Radiation redux: reserve intestinal stem cells miss the call to duty

Cell Stem Cell. 2014 Feb 6;14(2):135-6. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2014.01.015.

Abstract

Distinct stem cell populations in intestinal crypts mediate tissue homeostasis and responses to epithelial damage such as radiation. Now in Cell Stem Cell, Metcalfe et al. (2014) demonstrate that homeostatic, proliferative Lrg5(+) cells are necessary to regenerate the epithelium after radiation, whereas quiescent Lgr5(-) reserve stem cells are surprisingly radiosensitive.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Intestines / physiology*
  • Intestines / radiation effects*
  • Radiation, Ionizing*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Regeneration*
  • Stem Cells / cytology*

Substances

  • Lgr5 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled