---
title: Single Lgr5 stem cells build crypt-villus structures in vitro without a mesenchymal niche
description: Single Lgr5 stem cells build crypt-villus structures in vitro without a mesenchymal niche
image: https://resources.huborganoids.nl/hubfs/publication-thumb-nature-may-2009.png
---

[![Logo HUB Organoids](https://resources.huborganoids.nl/hubfs/raw_assets/public/HUBOrganoids_May2021/images/logo-huborganoids-white.svg "Logo HUB Organoids")](https://huborganoids.nl/)

![merk-m-logo-blue](https://resources.huborganoids.nl/hs-fs/hubfs/merk-m-logo-blue.png?width=728&height=225&name=merk-m-logo-blue.png)

# Single Lgr5 stem cells build crypt-villus structures in vitro without a mesenchymal niche

Nature | May 2009

[![view publication](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/14556940/4485d7e8-8c3e-4828-bd30-a29d893eb070.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/14556940/4485d7e8-8c3e-4828-bd30-a29d893eb070)

![](https://resources.huborganoids.nl/hubfs/publication-thumb-nature-may-2009.png)

## Abstract

The intestinal epithelium is the most rapidly self-renewing tissue in adult mammals. We have recently demonstrated the presence of about six cycling Lgr5(+) stem cells at the bottoms of small-intestinal crypts. Here we describe the establishment of long-term culture conditions under which single crypts undergo multiple crypt fission events, while simultaneously generating villus-like epithelial domains in which all differentiated cell types are present. Single-sorted Lgr5(+) stem cells can also initiate these crypt-villus organoids. Tracing experiments indicate that the Lgr5(+) stem-cell hierarchy is maintained in organoids. We conclude that intestinal crypt-villus units are self-organizing structures, which can be built from a single stem cell in the absence of a non-epithelial cellular niche. 

## Discover more from HUB:

Explore our organoid screening platform 

[discover more](https://www.huborganoids.nl/services/hub-drug-screening/)

Discover other publications on patient-derived organoids.

[browse now](https://www.huborganoids.nl/resources/)

![Logo HUB Organoids](https://resources.huborganoids.nl/hubfs/raw_assets/public/HUBOrganoids_May2021/images/logo-huborganoids-white.svg "Logo HUB Organoids")

[Privacy Policy](https://huborganoids.nl/privacy-policy)

HUB Organoids is now part of the Life Science Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

***FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY.**  Unless otherwise stated in our catalog or other company documentation  
 accompanying the product(s), our products are intended for research use only and are not to be used   
 for any other purpose, which includes but is not limited to, unauthorized commercial uses, in vitro   
 diagnostic uses, ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic uses or any type of consumption or application to   
humans or animals.*