Foxl1-Expressing Mesenchymal Cells Constitute the Intestinal Stem Cell Niche

Abstract

Killing Foxl1⁺ cells by diphtheria toxin administration led to an abrupt cessation of proliferation of both epithelial stem- and transit-amplifying progenitor-cell populations that was associated with a loss of active Wnt signaling to the intestinal epithelium. Therefore, Foxl1-expressing mesenchymal cells constitute the fundamental niche for intestinal stem cells.