Prominin-1/CD133 marks stem cells and early progenitors in mouse small intestine

Area of Science:

• Gastrointestinal biology
• Stem cell research
• Cellular lineage tracing

Background:

• Prominin-1 (Prom1)/CD133 is a known marker for stem cells in various adult tissues.
• Leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) marks intestinal stem cells responsible for gastrointestinal epithelium regeneration.
• The relationship between Prom1 and Lgr5 in the intestine requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the intestinal expression pattern of Prominin-1 (Prom1)/CD133.
• To determine if Prom1 is a specific marker for Lgr5(+) intestinal stem cells.
• To visualize and trace Prom1-expressing cells in the intestine.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Prom1 mRNA and protein expression in intestinal crypt stem cells.
• Generation of Prominin-1 (Prom1)/CD133 knock-in mice (Prom1(-mCherry-IRES-CreERT2) KI) for cell tracing.
• Utilizing tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 recombinase for genetic lineage tracing of Prom1-positive cells.

Main Results:

• Prom1 mRNA expression was observed throughout the lower half of intestinal crypts.
• Prom1 protein was detected on Lgr5(+) intestinal stem cells and transit-amplifying progenitors.
• Prominin-1 (Prom1) marks a broader stem cell/transit-amplifying progenitor compartment than previously recognized.

Conclusions:

• Prominin-1 (Prom1) is expressed in both intestinal stem cells and transit-amplifying progenitors.
• Prominin-1 (Prom1) is not a specific marker exclusively for Lgr5(+) intestinal stem cells.
• The findings refine the understanding of cell surface markers in intestinal stem cell identification.