Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) maintains intestinal homeostasis by restricting its hyperproliferation but whether it directly regulates the stem cells is unknown. Here the authors show that BMP constrains the Lgr5+stem cell expansion under both homeostatic and injury conditions through Smad-mediated repression of stem cell signature genes.
- Zhen Qi
- Yehua Li
- Ye-Guang Chen