Stem Cell Regeneration Triggered by Bacterial Signal Triggers

Gut microbes become unexpected healers.

University of Toronto researchers have discovered that a bacterial sugar called ADP-heptose can drive intestinal stem cell regeneration after injury, reshaping how scientists understand the gut microbiome’s role in health.

The findings, published in Cell Stem Cell, have implications for conditions like colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

In mouse and lab-grown tissue models, the bacterial signal first prompted intestinal stem cells to self-destruct, then activated a program that caused Paneth cells to revert into stem cells, replenishing the lost population and restoring the intestinal lining.

“Bacteria are going to get into areas where they shouldn’t be, so we need to engage a defense program to protect the stem cells because these are the cells you need to maintain your intestinal barrier.”

— Dr. Stephen Girardin, Professor of Immunology

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