Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have uncovered a novel communication system in the gut, where support cells known as telocytes use fine extensions to deliver signals directly to intestinal stem cells. This discovery, published in the journal Developmental Cell, challenges previous assumptions about gut maintenance and regeneration, potentially leading to improved treatments for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colon cancer.
The intestinal lining, one of the body’s most active tissues, renews itself every few days through stem cells located in crypts within the gut lining. Previously, it was believed that chemical signals, called Wnts, reached these stem cells through diffusion. However, the study reveals that telocytes deliver these signals with precision, akin to neurons in the brain. Professor David Virshup from Duke-NUS explained, “We discovered that these signals aren’t just drifting through tissue. They’re being delivered with surprising precision from the niche to the stem cells by specialised cells or telocytes.”
Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers observed telocytes in the mouse intestine using cytonemes—long, thin extensions—to deliver Wnts directly to stem cells. This neuron-like behaviour in gut cells offers a new understanding of organ maintenance. Assistant Professor Alexander Ludwig from NTU Singapore noted, “It’s a striking example of how imaging at different scales coupled with new protein tagging approaches can uncover novel mechanisms and change paradigms.”
The study also highlights the role of proteins KANK and Liprin in forming cytonemes. Disruptions in these proteins affected the Wnt transport system, underscoring the importance of this precise communication. Professor Patrick Tan from Duke-NUS emphasised the broader implications, stating, “This discovery could change how we approach tissue repair and regenerative medicine.”
The findings suggest that harnessing this communication system could enhance stem cell therapies and lead to more targeted treatments for gut-related diseases.
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