Math1 (Atoh1) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor important for intestinal secretory cell differentiation. We hypothesized that Math1 is important in cell fate commitment, and therefore mediates proliferative homeostasis and the adaptive response following intestinal resection in the adult intestine.

We generated mice with an intestine-specific mosaic deletion of Math1 (Math1^Δintestine) using the Cre/loxP system. Histologic analysis in adult Math1^Δintestine and wild-type littermates at baseline and following small bowel resection or sham surgery was performed.

We observed loss of Paneth, goblet, and enteroendocrine cells in Math1-null crypts. In addition, aberrant activation of the Math1 promoter occurred in absorptive enterocytes derived from Math1-null crypts, suggesting a change in cell fate. Proliferation was increased but apoptosis unchanged in Math1-mutant crypts compared to adjacent wild-type crypts. Math1^Δintestine mice and wild-type littermates displayed similar physiologic adaptive responses to small bowel resection as measured by changes in body weight and ileal wet weight. In contrast, Math1-mutant crypts displayed a blunted adaptive response compared to adjacent wild-type crypts.

We show that Math1 is essential for adult intestinal secretory cell production, and in its absence cells destined to a secretory phenotype instead adopt an absorptive phenotype. Subtle abnormalities of proliferation within Math1-null crypts in Math1^Δintestine mice were identified, together with a substantial defect in the adaptive response of Math1-null crypts following small bowel resection. Our results suggest that Math1 is critical for both cell fate determination within the intestinal epithelium and for regulation of the response to intestinal resection.