Coordination of stem cell function by local and niche-derived signals is essential to preserve adult tissue homeostasis and organismal health. The vasculature is a prominent component of multiple stem cell niches. However, its role in adult intestinal homeostasis remains largely understudied. Here we uncover a previously unrecognised crosstalk between adult intestinal stem cells in Drosophila and the vasculature-like tracheal system, which is essential for intestinal regeneration. Following damage to the intestinal epithelium, gut-derived reactive oxygen species activate tracheal HIF-1α and bidirectional FGF/FGFR signalling, leading to reversible remodelling of gut-associated terminal tracheal cells and intestinal stem cell proliferation following damage. Unexpectedly, reactive oxygen species-induced adult tracheal plasticity involves downregulation of the tracheal specification factor trachealess (trh) and upregulation of IGF2 messenger RNA-binding protein (IGF2BP2/Imp). Our results reveal an intestine–vasculature inter-organ communication programme that is essential to adapt the stem cell response to the proliferative demands of the intestinal epithelium.

通过局部和生态位衍生信号协调干细胞功能对于保持成人组织稳态和有机体健康至关重要。脉管系统是多个干细胞生态位的重要组成部分。然而，它在成人肠道稳态中的作用仍然很大程度上未被研究。在这里，我们发现了果蝇中成体肠道干细胞之间以前未被识别的串扰和血管样气管系统，这对肠道再生至关重要。在肠上皮受损后，肠源性活性氧激活气管 HIF-1α 和双向 FGF/FGFR 信号传导，导致肠相关末端气管细胞的可逆重塑和损伤后肠干细胞增殖。出乎意料的是，活性氧诱导的成人气管可塑性包括气管规范因子trachealess ( trh ) 的下调和 IGF2 信使 RNA 结合蛋白 (IGF2BP2/Imp) 的上调。我们的研究结果揭示了一种肠-脉管系统间器官通讯程序，该程序对于使干细胞反应适应肠上皮的增殖需求至关重要。