(A) qRT-PCR analysis revealed increased expression of (A) Axin2 (*P<0.05, n=12) and (B) Lgr5 (*P<0.05, n=12) but no significant difference in mRNA levels of (C) Lrig1 (P=0.21, n=12) and Bmi1 (P=0.41, n=12) in Bves−/− proximal small intestine compared to WT. (D) Intercross of WT and Bves−/− mice with Lgr5-EGFP-ires-CreERT2 mice revealed increased number of GFP+ cells/+crypt (3.5 vs. 5.2, **P<0.01, n=16) in the Bves−/− cohort. Images were captured at 400× magnification.