Intestinal Cell News Volume 1.02 | Mar 27 2015

miR-30-HNF4γ and miR-194-NR2F2 Regulatory Networks Contribute to the Upregulation of Metaplasia Markers in the Stomach
Investigators performed miRNA profiling using a quantitative reverse transcription-PCR approach on laser capture microdissected human intestinal metaplasia and spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia and they identified several genes as potential targets of miRNAs altered during metaplasia progression. [Gut] Abstract

Dynamic Regulation of the Cancer Stem Cell Compartment by Cripto-1 in Colorectal Cancer
The authors found Cripto-1 silencing induced cancer stem cell (CSC) growth arrest in vitro with a concomitant decrease of Src/Akt signaling, while in vivo it inhibited the growth of CSC-derived tumor xenografts and reduced CSC numbers. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

The Matricellular Protein CCN1 Promotes Mucosal Healing in Murine Colitis through IL-6
Researchers found that Ccn1^dm/dm mice exhibited high mortality, impaired mucosal healing, and diminished interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression during the repair phase of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis compared with wild-type mice, despite having comparable severity of initial inflammation and tissue injury. CCN1-induced IL-6 expression in macrophages through integrin α_Mβ₂ and in fibroblasts through α₆β₁, and IL-6 promoted intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Sequential Expression of miR-182 and miR-503 Cooperatively Targets FBXW7, Contributing to the Malignant Transformation of Colon Adenoma to Adenocarcinoma
Scientists showed that miR-182 and miR-503 undergo sequential up-regulation and drive the progression of colon adenoma to adenocarcinoma by cooperatively down-regulating the tumor suppressor FBXW7. [J Pathol] Abstract

The Effects of Folic Acid on Global DNA Methylation and Colonosphere Formation in Colon Cancer Cell Lines
Researchers investigated the potential effects of folic acid (FA) exposure on DNA methylation and colonosphere formation in cultured human colorectal cancer cell lines. They showed, for the first time, that HCT116, LS174T, and SW480 cells grown without adequate FA demonstrate significantly impaired colonosphere forming ability with limited changes in CD133, CD166, and EpCAM surface expression. [J Nutr Biochem] Full Article

Activation of Intestinal Epithelial Stat3 Orchestrates Tissue Defense during Gastrointestinal Infection
Investigators directly demonstrated a critical role for Stat3 activation in intestinal epithelial cells upon infection of mice with Citrobacter rodentium. [PLoS One] Full Article

Suppression of DACH1 Promotes Migration and Invasion of Colorectal Cancer via Activating TGF-β-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Researchers identified DACH1 as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer (CRC). Suppression of DACH1 strikingly increased cell growth, migration and invasion potential of CRC cell line SW480. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

INTESTINAL STEM CELL & ORGANOID RESEARCH

Suppressor of Deltex Mediates ​Pez Degradation and Modulates Drosophila Midgut Homeostasis
Scientists report that ​Suppressor of Deltex (​Su(dx)) acts as a negative regulator of ​Pez. They showed that ​Su(dx) targets ​Pez for degradation both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of ​Su(dx) induces proliferation in the fly midgut epithelium, which can be rescued by overexpressed ​Pez. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Glutamine and Alanyl-Glutamine Promote Crypt Expansion and mTOR Signaling in Murine Enteroids
Scientists showed that L-alanyl-L-glutamine (ALA-GLN), a stable glutamine dipeptide, protects mice against jejunal crypt depletion in the setting of dietary protein and fat deficiency. Separately, they showed that murine crypt cultures (enteroids) derived from the jejunum require GLN or ALA-GLN to maximally expand. [Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol] Abstract

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Accellta Grants Exclusive Rights for Micro-Carrier Free Stem Cells Suspension Culture to STEMCELL Technologies
Accellta announced that it has granted exclusive worldwide rights to STEMCELL Technologies Inc. for manufacturing and distribution of medium for culturing pluripotent stem cells in suspension under feeder-free, non-adherent conditions. [Accellta Ltd.] Press Release

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Scientist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Functional Role of Intestinal Macrophages (University of Massachusetts Medical School)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – New Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (Cornell University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Innate Immunity and Intestinal Inflammation (Yale University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Intestinal Epithelial Cell-Innate Immune Crosstalk (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus)

Assistant Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of Nebraska Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – Microbiota in Cancer (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

Assistant/Associate Professors – Gastroenterology (North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine)

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