New Findings from Chiba University Describe Advances in Apoptosis (Dual function of angiogenin-4 inducing intestinal stem cells and apoptosis).

A recent report from Chiba University in Japan discusses the role of angiogenin-4 (Ang4) in maintaining intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and inducing apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). The study found that Ang4, which is produced by Paneth cells in the small intestine and goblet cells in the colon, promotes the expansion of Lgr5+ ISCs and organoid growth through Wnt and Notch signaling. However, high concentrations of Ang4 also induce apoptosis in IECs. These findings suggest that Ang4 has a dual function in the crypt niche, both promoting ISC expansion and inducing apoptosis. [Extracted from the article]