Fig 1: ISMCs transform into fibroblasts orchestrating intestinal wound healing and CAC in young mice. a Schematic overview of the tamoxifen induction to label ISMCs during the early phase of the CAC model. b After the two continuous days of tamoxifen (3 mg/day) induction starting from A+D-d6, we detected the labeled cells derived from ISMCs (Green) and the total cells (tdTomato, red) in colon tissues at A+D-d7, A+D-d10, A+D-d21 and A+D-d63. Scale bars, 50 μm. c Detection of the GFP, Vimentin and CD45 around muscularis mucosa at A+D-d10 in young and ageing Myh11-cre/ERT2; Rosa26-mTmG mice. Scale bars, 20 μm. d Detection of the GFP and PCNA around muscularis mucosa at A+D-d10 in young and ageing Myh11-cre/ERT2; Rosa26-mTmG mice. Scale bars, 20 μm. e The ratio of Vimentin+ cells in GFP+ labeled cells around muscularis mucosa at A+D-d10 in young and ageing Myh11-cre/ERT2; Rosa26-mTmG mice. Young, n = 5; Ageing, n = 5; Data are mean ± SD. At the same time, the ratio of PCNA+ cells in GFP+ labeled cells around muscularis mucosa was also detected, n = 4. Data are mean ± SD. f Detection of the GFP and Vimentin in the early stage of CAC at A+D-d21 in young Myh11-cre/ERT2; Rosa26-mTmG mice. Scale bars, 50 μm. g Detection of the GFP and α-SMA in the early stage of CAC at A+D-d21 in young Myh11-cre/ERT2; Rosa26-mTmG mice. Scale bars, 50 μm