Mitogenic Influence of Human R-Spondin1 on the Intestinal Epithelium

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1112521
• Publication Date: 2005-08-18T21:03:34Z
• Authors: Kyung-Ah Kim; Makoto Kakitani; Jingsong Zhao; Takeshi Oshima; Tom Tang; Minke Binnerts; Yi Liu; Bryan Boyle; Emily Park; Peter Emtage; Walter D. Funk; Kazuma Tomizuka
• Keywords: Intestinal epithelium; Gastrointestinal epithelium

Several described growth factors influence the proliferation and regeneration of intestinal epithelium. Using a transgenic mouse model, we identified human gene, R-spondin1, with potent specific proliferative effects on crypt cells. Human R-spondin1 (hRSpo1) is thrombospondin domain-containing protein expressed in enteroendocrine cells as well epithelial various tissues. Upon injection into mice, induced rapid onset cell involving beta-catenin stabilization, possibly by process that distinct from canonical Wnt-mediated signaling pathway. The also displayed efficacy model chemotherapy-induced mucositis may have therapeutic application gastrointestinal diseases.