intestinal stem cells

[Cell Reports] Using a Lgr5-2A-DTR model, which ablates Lgr5+ cells with near-complete efficiency and retains endogenous levels of Lgr5 expression, researchers showed that persistent depletion of Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells in fact compromised small intestinal epithelial integrity and reduced epithelial turnover in vivo.

[Nature Communications] Scientists report that CREPT, a recently identified tumor-promoting protein, was required for the maintenance of murine intestinal stem cells. CREPT was preferably expressed in the crypts but not in the villi.

[Nature Communications] The authors showed that dietary raffinose metabolism to fructose couples stress-induced gut microbial remodeling to intestinal stem cells renewal and epithelial homeostasis.

[Nature Communications] Investigators identified the histone methyltransferase Mll1 as a regulator of Wnt-driven intestinal cancer. Mll1 is highly expressed in Lgr5+ stem cells and human colon carcinomas with increased nuclear β-catenin.

[Stem Cell Reports] Researchers found that Bach2 deficiency promotes intestinal epithelial cell proliferation during homeostasis. Moreover, genetic inactivation of Bach2 in mouse intestinal epithelium facilitated crypt regeneration after irradiation, resulting in a reduction in mortality.

[Drug Metabolism and Disposition] Matched human enteroid and colonoid lines, generated from ileal and colon biopsies from two donors, were cultured in extracellular matrix for three days, followed by a single 48h treatment with rifampin, omeprazole, CITCO and phenytoin at concentrations that induce target genes in hepatocytes.