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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
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Author Spotlight: The 3D Culturing of Organoids from Murine Intestinal Crypts and a Single Stem Cell for Organoid Research
Published on: April 7, 2023
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Lgr5+ intestinal stem cell sorting and organoid culture
Ruixue Liu1, Haifeng Li1, Juan Cai1
1Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine The Ministry of Health Institute of Laboratory Animal Science (ILAS) Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Beijing P.R. China.
Animal Models and Experimental Medicine
|August 9, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a method to culture intestinal stem cells into organoids. This technique allows for the study of gastrointestinal development and diseases using lab-grown intestinal tissues.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs) are crucial for maintaining the intestinal lining, exhibiting rapid self-renewal.
- IESCs are located at the base of intestinal and colonic crypts.
- Three-dimensional (3D) culture techniques are emerging for studying gastrointestinal biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize methods for isolating Lgr5-positive IESCs.
- To describe the formation of intestinal and colon organoids from these cells.
- To present methods for assessing organoid function.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of Lgr5-positive intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs) from mouse intestine or colon.
- Establishment of 3D organoid cultures (enteroids from intestine, colonoids from colon).
- Functional assays to evaluate the characteristics of the generated organoids.
Main Results:
- Successful isolation of Lgr5-positive IESCs.
- Formation of viable enteroids and colonoids in vitro.
- Demonstration of methods to analyze the function of these intestinal organoids.
Conclusions:
- A practical protocol for generating intestinal organoids from IESCs is presented.
- This method facilitates the in vitro study of intestinal epithelial biology.
- The technique offers a valuable tool for research in gastrointestinal development and disease.
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