Colonic myofibroblast cell line stimulates colonoid formation

Abstract

A stable and efficient system for the culture of murine colon epithelial cells or crypts is required to facilitate studies of the dynamics and factors affecting colon stem cell niche and crypt formation. Survival of colonic epithelial cells or crypts in vitro was not established until recently, when it was found that exogenous Wnt3A and R-spondin could promote cell survival and formation of spheroids (colonospheres) or some advanced organoids with well-developed crypts (colonoids). However, after 6-8 days in these culture conditions, only small numbers of colonospheres form organoids with crypt-like structures (colonoids). This study describes the use of a myofibroblast cell line and a cocul..