From bench to bedside: the role of gastrointestinal stem cells in health and disease

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract constitutes a sophisticated system integral to digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health, with its functionality predominantly hinging on the distinctive properties of diverse stem cell types. This review systematically investigates the pivotal roles of stem cells across the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon, emphasizing their crucial contributions to tissue homeostasis, repair mechanisms, and regeneration. Each segment of the GI tract is characterized by specialized stem cell populations that exhibit distinct functional attributes, highlighting the necessity for tailored therapeutic approaches in the management of gastrointestinal disorders.Emerging research has shed light on the functional heterogeneity of GI stem cells, with ISCs in the small intestine displaying remarkable turnover rates and regenerative potential, whereas colonic stem cells (CSCs) are essential for the preservation of the colonic epithelial barrier. The intricate interplay between stem cells and their microenvironment-or niche-is fundamentally important for their functionality, with critical signaling pathways such as Wnt and Notch exerting substantial influence over stem cell behavior. The advent of organoid models derived from GI stem cells offers promising avenues for elucidating disease mechanisms and for the preclinical testing of novel therapeutic

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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