Vasoactive intestinal peptide modulates intestinal stem cell activity and differentiation

Introduction Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide widely expressed in enteric myenteric and submucosal ganglia. VIP exerts important physiological functions, such as regulation of epithelial secretion and smooth muscle contraction, predominantly via its Gs-protein-coupled receptor VPAC1. VIP-KO mice show abnormal intestinal villus-crypt architecture, increased proliferation and reduced number of goblet cells, substantiating a crucial role for VIP in intestinal homeostasis. Transmitters, such as acetylcholine, prominently modulate intestinal stem cell (ISC) activity and differentiation, yet little is known about the specific effects of VIP on ISC in homeostasis.