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Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells

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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,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Improved Swiss-rolling Technique for Intestinal Tissue Preparation for Immunohistochemical and Immunofluorescent Analyses

Improved Swiss-rolling Technique for Intestinal Tissue Preparation for Immunohistochemical and Immunofluorescent Analyses

Published on: July 13, 2016

The intestinal stem cell.

Nick Barker¹, Marc van de Wetering, Hans Clevers

¹Hubrecht Institute and University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584CT Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Genes & Development

|July 17, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Adult intestinal stem cells in the crypt are crucial for tissue renewal. This review covers four decades of research on their biology and function within the intestinal epithelium.

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Improved Swiss-rolling Technique for Intestinal Tissue Preparation for Immunohistochemical and Immunofluorescent Analyses

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Published on: July 13, 2016

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The 3D Culturing of Organoids from Murine Intestinal Crypts and a Single Stem Cell for Organoid Research

The 3D Culturing of Organoids from Murine Intestinal Crypts and a Single Stem Cell for Organoid Research

Published on: April 7, 2023

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Stem Cell Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

The adult mammalian intestinal epithelium undergoes continuous renewal.
This renewal is directed by interactions between the epithelium and underlying mesenchyme.
Distinct epithelial compartments manage proliferation, differentiation, and cell death.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of research on intestinal crypt stem cells.
To highlight the importance of stem cells in intestinal self-renewal.
To discuss the accessibility of intestinal crypts as a model for stem cell biology.

Main Methods:

Literature review of four decades of research.
Analysis of studies on adult stem cell biology.
Examination of intestinal crypt anatomy and function.

Main Results:

Intestinal stem cells, recently identified, drive the self-renewal of the intestinal epithelium.
The intestinal crypt serves as an accessible model for studying adult stem cell biology.
Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are key to regulating progenitor cells.

Conclusions:

Adult intestinal stem cells are fundamental to maintaining the intestinal epithelium.
The intestinal crypt provides a powerful system for investigating stem cell dynamics.
Understanding these stem cells is vital for regenerative medicine and disease research.