Paneth cells constitute the niche for Lgr5 stem cells in intestinal crypts

ABSTRACT: Homeostasis of self-renewing small intestinal crypts results from neutral competition between Lgr5 stem cells, small cycling cells located at crypt bottoms1, 2. Lgr5 stem cells are interspersed between terminally differentiated Paneth cells, that are known to produce bactericidal products such as lysozyme and cryptdins/defensins3. Single Lgr5-expressing stem cells can be cultured to form long-lived, self-organizing crypt-villus organoids in the absence of non-epithelial niche cells4. Here, we note a close physical association of Lgr5 stem cells with Paneth cells in vivo and in vitro. CD24+ Paneth cells express EGF, TGF?, Wnt3 and the Notch-ligand Dll4, all essential signals for stem cell maintenance in culture. Co-culturing of sorted stem cells with Paneth cells dramatically improves orga

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

SUBMITTER: Daniel Stange 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-25109 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress