An update on the pathophysiology of the intestinal crypt

SummaryThe epithelial cells of the intestinal crypts enable the gut to perform its physiological functions. The intestinal stem cell is responsible for maintaining the epithelial cell population of the crypts. Little is known of the stem cells in terms of their identity, numbers and locations within the crypts. The accumulation of genetic mutations within stem cells and the subsequent spread of these mutated clones of cells leads to the growth of adenomas. This article will focus on the maintenance of the cell population of the intestinal crypts by the intestinal stem cell, and will consider the evidence relating to stem cell identity, location and function, the molecular regulation of stem cell function and the development and growth of epithelial tumours within the gastrointestinal tract.