BMP restricts stemness of intestinal Lgr5+ stem cells by directly suppressing their signature genes

Abstract

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.