Cell Biology and Toxicology

, Volume 23, Issue 4, pp 241–256 | Cite as

In vitro models of intestinal epithelial cell differentiation

  • P. Simon-Assmann
  • N. Turck
  • M. Sidhoum-Jenny
  • G. Gradwohl
  • M. Kedinger
Article
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Abstract

The intestinal epithelium is a particularly interesting tissue as (1) it is in a constant cell renewal from a stem cell pool located in the crypts which form, with the underlying fibroblasts, a stem cell niche and (2) the pluripotent stem cells give rise to four main cell types: enterocytes, mucus, endocrine, and Paneth cells. The mechanisms leading to the determination of phenotype commitment and cell-specific expressions are still poorly understood. Although transgenic mouse models are powerful tools for elucidating the molecular cascades implicated in these processes, cell culture approaches bring easy and elegant ways to study cellular behavior, cell interactions, and cell signaling pathways for example. In the present review, we will describe the major tissue culture technologies that allow differentiation of epithelial cells from undifferentiated embryonic or crypt cells. We will point to the necessity of the re-creation of a complex microenvironment that allows full differentiation process to occur. We will also summarize the characteristics and interesting properties of the cell lines established from human colorectal tumors.

Keywords

cell culture endoderm established cell lines human colonic cancer cells immortalized cells intestine 

Abbreviations

CFTR

cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

FAE

follicle associated epithelium

GFP

green fluorescent protein

FHI cells

fetal human intestinal cells

IEC

intestinal epithelial cells

L-PK

L-type pyruvate kinase

MAP kinase

mitogen-activated protein kinase

MTX

methotrexate

ngn3

neurogenin 3

ZO-1

zonula occludens-1

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Copyright information

© Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2006

Authors and Affiliations

  • P. Simon-Assmann
    • 1
    • 2
    • 4
  • N. Turck
    • 3
  • M. Sidhoum-Jenny
    • 1
    • 2
  • G. Gradwohl
    • 1
    • 2
  • M. Kedinger
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Inserm U682StrasbourgFrance
  2. 2.Faculté de MédecineUniversité Louis PasteurStrasbourgFrance
  3. 3.Centre Médical UniversitaireUniv. GenèveGenevaSwitzerland
  4. 4.Inserm U682, Development and Physiopathology of the Intestine and PancreasStrasbourgFrance

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