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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

The Organoid Reconstitution Assay ORA for the Functional Analysis of Intestinal Stem and Niche Cells
Published on: November 20, 2017
The regulatory niche of intestinal stem cells
Badi Sri Sailaja1, Xi C He1, Linheng Li1,2
1Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.
Abstract:
The niche constitutes a unique category of cells that support the microenvironment for the maintenance and self-renewal of stem cells. Intestinal stem cells reside at the base of the crypt, which contains adjacent epithelial cells, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells, and soluble and cell-associated growth and differentiation factors. We summarize here recent advances in our understanding of the crucial role of the niche in regulating stem cells. The stem cell niche maintains a balance among quiescence, proliferation and regeneration of intestinal stem cells after injury. Mesenchymal cells, Paneth cells, immune cells, endothelial cells and neural cells are important regulatory components that secrete niche ligands, growth factors and cytokines. Intestinal homeostasis is regulated by niche signalling pathways, specifically Wnt, bone morphogenetic protein, Notch and epidermal growth factor. These insights into the regulatory stem cell niche during homeostasis and post-injury regeneration offer the potential to accelerate development of therapies for intestine-related disorders.
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