Unlimited in vitro expansion of adult bi-potent pancreas progenitors through the Lgr5/Rspondin axis

ABSTRACT: Lgr5 marks adult stem cells in multiple adult organs and is a receptor for the Wnt-agonistic R-spondins (RSPOs). Intestinal, stomach and liver Lgr5+ stem cells grow in 3D cultures to form ever-expanding organoids, which resemble the tissues of origin. Wnt signaling is inactive and Lgr5 is not expressed under physiological conditions in the adult pancreas. However, we now report that the Wnt pathway is robustly activated upon injury by Partial Duct Ligation (PDL), concomitant with the appearance of Lgr5 expression in regenerating pancreatic ducts. In vitro, duct fragments from mouse pancreas initiate Lgr5 expression in RSPO1-based cultures, and develop into budding cyst-like structures (organoids) which expand 5-fold weekly for >40 weeks. Single isolated duct cells can also be cultured into

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

SUBMITTER: Meritxell Huch 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-50103 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress