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Comment
. 2012 Jan 6;10(1):2-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2011.12.012.

Tales from the crypt: the expanding role of slow cycling intestinal stem cells

Diana L Carlone  1 , David T Breault
Affiliations
Comment

Tales from the crypt: the expanding role of slow cycling intestinal stem cells

Diana L Carlone et al. Cell Stem Cell. .

Abstract

Similar to other highly self-renewing tissues, the intestinal epithelium contains both slowly and rapidly cycling progenitor/stem cells, though their relationship has been largely unexplored. Two recent reports in Nature (Tian et al., 2011) and Science (Takeda et al., 2011) shed new light on their dynamic interplay.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
(a) Intestinal crypt under steady state conditions showing inter-conversion of slowly and rapidly cycling stem cells (bidirectional arrow) as well as the dominant contribution of rapidly cycling stem cells (bold red arrow) and minor contribution of slowly cycling stem cells in the +4 position (thin blue arrow). (b) Upon injury, rapidly cycling stem cells undergo apoptosis forcing slowly cycling stem cells to assume a dominant role (blue arrow). (c) During recovery from injury, slowly cycling stem cells give rise to the rapidly cycling population restoring homeostasis. Paneth cells, marked by dense granules, define the niche boundaries.
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