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Moore LL, Qu D, Sureban S, Mitchell S, Pitts K, Cooper N, Fazili J, Harty R, Oseini A, Ding K, Bronze M, Houchen CW. From Inflammation to Oncogenesis: Tracing Serum DCLK1 and miRNA Signatures in Chronic Liver Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6481. [PMID: 38928187 PMCID: PMC11203803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC are often a consequence of persistent inflammation. However, the transition mechanisms from a normal liver to fibrosis, then cirrhosis, and further to HCC are not well understood. This study focused on the role of the tumor stem cell protein doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) in the modulation of molecular factors in fibrosis, cirrhosis, or HCC. Serum samples from patients with hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC were analyzed via ELISA or NextGen sequencing and were compared with control samples. Differentially expressed (DE) microRNAs (miRNA) identified from these patient sera were correlated with DCLK1 expression. We observed elevated serum DCLK1 levels in fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC patients; however, TGF-β levels were only elevated in fibrosis and cirrhosis. While DE miRNAs were identified for all three disease states, miR-12136 was elevated in fibrosis but was significantly increased further in cirrhosis. Additionally, miR-1246 and miR-184 were upregulated when DCLK1 was high, while miR-206 was downregulated. This work distinguishes DCLK1 and miRNAs' potential role in different axes promoting inflammation to tumor progression and may serve to identify biomarkers for tracking the progression from pre-neoplastic states to HCC in chronic liver disease patients as well as provide targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon L. Moore
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Dongfeng Qu
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
| | - Sripathi Sureban
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Stephanie Mitchell
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
| | - Kamille Pitts
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Nasya Cooper
- Department of Natural Sciences, Langston University, Langston, OK 73050, USA;
| | - Javid Fazili
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
| | - Richard Harty
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
| | - Abdul Oseini
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
| | - Kai Ding
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Michael Bronze
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
| | - Courtney W. Houchen
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (L.L.M.); (D.Q.); (S.S.); (S.M.); (K.P.); (J.F.); (R.H.); (A.O.); (M.B.)
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Hu L, Zhang Y, Guo L, Zhong H, Xie L, Zhou J, Liao C, Yao H, Fang J, Liu H, Zhang C, Zhang H, Zhu X, Luo M, von Kriegsheim A, Li B, Luo W, Zhang X, Chen X, Mendell JT, Xu L, Kapur P, Baldwin AS, Brugarolas J, Zhang Q. Kinome-wide siRNA screen identifies a DCLK2-TBK1 oncogenic signaling axis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Mol Cell 2024; 84:776-790.e5. [PMID: 38211588 PMCID: PMC10922811 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is a potential therapeutic target in multiple cancers, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, targeting TBK1 in clinical practice is challenging. One approach to overcome this challenge would be to identify an upstream TBK1 regulator that could be targeted therapeutically in cancer specifically. In this study, we perform a kinome-wide small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen and identify doublecortin-like kinase 2 (DCLK2) as a TBK1 regulator in ccRCC. DCLK2 binds to and directly phosphorylates TBK1 on Ser172. Depletion of DCLK2 inhibits anchorage-independent colony growth and kidney tumorigenesis in orthotopic xenograft models. Conversely, overexpression of DCLK2203, a short isoform that predominates in ccRCC, promotes ccRCC cell growth and tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistically, DCLK2203 elicits its oncogenic signaling via TBK1 phosphorylation and activation. Taken together, these results suggest that DCLK2 is a TBK1 activator and potential therapeutic target for ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianxin Hu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yanfeng Zhang
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lei Guo
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hua Zhong
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ling Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Chengheng Liao
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hongwei Yao
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jun Fang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hongyi Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xiaoqiang Zhu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Maowu Luo
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Bufan Li
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Weibo Luo
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xuewu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xian Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Joshua T Mendell
