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Intestinal stem cells – types and markers
Author(s) -
Zhang Zhigang,
Huang Jian
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
cell biology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1095-8355
pISSN - 1065-6995
DOI - 10.1002/cbin.10049
Subject(s) - lgr5 , stem cell , crypt , biology , intestinal epithelium , wnt signaling pathway , cancer stem cell , bmi1 , organoid , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell marker , adult stem cell , cellular differentiation , epithelium , genetics , signal transduction , gene , endocrinology
Intestinal epithelium is a rapidly cycling tissue, always renewing every 4–5 days under normal conditions, which is maintained by intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Using the fluorescence labelling trace, ISCs can be divided into two different types: active intestinal stem cells (A‐ISCs) located in bottom of the intestinal crypt and the quiescent intestinal stem cells (Q‐ISCs) in the +4 position of the crypt. There is a complex signal regulation net between the ISCs and other intestinal cells, such as Wnt and Notch pathways. ISCs have an intimate relationship with the colorectal cancer (CRC). However, a deficiency of stem cells markers severely limits research on the biological characteristics of ISCs. We have reviewed several ISCs markers, including Lgr5, PHLDA1, Bmi1 and Lrig1. These markers have widely different biological functions, but also have a close relationship with cancers, especially CRC. Our hypothesis concerns the reasons for ISCs having two distinct types and why endless ISCs markers have emerged.