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Active β-Catenin Signaling in the Small Intestine of Humans During Infancy.
- Source :
-
Digestive diseases and sciences [Dig Dis Sci] 2019 Jan; Vol. 64 (1), pp. 76-83. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Oct 31. - Publication Year :
- 2019
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Abstract
- Background: Wnt-β-catenin signaling is essential for homeostasis of intestinal stem cells in mice and is thought to promote intestinal crypt fission.<br />Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate Wnt-β-catenin signaling in intestinal crypts of human infants.<br />Methods: Duodenal biopsies from nine infants (mean, range 0.9 years, 0.3-2 years) and 11 adults (mean, range 43 years, 34-71 years) were collected endoscopically. Active β-catenin signaling was assessed by cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin, nuclear c-Myc, and cytoplasmic Axin-2 expression in the base of crypts. Tissues were stained by an immunoperoxidase staining technique and quantified as pixel energy using cumulative signal analysis. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and significance assessed by Student's t test.<br />Results: Crypt fission was significantly higher in infants compared to adults (16 ± 8.6% versus 0.7 ± 0.6%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Expression of cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin was 1.8-fold (p < 0.0001) and 2.9-fold (p < 0.0001) higher in infants, respectively, while cytoplasmic Axin-2 was 3.1-fold (p < 0.0001) increased in infants. c-Myc expression was not significantly different between infants and adults. Expression was absent in Paneth cells but present in the transit amplifying zone of crypts. Crypt base columnar cells, which were intercalated between Paneth cells, expressed c-Myc.<br />Conclusions: Wnt-β-catenin signaling was active in crypt base columnar cells (i.e., intestinal stem cells) in human infants. This signaling could promote crypt fission during infancy. Wnt-β-catenin signaling likely acts in concert with other pathways to promote postnatal growth.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Axin Protein analysis
Duodenum growth & development
Female
Humans
Infant
Intestinal Mucosa growth & development
Male
Middle Aged
Paneth Cells chemistry
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc analysis
Stem Cells chemistry
Duodenum chemistry
Intestinal Mucosa chemistry
Wnt Signaling Pathway
beta Catenin analysis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1573-2568
- Volume :
- 64
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Digestive diseases and sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30382540
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-018-5286-y