Scientists have discovered four distinct populations of specialized support cells that help maintain the intestine, one of the body’s fastest-renewing tissues. The intestinal lining completely rebuilds itself every few days, but researchers previously had limited understanding of how this process is coordinated. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and advanced imaging, the team found that Foxl1-lineage mesenchymal cells form a specialized network beneath the intestinal lining. Each cell population occupies a different location and produces unique signals that influence stem cells, tissue renewal, immune responses, and intestinal structure. The discovery could eventually help guide new approaches to treating intestinal injuries and inflammatory bowel disease.
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