Cell-matrisome interactions as a key component of the intestinal stem cell niche

肠道内只有一层上皮细胞，确保营养物质的吸收。为了克服肠道环境的累积损害，这些细胞在我们的一生中会迅速补充。位于腺体下部的干细胞群负责不断产生新细胞。与其他器官一样，肠道中的干细胞被限制在微环境受到严格调控的特定区域：壁龛。在过去的十年里，我们对肠道干细胞生态位的组织结构的了解在描述调节茎的可溶性效应方面取得了显着的进展。然而，关于肠道干细胞生态位组织的几个问题仍然悬而未决。例如：干细胞是如何固定在腺体底部的？是什么机制调节了生态位中存在的不同类型干细胞之间的动态平衡？

The intestine is lined with a single layer of epithelial cells that ensure nutrient uptake. To overcome cumulative damages from the intestinal environment, these cells are replenished rapidly throughout our lifetime. A stem cell population, located in the lower region of the glands, is responsible for the continual production of new cells. As in other organs, stem cells in the intestine are confined to a specific region where the microenvironment is tightly regulated: the niche. Our knowledge about the organization of the intestinal stem cell niche has significantly progressed over the last decade for the characterization of the soluble effectors that regulate stemness. However, several questions about intestinal stem cell niche organization remain open. For instance: How do stem cells remain anchored at the base of the glands? What are the mechanisms that regulate the homeostasis between the different types of stem cells present in the niche?