Lymphatic capillaries regulate intestinal lining regeneration
Lymphatic capillaries are key to mediating stem cell differentiation in the intestines, and researchers find they produce key proteins to control this mechanism.
Intestinal tissue needs to be continuously regenerated and replaced to fulfill the intestine’s role as a barrier to pathogens whilst absorbing essential nutrients. The underlying communication pathway of this mechanism is not fully understood, but a recent study published in Cell Stem Cell by researchers at The Rockefeller University (NY, USA), finds that lymphatic capillaries act as the signaling hub in this mechanism.
Epithelial stem cells in the intestine are responsible for the constant tissue repair needed. Depending on the local microenvironment, known as niches, stem cells either differentiate into specialized cells to replace the intestinal lining or renew and replenish the reserve of stem cells. If there is poor coordination of this mechanism, intestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease or certain cancers can occur.
“The key to treating these diseases will be to figure out who talks to whom in this ecosystem and how we can reset the communication networks,” explained Rachel Niec, the first author of the study.
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