摘要：SummaryIntestinal regeneration and crypt hyperplasia after radiation or pathogen injury relies on Wnt signaling to stimulate stem cell proliferation. Mesenchymal Wnts are essential for homeostasis and regeneration in mice, but the role of epithelial Wnts remains largely uncharacterized. Using the enterohemorrhagicE. coli-secreted cytotoxin EspP to induce injury to human colonoids, we evaluated a simplified, epithelial regeneration model that lacks mesenchymal Wnts. Here, we demonstrate that epithelial-produced WNT2B is upregulated following injury and essential for regeneration. Hedgehog signaling, specifically activation via the ligand Desert Hedgehog (DHH), but not Indian or Sonic Hedgehog, is another driver of regeneration and modulates WNT2B expression. These findings highlight the importance of epithelial WNT2B and DHH in regulating human colonic regeneration after injury.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Proteomics on injured colonoids revealed essential pathways in colonic regeneration•Epithelial-produced WNT2B and DHH were found to be drivers of colonoid regeneration•Wnt inhibition prevented regeneration, but was rescued by exogenous WNT2B•Upregulation of DHH was independent of SHH or IHH expressionBacteriology; Bioengineering; Cell Biology; Tissue Engineering
