Intestinal Stem Cells and Intestinal Organoids

Abstract The intestinal epithelium is the most rapidly renewing tissue which fueled by stem cells at the base of the crypts. Strategies of genetic lineage tracing and organoids, which capture major features of original tissues, are powerful avenues for exploring the biology of intestinal stem cells in vivo and in vitro respectively. The combination of intestinal organoids culturing system and genetic modification approaches provides an attractive platform to uncover the mechanism of colorectal cancer and genetic disorders in human mini-gut. Here, we will provide a comprehensive overview of researches on intestinal epithelium and intestinal stem cells. We will also review the applications of organoids and genetic markers in intestinal researches. Furthermore, we will discuss the advantages and drawbacks of organoids as disease models compared with mice models and cell lines.