<i>Lgr5</i> cells can contribute to taste bud regeneration after GLx.

<p><i>Lgr5^EGFP-ERCre/+</i>;<i>R26^Tom/+</i> mice which had been previously treated with tamoxifen at P50–54, were subjected to GLx or sham operation at P68. (A, B) <i>In vivo</i> BrdU incorporation in CV papillae. BrdU was administered 2 h prior to sacrifice 2 days after the procedure. (A) Double staining of CV papillae with GFP and BrdU. (B) Quantification of BrdU-positive cells in CV papillae. n = 4, each group. *<i>P</i><0.001 vs. sham. (C–G) Double staining of <i>Lgr5^EGFP-ERCre/+</i> mice CV papillae for tdTomato/RFP and CK8 at indicated time points after the procedure, demonstrating that <i>Lgr5</i>-derivatives survive GLx-induced injury and contribute to regenerated taste buds. (H–J) TdTomato/RFP staining of CV papillae 4 weeks after GLx, with indicated markers. (H–J) Taste buds are outlined by dotted white line. Scale bars = 20 µm (C–J), and 50 µm (A).