The Gut's Support Cells Changed Jobs in Three Weeks

Researchers isolated jejunal mesenchymal stromal cells from newborn, seven-day and 21-day piglets and paired them with intestinal enteroids. Newborn cells supported larger, mostly cystic enteroids; seven-day cells favored more multi-budded structures and showed a transitional gene-expression profile; 21-day cells increased WNT and BMP antagonists. Brief calcium-channel inhibition in seven-day cells rapidly changed niche-factor expression. The work maps age-linked associations in piglet cells and co-cultures rather than proving a human developmental mechanism.