Cell and molecular biology of the small intestine: new insights into differentiation, growth and repair.
OBJECTIVE
This paper will discuss recent research that has provided new insights into the molecular and cell biology of the small intestine.


RESULTS
Differentiation of the epithelial cell lineages, including the enterocytes, enteroendocrine, Goblet and Paneth cells, from the stem cells is better understood. Important interactions have been demonstrated between these cells, luminal bacteria, and underlying mesenchymal tissue. Intestine-specific gene expression is regulated by transcription factors that are becoming well characterized, including CDX1, CDX2 and HNF1. The actions of growth factors such as GLP-2 and EGF are now known to be complex, demonstrating multiple effects in this tissue at a number of levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Progress in the cellular and molecular biology of the small intestine is producing many intriguing new findings.
Walters
Julian R F
JR
Gastroenterology Section, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. julian.walters@imperial.ac.uk