Figure 1. Gucy2c maintains the balance of Lgr5⁺ and Bmi1⁺ cells in crypts.

(A–B) Enumeration of CBC ISCs in small intestinal sections using transmission electron microscopy (n = 3 mice, >30 crypts/mouse). (C) Ex vivo enteroid forming capacity of crypts from Gucy2c^–/– mice relative to Gucy2c^+/+ mice. (D) Quantification of Lgr5⁺ (GFP^High) cells by flow cytometry in crypts from Lgr5-EGFP-Cre-Gucy2c^+/+ and Gucy2c^–/– mice. (E–F) Enumeration of Lgr5⁺GFP⁺ cells in intestinal crypts by EGFP IF (>4 sections/mouse). (G–H) Crypt Lgr5⁺ cell lineage tracing events expressed as a percent of total crypts per section (>4 sections/mouse). (I–J) Bmi1⁺ cells per intestinal section (>4 sections/mouse). (K–L) Quantification of Bmi1 expressed in isolated crypt lysates, relative to β-actin (n = 5 Gucy2c^+/+, 4 Gucy2c^–/–). *p < 0.05; ***p < 0.001. Bars in E and G represent 50 µm; bar in I represents 20 µm.