PDGFRα⁺ pericryptal stromal cells are the critical source of Wnts and RSPO3 for murine intestinal stem cells in vivo.

ABSTRACT: Wnts and R-spondins (RSPOs) support intestinal homeostasis by regulating crypt cell proliferation and differentiation. Ex vivo, Wnts secreted by Paneth cells in organoids can regulate the proliferation and differentiation of Lgr5-expressing intestinal stem cells. However, in vivo, Paneth cell and indeed all epithelial Wnt production is completely dispensable, and the cellular source of Wnts and RSPOs that maintain the intestinal stem-cell niche is not known. Here we investigated both the source and the functional role of stromal Wnts and RSPO3 in regulation of intestinal homeostasis. RSPO3 is highly expressed in pericryptal myofibroblasts in the lamina propria and is several orders of magnitude more potent than RSPO1 in stimulating both Wnt/β-catenin signaling and organoid growth. S

SUBMITTER: Greicius G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5889626 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature