Self-renewal and cancer of the gut: two sides of a coin

F Radtke, H Clevers - Science, 2005 - science.org
F Radtke, H Clevers
Science, 2005science.org
The intestinal epithelium follows the paradigms of stem cell biology established for other self-
renewing tissues. With a unique topology, it constitutes a two-dimensional structure folded
into valleys and hills: the proliferative crypts and the differentiated villi. Its unprecedented self-
renewal rate appears reflected in a high susceptibility to malignant transformation. The
molecular mechanisms that control homeostatic self-renewal and those that underlie
colorectal cancer are remarkably symmetrical. Here, we discuss the biology of the intestinal …
The intestinal epithelium follows the paradigms of stem cell biology established for other self-renewing tissues. With a unique topology, it constitutes a two-dimensional structure folded into valleys and hills: the proliferative crypts and the differentiated villi. Its unprecedented self-renewal rate appears reflected in a high susceptibility to malignant transformation. The molecular mechanisms that control homeostatic self-renewal and those that underlie colorectal cancer are remarkably symmetrical. Here, we discuss the biology of the intestinal epithelium, emphasizing the roles played by Wnt, bone morphogenic protein, and Notch signaling cascades in epithelial self-renewal and cancer.
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