Role of PDGFRA⁺ cells and a CD55⁺ PDGFRA^Lo fraction in the gastric mesenchymal niche.

Abstract

PDGFRA-expressing mesenchyme supports intestinal stem cells. Stomach epithelia have related niche dependencies, but their enabling mesenchymal cell populations are unknown, in part because previous studies pooled the gastric antrum and corpus. Our high-resolution imaging, transcriptional profiling, and organoid assays identify regional subpopulations and supportive capacities of purified mouse corpus and antral PDGFRA⁺ cells. Sub-epithelial PDGFRA^Hi myofibroblasts are principal sources of BMP ligands and two molecularly distinct pools distribute asymmetrically along antral glands but together fail to support epithelial growth in vitro. In contrast, PDGFRA^Lo CD55⁺ cells strategically positioned beneath gastric glands promote epithelial expansion in the absence of other cells or factors. This population encompasses a small fraction expressing the BMP antagonist Grem1. Although Grem1⁺ cell ablation in vivo impairs intestinal stem cells, gastric stem cells are spared, implying that CD55⁺ cell activity in epithelial self-renewal derives from other subpopulations. Our findings shed light on spatial, molecular, and functional organization of gastric mesenchyme and the spectrum of signaling sources for epithelial support.