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Payal Kapur
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Albert S Baldwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - James Brugarolas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Velázquez-Enríquez JM, Cerna R, Beltrán-Ramírez O, Piña-Vázquez C, Villa-Treviño S, Vásquez-Garzón VR. DCLK1 is Overexpressed and Associated with Immune Cell Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biochem Genet 2024:10.1007/s10528-024-10667-y. [PMID: 38294590 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-024-10667-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Recent research has shown that Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is overexpressed in different types of cancer. It has recently been described as a cancer stem cells (CSCs) marker, is associated with carcinogenesis, and positively correlates with infiltration of multiple immune cell types in some cancers. However, studies focused on assessing DCLK1 expression in HCC are limited, and the role of DCLK1 in HCC tumor immunity remains to be determined. In this study, we used a modified model of the resistant hepatocyte (MRHM) to evaluate DCLK1 expression in HCC. Furthermore, DCLK1 expression in HCC was analyzed using TIMER 2.0, UALCAN, GEPIA, GEO, and HPA web-based tools. Correlations between DCLK1 expression and clinicopathological factors in patients were analyzed using the UALCAN web-based tool. Finally, correlations between DCLK1 and immune infiltrates were investigated using the TIMER 2.0 and TISIDB web-based tools. The results showed that DCLK1 is significantly overexpressed during progression of the HCC carcinogenic process in the MRHM. DCLK1 is overexpressed in HCC according to multiple publics web-based tools, and its overexpression is associated with cancer stage. Furthermore, DCLK1 expression was correlated with infiltration levels of multiple immune cells, immunomodulatory factors, immunoinhibitors, MHC molecules, chemokines, receptors, and immune cell-specific markers. These results suggest that DCLK1 is a potential prognostic biomarker that determines cancer progression and correlates with immune cell infiltration in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Velázquez-Enríquez
- Laboratorio de Fibrosis y Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina y Cirugía, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Ex Hacienda de Aguilera S/N, Sur, San Felipe del Agua, C.P. 68020, Oaxaca, México
| | - Renata Cerna
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, C.P. 07360, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Olga Beltrán-Ramírez
- Universidad Estatal de Sonora, Unidad Académica Navojoa, Boulevard Manlio Fabio Beltrones 810, Colonia Bugambilias, C.P. 85875, Navojoa, Sonora, México
| | - Carolina Piña-Vázquez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, C.P. 07360, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Saúl Villa-Treviño
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, C.P. 07360, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Verónica Rocío Vásquez-Garzón
- CONACYT-Facultad de Medicina y Cirugía, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Ex Hacienda de Aguilera S/N, Sur, San Felipe del Agua, C.P. 68020, Oaxaca, México.
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4
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Ye L, Liu B, Huang J, Zhao X, Wang Y, Xu Y, Wang S. DCLK1 and its oncogenic functions: A promising therapeutic target for cancers. Life Sci 2024; 336:122294. [PMID: 38007147 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), a significant constituent of the protein kinase superfamily and the doublecortin family, has been recognized as a prooncogenic factor that exhibits a strong association with the malignant progression and clinical prognosis of various cancers. DCLK1 serves as a stem cell marker that governs tumorigenesis, tumor cell reprogramming, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Multiple studies have indicated the capable of DCLK1 in regulating the DNA damage response and facilitating DNA damage repair. Additionally, DCLK1 is involved in the regulation of the immune microenvironment and the promotion of tumor immune evasion. Recently, DCLK1 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for a multitude of cancers. Several small-molecule inhibitors of DCLK1 have been identified. Nevertheless, the biological roles of DCLK1 are mainly ambiguous, particularly with the disparities between its α- and β-form transcripts in the malignant progression of cancers, which impedes the development of more precisely targeted drugs. This article focuses on tumor stem cells, tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition, the DNA damage response, and the tumor microenvironment to provide a comprehensive overview of the association between DCLK1 and tumor malignant progression, address unsolved questions and current challenges, and project future directions for targeting DCLK1 for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Beibei Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Jingling Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Yungen Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China.
