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Expression of growth regulatory genes in a SCID mouse–human model of intestinal epithelial regeneration
Author(s) -
Sattar Abid,
Robson Stephen C.,
Patel Hitendra R. H.,
Angus Brian,
Campbell Frederick C.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9896(199901)187:2<229::aid-path218>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - regeneration (biology) , biology , crypt , histogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , epithelium , intestinal epithelium , cell growth , cellular differentiation , immunology , gene , pathology , immunohistochemistry , genetics , endocrinology , medicine
Analysis of human intestinal epithelial regeneration has been limited. This study has used a novel SCID mouse–human model to test the hypothesis that distinct stages of human intestinal epithelial regeneration are accompanied by differential expression of growth regulatory genes. Disaggregated epithelium, which included crypt cell aggregates, was isolated from human fetal small intestine and transplanted subcutaneously in SCID mice. This method induced a coordinated regeneration response and enabled temporal separation of cell populations at different stages of histogenesis and cytodifferentiation. Graft epithelium was identified using a specific anti‐human monoclonal antibody (MAb 5D3) against cytokeratins 8 and 18. Functional epithelial lineages were identified by appropriate markers. Growth regulatory genes relevant to proliferation and apoptosis, including Bcl‐2, p53 and Ki67, were assayed at different stages of regeneration. During early regeneration, Bcl‐2, p53, and Ki67 were expressed throughout the epithelial compartment. On completion of regeneration, these genes were expressed only in crypt epithelium and were absent from villi. This study has established a novel SCID mouse–human model of intestinal epithelial regeneration. During early regeneration, increased Bcl‐2 and Ki67 expression may indicate suppression of apoptosis and enhanced proliferation respectively, consistent with expansion of the stem cell fraction. The p53 gene may influence pathways of differentiation during regeneration, analogous to its role during development. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.