INTESTINAL CANCERS & DISEASES A Microfluidics-Based In Vitro Model of the Gastrointestinal Human–Microbe Interface Scientists present a modular, microfluidics-based model, which allows co-culture of human and microbial cells under conditions representative of the gastrointestinal human–microbe interface. [Nat Commun] Full Article Opposing Roles of Nuclear Receptor HNF4α Isoforms in Colitis and Colitis-Associated Colon Cancer Investigators showed that P1-HNF4α is expressed primarily in the differentiated compartment of the mouse colonic crypt and P2-HNF4α in the proliferative compartment. [eLife] Abstract | Download Full Article FOXM1 and FOXQ1 Are Promising Prognostic Biomarkers and Novel Targets of Tumor Suppressive miR-342 in Human Colorectal Cancer The authors performed a systematic and comprehensive discovery step by evaluating the expression of FOX family members, and identified that FOXM1 and FOXQ1 are frequently overexpressed in colorectal cancer. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract Cancer Stem-Like Properties in Colorectal Cancer Cells with Low Proteasome Activity Investigators elucidated the relationship between low proteasome activity cells (LPACs) and cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). LPACs have characteristic treatment resistance and act as CSCs in colorectal cancer. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract Non-Tumor Tissue Derived Interleukin-17B Activates IL-17RB/AKT/β-Catenin Pathway to Enhance the Stemness of Gastric Cancer Scientists confirmed that the expression of interleukin (IL)-17RB in gastric cancer tissues was significantly increased, that overexpression was associated with poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients, and that overexpression was positively correlated with some stemness markers. [Sci Rep] Full Article An Oncogenic Role of miR-592 in Tumorigenesis of Human Colorectal Cancer by Targeting Forkhead Box O3A (FoxO3A) Researchers interrogated the biological significance of miR-592 in colorectal cancer (CRC). A striking upregulation of miR-592 was observed in CRC tissues and cell lines compared to the matched adjacent non-tumor tissues and normal colon cells. [Expert Opin Ther Targets] Abstract Cellular Zinc Is Required for Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Maintenance via the Regulation of Claudin-3 and Occludin Expression The authors investigated the essential roles of intracellular zinc in the preservation of intestinal tight junction integrity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. [Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol] Abstract INTESTINAL STEM CELL & ORGANOID RESEARCH Suppression of Intestinal Tumors by Targeting the Mitotic Spindle of Intestinal Stem Cells Using organoid cultures established from conditional knockout mice and in vitro gene ablation, scientists showed that adenomatous polyposis coli inactivation led to aberrant intestinal stem cells proliferation and the expansion of the crypt domain. [Oncogene] Abstract |