Stem cells in homeostasis and cancer of the gut
Open Access
- 29 March 2019
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Molecular Cancer
- Vol. 18 (1), 66
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-019-0962-x
Abstract
The intestinal epithelial lining is one of the most rapidly renewing cell populations in the body. As a result, the gut has been an attractive model to resolve key mechanisms in epithelial homeostasis. In particular the role of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) in the renewal process has been intensely studied. Interestingly, as opposed to the traditional stem cell theory, the ISC is not a static population but displays significant plasticity and in situations of tissue regeneration more differentiated cells can revert back to a stem cell state upon exposure to extracellular signals. Importantly, normal intestinal homeostasis provides important insight into mechanisms that drive colorectal cancer (CRC) development and growth. Specifically, the dynamics of cancer stem cells bear important resemblance to ISC functionality. In this review we present an overview of the current knowledge on ISCs in homeostasis and their role in malignant transformation. Also, we discuss the existence of stem cells in intestinal adenomas and CRC and how these cells contribute to (pre-)malignant growth. Furthermore, we will focus on new paradigms in the field of dynamical cellular hierarchies in CRC and the intimate relationship between tumor cells and their niche.Keywords
Funding Information
- KWF Kankerbestrijding (UVA2011-4969, UVA2014-7245 and 10529)
- New York Stem Cell Foundation
- Maag Lever Darm Stichting (MLDS-CDG 14-03)
- ZonMw (Vidi 016.156.308)
- H2020 European Research Council (ERG-StG 638193)
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