The intestinal epithelial stem cell.
This article considers the role of the adult epithelial stem cell, with particular reference to the intestinal epithelial stem cell. Although the potential of adult stem cells has been revealed in a number of recent publications, the organization and control of the stem cell hierarchy in epithelial tissues is still not fully understood. The intestinal epithelium is an excellent model in which to study such hierarchies, having a distinctive polarity and high rate of cell proliferation and migration. Studies on the small intestinal crypt provide insight into the characteristics of the stem cells in normal and regenerating circumstances and demonstrate why a thorough understanding of these cells is an essential pre-requisite for stem cell based therapeutic approaches.
Marshman
Emma
E
School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Booth
Catherine
C
Potten
Christopher S
CS
D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin
C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin; D004247:DNA