Project description:Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (Dclk1) is known as a cancer stem cell marker of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). But the functional evidence to define the stem cell activity of these cells within tumors has not been explored. We compared the gene expression profiles of Dclk1-positive and -negative PDACs cells.
Project description:Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is a putative cancer stem cell marker, a promising diagnostic and prognostic maker for malignant tumors and a proposed driver gene for gastric cancer. Here we show that DCLK1 expression in the gastric cancer cell line MKN1 impacts EV biogenesis both quantitatively and qualitatively in a kinase dependent manner, revealing a hitherto unknown role for this putative oncogenic kinase. Importantly, the proteome of EVs isolated from DCLK1 expressing gastric cancer cells is enriched for proteins involved in tumor-promoting biological processes, raising the prospect of establishing DCLK1 as a novel anti-cancer target.
Project description:Dclk1 (Doublecortin like kinase-1) labels a rare population of long-lived and largely quiescent cells in the adult mouse pancreas. The expression of Dclk1+ vs Dclk1- pancreatic cells (mostly acinar) is observed.
Project description:The hypotheses are: 1) the intestinal stem cell marker, DCLK1, which is increased in both the epithelium and stroma in colon cancer is also increased in BE (Barrett’s esophagus) with HGD (high grade dysplasia) and in EAC (esophageal adenocarcinoma), 2) this expression correlates with disease progression towards EAC and 3) eradication of cells expressing stem cell markers occurs after therapy of EMR (endoscopic mucosal resection) or RFA (radiofrequency ablation) to eradicate BE with HGD and intramucosal adenocarcinoma and esophagectomy for EAC. We will test our hypotheses with the following aims: 1) To characterize the cell specific expression patterns of intestinal stem cell biomarkers in BE patients and correlate them with serum expression and disease progression, 2) To examine prospectively the effects of EMR, RFA or esophagectomy on the expression of stem cell biomarkers and the progression to EAC.
Project description:Intestinal ganglionic cells in the adult enteric nervous system (ENS) are continually exposed to stimuli from the surrounding microenvironment, and need at times to respond to disturbed homeostasis following acute intestinal injury. The kinase DCLK1 and intestinal Dclk1-positive cells have been reported to contribute to intestinal regeneration. While Dclk1-positive cells are present in adult enteric ganglia, their cellular identity and response to acute injury have not been investigated in detail. Here, we reveal the presence of distinct Dclk1-tdTom+/CD49b+ glial-like and Dclk1-tdTom+/CD49b- neuronal cell types in adult myenteric ganglia. These ganglionic cells demonstrate distinct patterns of tracing over time, yet show a similar expansion in response to elevated serotonergic signaling. Interestingly, Dclk1-tdTom+ glial-like and neuronal cell types appear resistant to acute irradiation injury-mediated cell death. Moreover, Dclk1-tdTom+/CD49b+ glial-like cells show prominent changes in gene expression profiles induced by injury, in contrast to Dclk1-tdTom+/CD49b- neuronal cell types. Finally, subsets of Dclk1-tdTom+/CD49b+ glial-like cells demonstrate prominent overlap with Nestin and p75NTR, and strong responses to elevated serotonergic signaling or acute injury. These findings, together with their role in early development and their neural-crest like gene expression signature, suggest the presence of reserve progenitor cells in the adult Dclk1 glial cell lineage.
Project description:Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), a microtubule-associated protein kinase, is involved in neurogenesis and human cancers. However, the role of DCLK1 in atherosclerosis remains undefined. In this study, we identified up-regulated DCLK1 in macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE-/- mice fed an HFD and determined that macrophage-specific DCLK1 deletion attenuates atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation in mice. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing analysis indicated that DCLK1 mediates oxLDL-induced inflammation via NF-κB signaling pathway in primary macrophages. Co-immunoprecipitation followed by LC-MS/MS analysis identified IKKβ as a binding protein of DCLK1. We confirmed that DCLK1 directly interacts with IKKβ and phosphorylates IKKβ at S177/181, thereby facilitating subsequent NF-κB activation and inflammatory gene expression in macrophages. Finally, a pharmacological inhibitor of DCLK1 prevents atherosclerotic progression and inflammation both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings demonstrated that macrophage DCLK1 promotes inflammatory atherosclerosis by binding to IKKβ and activating IKKβ/NF-κB. This study reports DCLK1 as a new IKKβ regulator in inflammation and a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory atherosclerosis.
