A Case Of Reverse Development: Dana-Farber Scientists Solve Long-Debated Puzzle Of How The Intestine Heals Itself
Boston, MA, USA – Deep within the lining of the human intestine lies the source of the organ’s ability to renew itself and recover from damage: intestinal stem cells (ISCs), lodged in pockets of tissue called crypts, generate the cells that continuously repopulate the intestinal lining. Even the stem cells themselves have a safety net: when they’re damaged, healthy replacements appear in less than a week.