Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells01:23

Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells

The intestinal epithelial lining rapidly renews every 4 to 5 days. The renewal is facilitated by intestinal stem cells (ISCs) located at the base of the crypt– a gland located at the bottom of each villus. ISCs divide asymmetrically to form new stem cells and progenitor daughter cells. The daughter cells are called transit-amplifying (TA) cells which move upwards along the crypt and either differentiate into absorptive cells– the enterocytes or secretory cells– including the goblet,...
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
Diverticular Disease of the Colon01:27

Diverticular Disease of the Colon

Diverticular disease involves the formation of diverticula—small sac-like outpouchings of the colonic wall—and their complications. It most commonly affects the sigmoid colon due to higher intraluminal pressure and structural vulnerability. It results from structural weakness and increased pressure in the colon, producing pseudodiverticula that may remain silent or progress to inflammation and serious complications.Structure of DiverticulaIn diverticulosis, these outpouchings are...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Resection of large, broad-based pedunculated and semi-pedunculated colorectal polyps using a scissor-type endoscopic submucosal dissection knife.

Endoscopy international open·2026
Same author

Negative Selection Maintains Grossly Altered but Broadly Stable Karyotypes in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Cancer discovery·2026
Same author

Correction: Inhibition of astrocyte signaling leads to sex-specific changes in microglia phenotypes in a diet-based model of cerebral small vessel disease.

Journal of neuroinflammation·2025
Same author

Central cytometabolic functional vascular coupling in health and disease.

npj metabolic health and disease·2025
Same author

The Role of Video Capsule Endoscopy in Hereditary Polyposis Syndromes: A Narrative Review.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Astrovascular decoupling in awake 5×FAD mice is associated with reduced astrocytic calcium.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
07:33

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors

Published on: May 17, 2013

Colonic crypt organization and tumorigenesis.

Adam Humphries1, Nicholas A Wright

  • 1Histopathology Lab, London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK. Adam.Humphries@cancer.org.uk

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|May 16, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Understanding colonic crypt organization is key to comprehending colon cancer. Stem cells within crypts regenerate intestinal cells, and studying their mutations offers new insights into cancer origins.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Colonic crypts are crucial microenvironments housing multipotent stem cells.
  • These stem cells are responsible for regenerating all intestinal cell lineages.
  • Disruptions in stem cell behavior are implicated in colorectal cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of colonic crypt organization in tumorigenesis.
  • To review recent advances in understanding stem cell dynamics within intestinal crypts.
  • To explore novel theories on the origins of colonic adenomas and cancers based on stem cell mutations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on colonic crypt biology and stem cell function.
  • Analysis of recent findings on mutation fixation and expansion in the intestinal epithelium.

More Related Videos

Cryosectioning Method for Microdissection of Murine Colonic Mucosa
06:16

Cryosectioning Method for Microdissection of Murine Colonic Mucosa

Published on: July 12, 2015

Three-Dimensional Culture of Murine Colonic Crypts to Study Intestinal Stem Cell Function Ex Vivo
07:46

Three-Dimensional Culture of Murine Colonic Crypts to Study Intestinal Stem Cell Function Ex Vivo

Published on: October 11, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
07:33

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors

Published on: May 17, 2013

Cryosectioning Method for Microdissection of Murine Colonic Mucosa
06:16

Cryosectioning Method for Microdissection of Murine Colonic Mucosa

Published on: July 12, 2015

Three-Dimensional Culture of Murine Colonic Crypts to Study Intestinal Stem Cell Function Ex Vivo
07:46

Three-Dimensional Culture of Murine Colonic Crypts to Study Intestinal Stem Cell Function Ex Vivo

Published on: October 11, 2022

  • Synthesis of new theoretical models for colorectal cancer initiation.

    • Main Results:

    • Colonic crypts serve as essential niches for tissue-specific stem cells.
    • Stem cell mutations can become fixed and expand, driving epithelial changes.
    • This understanding provides a basis for new theories on colorectal adenoma and cancer origins.

    Conclusions:

    • Colonic crypt organization is fundamental to understanding colon cancer.
    • Advances in stem cell biology are revolutionizing theories of colorectal tumorigenesis.
    • Further research into crypt stem cell dynamics is crucial for cancer prevention and treatment.