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PMID: 22527717 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

The intestinal epithelium tuft cells: specification and function.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS ·Vol. 69 ·No. 17 ·2012-09-00 ·Pages 2907-17

Gerbe F, Legraverend C, Jay P

Abstract

The intestinal epithelium, composed of at least seven differentiated cell types, represents an extraordinary model to understand the details of multi-lineage differentiation, a question that is highly relevant in developmental biology as well as for clinical applications. This review focuses on intestinal epithelial tuft cells that have been acknowledged as a separate entity for more than 60 years but whose function remains a mystery. We discuss what is currently known about the molecular basis of tuft cell fate and differentiation and why elucidating tuft cell function has been so difficult. Finally, we summarize the current hypotheses on their potential involvement in diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract.

MeSH Terms
Animals Biomarkers/metabolism Cell Differentiation Cell Lineage Gastrointestinal Diseases/metabolism,pathology Humans Intestinal Mucosa/cytology,metabolism Microvilli/metabolism
Chemicals
Biomarkers
Authors & Affiliations
3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Gerbe François
CNRS UMR5203, 34094, Montpellier, France.
Legraverend Catherine
Jay Philippe
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Article Info
Journal
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS
Abbr.
Cell Mol Life Sci
ISSN
1420-9071
DOI
10.1007/s00018-012-0984-7
Published
2012-09-00
Epub
2012-00-19
Pages
2907-17
Language
English
Region
Switzerland
NLM ID
9705402
PMCID
PMC3417095
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-0984-7 PMC Full Text View journal details
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