CREPT is required for murine stem cell maintenance during intestinal regeneration

Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 11;12(1):270. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20636-9.

Abstract

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) residing in the crypts are critical for the continual self-renewal and rapid recovery of the intestinal epithelium. The regulatory mechanism of ISCs is not fully understood. Here we report that CREPT, a recently identified tumor-promoting protein, is required for the maintenance of murine ISCs. CREPT is preferably expressed in the crypts but not in the villi. Deletion of CREPT in the intestinal epithelium of mice (Vil-CREPTKO) results in lower body weight and slow migration of epithelial cells in the intestine. Vil-CREPTKO intestine fails to regenerate after X-ray irradiation and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) treatment. Accordingly, the deletion of CREPT decreases the expression of genes related to the proliferation and differentiation of ISCs and reduces Lgr5+ cell numbers at homeostasis. We identify that CREPT deficiency downregulates Wnt signaling by impairing β-catenin accumulation in the nucleus of the crypt cells during regeneration. Our study provides a previously undefined regulator of ISCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / deficiency
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Epithelium / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Humans
  • Intestines / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasm Proteins / deficiency
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Organoids / metabolism
  • Regeneration / physiology*
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway
  • X-Rays
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • CREPT protein, mouse
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • beta Catenin