Characterization of peri-cryptal extracellular matrix in intestinal stem cell niche: effects of early weaning

One of the components of the extracellular matrix is the basement membrane (BM), which is formed by collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and glycoproteins. Laminin is one of the major glycoproteins in the intestinal BM, and its function includes the regulation of cell proliferation and maintenance of the intestinal stem cell niche. However, it is still unknown how the BM behaves in response to changes in feeding patterns, such as early weaning (EW).