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Updated: Oct 14, 2025
07:53
Isolation of Enteric Glial Cells from the Submucosa and Lamina Propria of the Adult Mouse
Published on: August 15, 2018
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Enteric glial cell heterogeneity regulates intestinal stem cell niches
Meryem B Baghdadi1, Arshad Ayyaz2, Sabrina Coquenlorge1
1Program in Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
Cell Stem Cell
|November 2, 2021
Summary
Enteric glial cells (EGCs) regulate intestinal stem cell (ISC) repair. Specific GFAP+ EGCs expand after injury, promoting ISC self-renewal via WNT signaling, highlighting their niche role in regeneration and disease.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The adult intestine has high turnover, relying on stem cells in crypts.
- Enteric glial cells (EGCs) are abundant near stem cells, but their niche role is unclear.
- Understanding EGCs' role is crucial for intestinal regeneration and inflammatory bowel disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define EGC heterogeneity in homeostasis and inflammatory bowel disease.
- To investigate the in vivo role of EGCs in intestinal stem cell (ISC) function.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which EGCs regulate ISC repair.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse and human intestinal mucosa.
- Genetic ablation of specific EGC subpopulations.
- Analysis of GFAP+ EGC expansion and WNT ligand expression post-injury.
Main Results:
- EGC heterogeneity is regulated during homeostasis and inflammatory bowel disease.
- A subset of GFAP+ EGCs is essential for ISC repair potential.
- Injury induces GFAP+ EGC expansion, which promotes LGR5+ ISC self-renewal via WNT ligands.
Conclusions:
- EGCs are a key component of the intestinal stem cell niche.
- GFAP+ EGCs play a critical role in intestinal regeneration and disease.
- Dynamic EGC heterogeneity influences ISC function and tissue repair.
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