Cyclopamine Induces Stem Cell Marker Expression in the Postnatal Mouse Intestinal Epithelium and Disrupts Villus Length

Abstract

Enteric stem cells contribute to postnatal intestinal development by generating multiple cell lineages under the influence of distinct signaling pathways. Among these, Hedgehog signaling has been implicated in the development and maintenance of the enteric nervous system. This study evaluated the effects of cyclopamine treatment on intestinal morphology and stem cell marker expression in neonatal mice. Animals received intraperitoneal cyclopamine (10 mg/kg) on postnatal days 0, 2, 4, and 6 and were euthanized on day 7. Cyclopamine treatment resulted in significant changes in villus morphology, decreased expression of several neuronal differentiation markers, and increased expression of SOX2- and Nestin-positive cells. These observations indicate that cyclopamine treatment alters cellular differentiation patterns in the postnatal intestine and may favor the maintenance of a less differentiated cellular phenotype. Further studies are required to determine the specific mechanisms involved and to clarify the contribution of Hedgehog signaling to these effects.