Intestinal Stem Cells: Regulation, Plasticity, and Therapeutic Potential

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are central to the maintenance and regeneration of the gut epithelium, supporting its rapid turnover and adaptive capacity. Recent advances, including the identification of LGR5⁺ stem cells, 3D in vitro organoid technology, and single-cell transcriptomics, have uncovered the remarkable heterogeneity and plasticity of ISCs and their niche. The ISC niche comprises dynamic interactions among epithelial, stromal, immune, and microbial components, enabling responses to injury and disease. Notably, both active and reserve stem cell pools, as well as progenitor and differentiated cells, can contribute to regeneration. These insights are shaping novel strategies for treating gastrointestinal diseases and cancers through personalized medicine.