Fig. 6: Dedifferentiation and stem cells drive regeneration of taste receptor cells.
From: Epithelial plasticity enhances regeneration of committed taste receptor cells following nerve injury
In homeostasis, renewal of the taste receptor cells is derived from Lgr5-positive stem cells in the circumvallate papilla. Lgr5-positive stem cells produce progenitor cells that express K14, PCNA, and Sox2. These progenitor cells further differentiate into postmitotic Shh-expressing precursor cells that finally transition into terminally differentiated taste receptor cells. Nerve transection leads to degeneration of the taste buds; however, a small number of taste receptor cells remain independent of innervation. The remaining taste receptor cells acquire stemness by dedifferentiating into transient progenitor-like cells expressing K14, Sox2, and PCNA, and they participate in the regeneration of taste buds along with Lgr5-positive stem/progenitor cells for rapid regeneration of the taste buds.
