title: Stem Cells in the Intestine: Possible Roles in Pathogenesis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that significantly impair quality of life in patients. Current available treatments are still not effective and the pathophysiology of this condition remains unclearly defined. Recently, research on intestinal stem cells has greatly advanced our understanding of various GI disorders. Alterations in conserved stem cell regulatory pathways such as Notch, Wnt, and bone morphogenic protein/TGF- β have been well documented in diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer. Interaction between intestinal stem cells and various signals from their environment is important for the control of stem cell self-renewal, regulation of number and function of specific intestinal cell types, and maintenance of the mucosal barrier. Besides their roles in stem cell regulation, these signals are also known to have potent effects on immune cells, enteric nervous system and secretory cells in the gut, and may be responsible for various aspects of pathogenesis of functional GI disorders, including visceral hypersensitivity, altered gut motility and low grade gut inflammation. In this article, we briefly summarize the components of these signaling pathways, how they can be modified by extrinsic factors and novel treatments, and provide evidenced support of their roles in the inflammation processes. Furthermore, we propose how changes in these signals may contribute to the symptom development and pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell and Cell Therapy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.|Department of Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sutheera
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ratanasirintrawoot
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell and Cell Therapy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.|Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nipan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Israsena
keywords: Intestinal stem cells; Irritable bowel syndrome; Notch; Transforming growth factor beta; Wnt