Cellular protection mechanisms that minimise accumulation of mutations in intestinal tissue

The epithelial lining of the intestine is constantly exposed to a hostile environment containing a mixture of gastric acids, consumed harmful substances and microbes. It is widely accepted that the intestine has multiple mechanisms to protect itself against tissue damage. Here, we review three cellu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Swiss medical weekly 2017-11, Vol.147 (4546), p.w14539-w14539
Main Authors: van Rheenen, Jacco, Bruens, Lotte
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
aging
Animals
cellular protection mechanism
colorectal cancer
crypt fission
crypt fusion
dedifferentiation
Humans
Intestinal Mucosa - physiology
Mutation
Stem Cells - physiology
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Summary:The epithelial lining of the intestine is constantly exposed to a hostile environment containing a mixture of gastric acids, consumed harmful substances and microbes. It is widely accepted that the intestine has multiple mechanisms to protect itself against tissue damage. Here, we review three cellular protection mechanisms that protect intestinal tissue against accumulation of somatic mutations: the conveyer belt-like structure, stem cell competition and crypt fusion. We highlight the events that can perturb these cellular protection mechanisms, and their impact on accumulation of new (oncogenic) mutations. Lastly, we review the potential of in-vitro and intravital microscopy techniques to study the dynamics of these protection processes. These studies may identify new targets that can be used to manipulate cellular protection mechanisms in such a way that accumulation of new mutations can be reduced. Importantly, reducing mutation accumulation has the potential to delay aging, and the initiation and progression of diseases such as colorectal cancer.
ISSN:1424-3997
1424-3997
DOI:10.4414/smw.2017.14539