Dynamic adult tracheal plasticity drives stem cell adaptation to changes in intestinal homeostasis [article]

Jessica Perochon, Gabriel N Aughey, Tony Southall, Julia B Cordero
2021 bioRxiv   pre-print
Tight coordination of stem cell function by local and systemic signals is essential to preserve adult tissue homeostasis and organismal health. The vasculature is a prominent component of various stem cell niches 1-5. However, its role in intestinal homeostasis is largely unknown. Here, we uncover a previously unrecognised crosstalk between intestinal stem cells (ISCs) of the adult Drosophila midgut and the vasculature-like tracheal system 6, which is essential for regeneration of the injured
more » ... testine. Following local damage to the intestinal epithelium, gut-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) and FGF ligand lead to reversible remodelling of gut-associated terminal tracheal cells through HIF-1alpha/FGFR signaling activation. Reciprocally, the provision of oxygen and FGF by the trachea drive ISC proliferation following damage. Strikingly, we find that adult tracheal plasticity involves downregulation of key developmental tracheal specification genes and upregulation of the highly conserved pro-neuronal remodelling IGF2 mRNA-binding protein (IGF2BP2/Imp). Altogether, our results reveal a novel intestinal/vasculature inter-organ communication program, which is essential to adapt stem cells response to the proliferative demands of the intestinal epithelium.
doi:10.1101/2021.01.10.426079 fatcat:yhsoqsimnbfl5mgx5nbwmhyq5m