Project description:Dclk1 expression defines a rare population of cells in normal pancreas whose frequency is increased at early stages pancreatic tumors. The identity and the precise roles of Dclk1 expressing cells in pancreas are matter of debate, although the concept of their involvement in a number of key functions, including regeneration and neoplasia, has emerged. We employed a novel Dclk1 reporter mouse model and single cell RNAseq analysis to define Dclk1 expressing cells in normal pancreas and pancreatic neoplasia. In normal pancreas, Dclk1 epithelial expression identifies subsets of ductal, islet and acinar cells. In pancreatic neoplasia, Dclk1 expression identifies five epithelial cell populations, among which acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM)-like cells and tuft-like cells represent the main ones. These cells play opposing roles in pancreatic neoplasia, with Dclk1+ ADM-like cells sustaining tumor growth and Dclk1+ tuft-like cells restraining tumor progression. The differentiation of Kras mutant acinar cells into Dclk1+ tuft-like cells requires the activation of SPIB and is further supported by a cellular loop involving cancer group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) and activated fibroblasts (CAFs) that provide IL13 and IL33, respectively. In turn, Dclk1+ tuft-like cells release angiotensinogen that play protective roles against pancreatic neoplasia. Overall, our study provides novel insights on the biology of Dclk1+ cells in normal pancreas and also unveils a protective axis against pancreatic neoplasia involving Dclk1+ tuft-like cells, ILC2 and CAFs, which ultimately results in angiotensinogen release.
Project description:Dclk1 expression defines a rare population of cells in normal pancreas whose frequency is increased at early stages pancreatic tumors. The identity and the precise roles of Dclk1 expressing cells in pancreas are matter of debate, although the concept of their involvement in a number of key functions, including regeneration and neoplasia, has emerged. We employed a novel Dclk1 reporter mouse model and single cell RNAseq analysis to define Dclk1 expressing cells in normal pancreas and pancreatic neoplasia. In normal pancreas, Dclk1 epithelial expression identifies subsets of ductal, islet and acinar cells. In pancreatic neoplasia, Dclk1 expression identifies five epithelial cell populations, among which acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM)-like cells and tuft-like cells represent the main ones. These cells play opposing roles in pancreatic neoplasia, with Dclk1+ ADM-like cells sustaining tumor growth and Dclk1+ tuft-like cells restraining tumor progression. The differentiation of Kras mutant acinar cells into Dclk1+ tuft-like cells requires the activation of SPIB and is further supported by a cellular loop involving cancer group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) and activated fibroblasts (CAFs) that provide IL13 and IL33, respectively. In turn, Dclk1+ tuft-like cells release angiotensinogen that play protective roles against pancreatic neoplasia. Overall, our study provides novel insights on the biology of Dclk1+ cells in normal pancreas and also unveils a protective axis against pancreatic neoplasia involving Dclk1+ tuft-like cells, ILC2 and CAFs, which ultimately results in angiotensinogen release.
Project description:Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), a microtubule-associated protein kinase, is involved in neurogenesis and human cancers. However, the role of DCLK1 in atherosclerosis remains undefined. In this study, we identified up-regulated DCLK1 in macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE-/- mice fed an HFD and determined that macrophage-specific DCLK1 deletion attenuates atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation in mice. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing analysis indicated that DCLK1 mediates oxLDL-induced inflammation via NF-κB signaling pathway in primary macrophages. Co-immunoprecipitation followed by LC-MS/MS analysis identified IKKβ as a binding protein of DCLK1. We confirmed that DCLK1 directly interacts with IKKβ and phosphorylates IKKβ at S177/181, thereby facilitating subsequent NF-κB activation and inflammatory gene expression in macrophages. Finally, a pharmacological inhibitor of DCLK1 prevents atherosclerotic progression and inflammation both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings demonstrated that macrophage DCLK1 promotes inflammatory atherosclerosis by binding to IKKβ and activating IKKβ/NF-κB. This study reports DCLK1 as a new IKKβ regulator in inflammation and a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory atherosclerosis.