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Review
. 2021 Jul 19:9:685665.
doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.685665. eCollection 2021.

Source and Impact of the EGF Family of Ligands on Intestinal Stem Cells

Helen E Abud  1   2 , Wing Hei Chan  1   2 , Thierry Jardé  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Source and Impact of the EGF Family of Ligands on Intestinal Stem Cells

Helen E Abud et al. Front Cell Dev Biol. .

Abstract

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) has long been known for its role in promoting proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells. EGF is produced by epithelial niche cells at the base of crypts in vivo and is routinely added to the culture medium to support the growth of intestinal organoids ex vivo. The recent identification of diverse stromal cell populations that reside underneath intestinal crypts has enabled the characterization of key growth factor cues supplied by these cells. The nature of these signals and how they are delivered to drive intestinal epithelial development, daily homeostasis and tissue regeneration following injury are being investigated. It is clear that aside from EGF, other ligands of the family, including Neuregulin 1 (NRG1), have distinct roles in supporting the function of intestinal stem cells through the ErbB pathway.

Keywords: Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB; intestinal stem cells; neuregulin 1; niche; organoids; signaling; tissue regeneration.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Diagram outlining the members of the EGF family of ligands and their respective receptors. Dimeric receptors activate downstream PI3K-AKT, MAPK, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Schematic diagram depicting the expression of ligands and receptors within the different cellular compartments of the intestinal crypt during normal homeostasis and following regeneration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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