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Gut Stem Cell Biology

Diet/Microbial Bioactive

Use of Diet/Microbial Bioactive Amphiphiles to Target DNA Damaged Stem Cells.

Projects in this research area are designed to assess how the chemoprotective properties of dietary lipid are altered when a highly fermentable fiber, pectin, rather than a poorly fermentable fiber, cellulose, is added to the diet. This protective effect is mediated in part by the up-regulation of targeted apoptosis of DNA adducts during tumor initiation. Our findings indicate that highly fermentable fiber, which generates butyrate in the colon, only has chemotherapeutic value when n-3 PUFA is the lipid source.   With respect to a molecular mechanism of action, n-3 PUFA and butyrate (a microbial fermentation product), in combination, synergistically induce a novel p53-independent, oxidation-sensitive, mitochondrial Ca2+-dependent (intrinsic) pathway.  This critical observation emphasizes the need to examine both the lipid and fiber composition of diets.  The lab is now focusing on the impact of gut-related metabolites on intestinal stem cell biology in vivo and ex vivo using a colonic organoid model system.