epithelial cells

[Nature Communications] Scientists developed a live cell ratiometric fluorescent Optical Stem Cell Activity Reporter (OSCAR). Using the small intestinal crypt as a model, OSCAR revealed in real time the dynamics of dormancy induction and cellular differentiation in vitro, and allowed for the identification and isolation of several populations of transcriptionally diverse OSCARhigh and OSCARlow intestinal epithelial cell states in vivo.

[Scientific Reports] Investigators generated CYP3A4-expressing Caco-2 cells and attempted to establish a model that could simultaneously evaluate drug absorption and metabolism.

[Current Opinion in Genetics & Development] The authors review recent advances within intestinal regenerative biology and the emerging concept of fetal-like reprogramming, in which the adult intestinal epithelium transiently enters a repair-associated state reminiscent of ontologically pre-existing stages.

[Mucosal Immunology] Scientists review the biology of Inositol-requiring enzyme 1β (IRE1β), an ER-resident endonuclease and paralogue of the most evolutionarily conserved ER stress sensor IRE1α.

[Science Advances] Researchers developed a reproducible two-step protocol to induce human pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into highly expandable human intestinal epithelial cells (hIECs) progenitors and a functional hIEC monolayer exhibiting intestinal molecular features, cell type diversity, and high activities of intestinal transporters and metabolic enzymes such as cytochrome P450 3A4.

[Marine Drugs] The impact of surface charge on the delivery of 5-ASA loaded PLGA nanoparticles into the lumen of organoids was investigated. Alginate and chitosan were used to coat the nanoparticles and provide negative and positive charges on the particles, respectively.