Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are fundamental cornerstones in intestinal biology, ensuring homeostatic self-renewal of intestinal mucosa and presenting a reserve pool of cells that can be activated after tissue injury or after bowel resection. Intestinal stem cells are characterized by their ability to self-renew as well as to differentiate into specialized cells, properties critical for tissue maintenance and regeneration.
The regulation of ISC is made by four main signaling pathways Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Notch. We are investigating the roles of these signaling cascades in stimulation of cell proliferation and differentiation following intestinal IR and massive small bowel resection in a rat model which are unknown.