AUTHOR=Abud Helen E. , Chan Wing Hei , Jardé Thierry 

TITLE=Source and Impact of the EGF Family of Ligands on Intestinal Stem Cells

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.685665

DOI=10.3389/fcell.2021.685665

ISSN=2296-634X

ABSTRACT=<p>Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) has long been known for its role in promoting proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells. EGF is produced by epithelial niche cells at the base of crypts <italic>in vivo</italic> and is routinely added to the culture medium to support the growth of intestinal organoids <italic>ex vivo</italic>. The recent identification of diverse stromal cell populations that reside underneath intestinal crypts has enabled the characterization of key growth factor cues supplied by these cells. The nature of these signals and how they are delivered to drive intestinal epithelial development, daily homeostasis and tissue regeneration following injury are being investigated. It is clear that aside from EGF, other ligands of the family, including Neuregulin 1 (NRG1), have distinct roles in supporting the function of intestinal stem cells through the ErbB pathway.</p>