Current Status of Intestinal Stem Cell Research: Mechanisms, Intestinal Diseases, and Organoid Development

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are essential for maintaining intestinal homeostasis and repairing injury, and have garnered extensive attention in recent years. ISC research has not only advanced our understanding of intestinal physiology but also revealed pathological roles of ISCs in diseases and facilitated the identification of potential targeted therapies. This review aims to comprehensively present the current state of ISC research. It elaborates on the multi-level regulatory mechanisms governing ISCs, including niche cells, signaling pathways, gut microbiota, extracellular matrix, and epigenetic regulation. It further summarizes the involvement of ISCs in colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, radiation-induced intestinal injury, and short bowel syndrome, as well as their application in organoid technology. Finally, this review highlights future directions, including dissecting how distinct cellular states and microenvironments dynamically regulate ISC function, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies like microfluidic organ-on-a-chip and gene editing technologies to accelerate the translation of basic discoveries into clinical practice, thereby providing a valuable reference for researchers in the field.