RS-246204 is an R-spondin-1 substitute compound. RS-246204 is able to initiate small intestinal organoids without the use of the R-spondin-1 protein.

RS-246204 could promote the initial formation and growth of enteroids in the medium without R-spondin-1. The enteroids grown with RS-246204 had a similar differentiation capacity as well as self-renewal capacity as the enteroids grown with R-spondin-1. The RS-246204-derived enteroids could successfully produce the forskolin-induced swelling and the organoid based epithelial to mesenchymal transition model [1].

RS-246204 obviously enhanced BrdU+ cells and body weight in the DSS induced colitis model. RS-246204 activates the R-spondin dependent pathway in Lgr5 stem cells, thereby enhancing proliferation or the anti-apoptotic effect, promoting regeneration of the intestinal epithelium and reducing the disease severity [1].