A computational model reveals an early transient decrease in fiber cross-linking that unlocks adult regeneration.

The decline in regeneration efficiency after birth in mammals is a significant roadblock for regenerative medicine in tissue repair. We previously developed a computational agent based-model (ABM) that recapitulates mechanical interactions between cells and the extracellular-matrix (ECM), to investigate key drivers of tissue repair in adults. Time calibration alongside a parameter sensitivity analysis of the model suggested that an early and transient decrease in ECM cross-linking guides tissue repair toward regeneration.