Microenvironmental regulation of stem cells in intestinal homeostasis and cancer

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

387 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The identification of intestinal stem cells as well as their malignant counterparts, colon cancer stem cells, has undergone rapid development in recent years. Under physiological conditions, intestinal homeostasis is a carefully balanced and efficient interplay between stem cells, their progeny and the microenvironment. These interactions regulate the astonishingly rapid renewal of the intestinal epithelial layer, which consequently puts us at serious risk of developing cancer. Here we highlight the microenvironment-derived signals that regulate stem-cell fate and epithelial differentiation. As our understanding of normal intestinal crypt homeostasis grows, these developments may point towards new insights into the origin of cancer and the maintenance and regulation of cancer stem cells
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)318-326
JournalNATURE
Volume474
Issue number7351
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Cite this