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Stromal R-Spondin orchestrates gastric epithelial homeostasis in health and disease

ABSTRACT: Gastric epithelial stem cells are responsible for constant epithelial self-renewal, which is accelerated by infection with the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. However, the mechanism that regulates stem cell turnover in the stomach remains unknown. Here we show that signaling by R-spondin 3 and Wnt hierarchically organizes the stem cell compartment in the antrum, producing two Wnt-responsive populations, which are either Lgr5+ve or Axin2 +ve. The positional identity of the Axin2+ve population relies on R-spondin 3 produced by stromal myofibroblasts. Increased availability of R-spondin induces hyperproliferation through specific expansion of Axin2+ve but not Lgr5+ve cells. Similarly, infection with H. pylori induces an increase in stromal R-spondin 3 expression, resulting in hyperplasia as well as shedding of bacteria that have entered the gland. This identifies a role for stromal cells in environmental sensing to orchestrate epithelial homeostasis via Wnt signaling.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE79494 | GEO | 2017/06/30

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA315983

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:The gastrointestinal epithelial crypts are clonal units with a high cell turnover, driven by a small population of long-lived, Lgr5-expressing stem cells located in the crypt base. Despite this, depletion of Lgr5+ cells does not lead to severe pathology. Instead, other cell populations, such as secretory and enterocyte precursors are able to de-differentiate, replace Lgr5+ cells, and regenerate the crypt. However, the signals that regulate this epithelial plasticity are not well understood. Here we illuminate the hierarchical organization and regulation of stem cell plasticity in the colonic crypt. Using in vivo lineage tracing, we find that the classic Wnt target gene Axin2 is expressed in colonic Lgr5+ cells and adjacent Lgr5-negative cells that give rise to entire crypts upon Lgr5+ cell depletion. The identity of Lgr5+ cells is controlled by by R-spondin 3 (Rspo3) produced by myofibroblasts and the recovery of Lgr5+ cells upon depletion required functional Rspo3 signaling. In contrast, expression of Axin2 and the reserve stem cell function of Axin2+ cells is not dependent on Rspo3. Accordingly, upon knockout of Rspo3, Lgr5-negative Axin2+ cells are able to compensate the loss of the Lgr5+ cell compartment and maintain epithelial integrity. In contrast, Rspo3 is essential for maintaining epithelial integrity in the context of injury of the entire Axin2+ cell pool, as observed in the context of DSS colitis. We demonstrate that DSS induces a progressive loss of the Lgr5+ stem cells as well as Axin2+ Lgr5-negative reserve stem cell compartment. While Rspo3 deficient animals are unable to withstand this injury, in Rspo3 competent animals, crypt homeostasis and regeneration are fueled by the remaining Axin2-negative, differentiated cells. These cells can be reprogrammed by Rspo3 to proliferate and act as stem cells. Thus, we identity Rspo3 as a major regulator of the Lgr5 stem cell signature. While loss of this signature can be compensated by Rspo3-independent reserve stem cells under healthy conditions, it is essential for re-establishment of epithelial integrity upon crypt injury.

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Stromal R-Spondin orchestrates gastric epithelial homeostasis in health and disease

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