Intestinal Mesenchymal Cells

Abstract

The non-white blood cell mesenchymal elements of the intestinal lamina propria are the myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, pericytes, stromal stem cells, muscularis mucosae, and the smooth muscle of the villus core associated with the lymphatic lacteal. We review the functional anatomy of these mesenchymal cells, what is known about their origin in the embryo and their replacement in adults, their putative role in intestinal mucosal morphogenesis, and the intestinal stem cell niche, and we consider new information about myofibroblasts as nonprofessional immune cells. Although our knowledge of the function of mesenchymal cells in intestinal disease is rudimentary, we briefly consider here their roles in cancer and intestinal inflammation.

Emergent Concepts from the Intestinal Guanylyl Cyclase C Pathway

“…The basement membrane and all the other mesenchymal components significantly contribute to the dynamic renewal of intestinal epithelial cells. Indeed, intestinal epithelium-stroma interactions contribute to maintain the crypt-villus homeostasis through direct cell-matrix and cell-cell contacts or paracrine signalling (Montgomery et al, 1999;Pinchuk et al, 2010). In contrast, corrupted epitheliumstroma interactions promote the initiation and progression of an array of intestinal pathologies (Kraus & Arber, 2009;Suzuki et al, 2011).…”

“…Thus, the GCC pathway operating in intestinal mucosal cells exerts strong developmental and functional influences on the underlying stroma, presumably by regulating discreet hormonal circuits supporting epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk . Given the established role of the intestinal mesenchyme in inflammation and tumorigenesis (Kraus & Arber, 2009;Pinchuk et al, 2010;Suzuki et al, 2011), it is possible to speculate that dysregulation of GCC signalling in intestinal epithelial cells may favour the emergence of a reactive stromal environment promoting pathological processes.…”

Bioengineering of Colo-Rectal Tissue

“…smooth muscle cells [SMCs]) co-cultured on a biomaterial were shown to mutually influence their proliferation (Zhang et al, 2000;Baskin et al, 2001;Master et al, 2003). The principle of mesenchymalepithelial interaction has also been substantiated in gut tissue (Pinchuk et al, 2010;Kosinski et al, 2010;van der Flier & Clevers, 2009;Barker et al, 2008). Apart from that, in vitro seeded cells, whether of mesenchymal or epithelial origin, might also function as a placeholder to facilitate ingrowth of host's natural epithelium on the biomaterial in vivo.…”

Tissue Engineering for Tissue and Organ Regeneration

“…smooth muscle cells [SMCs]) co-cultured on a biomaterial were shown to mutually influence their proliferation Baskin et al, 2001;Master et al, 2003). The principle of mesenchymalepithelial interaction has also been substantiated in gut tissue (Pinchuk et al, 2010;Kosinski et al, 2010;van der Flier & Clevers, 2009;Barker et al, 2008). Apart from that, in vitro seeded cells, whether of mesenchymal or epithelial origin, might also function as a placeholder to facilitate ingrowth of host's natural epithelium on the biomaterial in vivo.…”