Volume 142, Issue 3, Pages 424-428 (March 2012) Villin-Marked Gastric Progenitor Cells: Conveyors or Purveyors of Precancerous Change?  Deborah L. Gumucio  Gastroenterology  Volume 142, Issue 3, Pages 424-428 (March 2012) DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.01.012 Copyright © 2012 AGA Institute Terms and Conditions

Figure (A) Modes of division of VGPC. Symmetric division produces additional VGPC (blue) which move to the base of the gland and are a likely stimulus for gland fission.1 Asymmetric division repopulates the glands with differentiated progeny of VGPC. In the case of Villin-Cre; Klf4f/f mice, glands are repopulated with Klf4 null cells, leading to hyperplasia and potential bystander effects on surrounding glands. (B) Two models are consistent with the current data. Model 1 assumes that VGPC do not express Klf4 and that deletion of this factor has no effect until asymmetric divisions promote the spread of Klf4 null cells. Thus, VGPC serve to relay or convey the phenotype, likely in a slow and focal pattern. Model 2 predicts that Klf4 is expressed in VGPC and that deletion of this factor affects the biology of these cells. Thus, a rapid hypertrophic response is expected as VGPC act as direct perveyors of the phenotype. Since the first time-point analyzed by Li et al, was 35 weeks and no lineage trace allele was incorporated, it is not possible to determine which of these models is correct. Gastroenterology 2012 142, 424-428DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2012.01.012) Copyright © 2012 AGA Institute Terms and Conditions