Morphological and functional changes of jejunal and ileal epithelium in aged mice based on 3D organoids
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-9026.2025.04.019
- VernacularTitle:基于3D类器官研究老年小鼠空、回肠上皮形态及功能变化
- Author:
Yi JIN
1
;
Fan XIA
;
Yifan LYU
;
Guoxian DING
;
Jing YU
Author Information
1. 江苏省荣军医院消化内科，无锡 214000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Gastrointestinal tract;
Organoids;
Mice
- From:
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics
2025;44(4):525-530
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study aimed to investigate the morphological and functional changes of jejunal and ileal epithelium in aged mice using 3D organoid culture, to elucidate the age-related alterations in epithelial function across different regions of the intestine.Methods:The C57BL/6J male mice were divided into two groups: a young group(5 months)and an old group(24 months).Epithelial tissues from the jejunum and ileum were harvested, and the jejunal and ileal epithelial crypt units were separated for 3D organoid culture in vitro.Histological analyses, including H&E and PAS staining, immunofluorescence staining, and quantitative PCR, were employed to assess changes in crypt depth, villi length, goblet cell numbers, inflammation, and mucosal barrier function in the aged mice.Results:With aging, the crypt of jejunum became deeper and the ratio of villi length to crypt depth decreased, while the villi length of ileum became longer and the ratio of villi length to crypt depth increased.The rate of organoid formation in jejunal and ileal crypts and the number of crypto-like regions of organoid formation were significantly decreased in the aged mice, along with a decrease in the expression of the stem cell proliferation marker Ki67.The inflammation of the jejunal and ileal epithelium increased in the aged mice, and the mechanical barrier function of the epithelial mucosa was enhanced.Conclusions:In aged mice, both the jejunal and ileal epithelium exhibited similar changes in stem cell proliferation, inflammation, and mucosal mechanical barrier function, though the changes in villus length and crypt depth ratio were opposite.This study provides a foundation for further investigation of the differences in jejunal and ileal epithelial function and its potential mechanisms during aging.
