The intestinal mesenchyme is essential for the repair and regeneration of the intestinal epithelium, supporting growth, repair, and structure while interacting with immune cells to maintain intestinal health. Understanding the regenerative processes in the mesenchyme can significantly enhance knowledge of intestinal healing post-injury and inflammation. YAP and TAZ are co-transcriptional factors crucial for cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, wound healing, and regeneration. While previous research has examined YAP and TAZ deletion in the intestinal epithelium, their role in the mesenchyme remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the impact of YAP and TAZ deletion in the intestinal mesenchyme of mice, particularly after damage induced by ionizing radiation (IR). We hypothesize that the deletion of YAP and TAZ will impair tissue regeneration post-IR exposure. Utilizing targeted gene deletion in PDGFRα Cre-ETR2 positive mice, our methodologies include genotyping, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative measurements of how we can understand what is going on. These findings could lead to improved treatments and preventive strategies for intestinal injuries and diseases, contributing to a broader understanding of regenerative processes and their applications in other tissues and organs where YAP and TAZ are critical.
