Frizzled 7 modulates goblet and Paneth cell fate, and maintains homeostasis in mouse intestine

Intestinal homeostasis depends on interactions between the intestinal epithelium, the immune system and the microbiota. Because of these complicated connections, there are many problems that need to be solved. Current research has indicated that genes targeted by Wnt signaling are responsible for controlling intestinal stem cell fate and for modulating intestinal homeostasis. Our data show that loss of frizzled 7 (Fzd7), an important element in Wnt signaling, interrupts the differentiation of mouse intestinal stem cells into absorptive progenitors instead of secretory progenitors (precursors of goblet and Paneth cells). The alteration in canonical Wnt and Notch signaling pathways interrupts epithelial homeostasis, resulting in a decrease in physical protection in the intestine. Several phenotypes in our Fzd7-deleted model were similar to the features of enterocolitis, such as shortened intestines, decreased numbers of goblet cells and Paneth cells, and severe inflammation. Additionally, loss of Fzd7 exacerbated the defects in a chemical-induced colitis model and could initiate tumorigenesis. These findings may provide important information for the discovery of efficient therapeutic methods to treat enterocolitis and related cancers in the intestines.