| | - Shuping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
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5
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Hardt R, Dehghani A, Schoor C, Gödderz M, Cengiz Winter N, Ahmadi S, Sharma R, Schork K, Eisenacher M, Gieselmann V, Winter D. Proteomic investigation of neural stem cell to oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation reveals phosphorylation-dependent Dclk1 processing. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:260. [PMID: 37594553 PMCID: PMC10439241 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04892-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes are generated via a two-step mechanism from pluripotent neural stem cells (NSCs): after differentiation of NSCs to oligodendrocyte precursor/NG2 cells (OPCs), they further develop into mature oligodendrocytes. The first step of this differentiation process is only incompletely understood. In this study, we utilized the neurosphere assay to investigate NSC to OPC differentiation in a time course-dependent manner by mass spectrometry-based (phospho-) proteomics. We identify doublecortin-like kinase 1 (Dclk1) as one of the most prominently regulated proteins in both datasets, and show that it undergoes a gradual transition between its short/long isoform during NSC to OPC differentiation. This is regulated by phosphorylation of its SP-rich region, resulting in inhibition of proteolytic Dclk1 long cleavage, and therefore Dclk1 short generation. Through interactome analyses of different Dclk1 isoforms by proximity biotinylation, we characterize their individual putative interaction partners and substrates. All data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD040652.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Hardt
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Nussallee 11, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alireza Dehghani
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Nussallee 11, 53115, Bonn, Germany
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397, Biberach, Germany
| | - Carmen Schoor
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Nussallee 11, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus Gödderz
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Nussallee 11, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nur Cengiz Winter
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Nussallee 11, 53115, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Shiva Ahmadi
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Nussallee 11, 53115, Bonn, Germany
- Bayer Pharmaceuticals, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ramesh Sharma
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Nussallee 11, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karin Schork
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany
- Medical Proteome Analysis, Center for Protein Diagnostics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Eisenacher
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany
- Medical Proteome Analysis, Center for Protein Diagnostics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Volkmar Gieselmann
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Nussallee 11, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dominic Winter
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Nussallee 11, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
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Chhetri D, Vengadassalapathy S, Venkadassalapathy S, Balachandran V, Umapathy VR, Veeraraghavan VP, Jayaraman S, Patil S, Iyaswamy A, Palaniyandi K, Gnanasampanthapandian D. Pleiotropic effects of DCLK1 in cancer and cancer stem cells. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:965730. [PMID: 36250024 PMCID: PMC9560780 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.965730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), a protein molecule, has been identified as a tumor stem cell marker in the cancer cells of gastrointestinal, pancreas, and human colon. DCLK1 expression in cancers, such as breast carcinoma, lung carcinoma, hepatic cell carcinoma, tuft cells, and human cholangiocarcinoma, has shown a way to target the DCLK1 gene and downregulate its expression. Several studies have discussed the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation along with neoplastic cell arrest when the DCLK1 gene, which is expressed in both cancer and normal cells, was targeted successfully. In addition, previous studies have shown that DCLK1 plays a vital role in various cancer metastases. The correlation of DCLK1 with numerous stem cell receptors, signaling pathways, and genes suggests its direct or an indirect role in promoting tumorigenesis. Moreover, the impact of DCLK1 was found to be related to the functioning of an oncogene. The downregulation of DCLK1 expression by using targeted strategies, such as embracing the use of siRNA, miRNA, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, nanomolecules, specific monoclonal antibodies, and silencing the pathways regulated by DCLK1, has shown promising results in both in vitro and in vivo studies on gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. In this review, we will discuss about the present understanding of DCLK1 and its role in the progression of GI cancer and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dibyashree Chhetri
- Cancer Science Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Srinivasan Vengadassalapathy
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
| | | | - Varadharaju Balachandran
- Department of Physiology, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Vidhya Rekha Umapathy
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India
| | - Vishnu Priya Veeraraghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Selvaraj Jayaraman
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Shankargouda Patil
- College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, South Jordan, UT, United States
| | - Ashok Iyaswamy
- Centre for Parkinsons Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kanagaraj Palaniyandi
- Cancer Science Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
- *Correspondence: Kanagaraj Palaniyandi, ; Dhanavathy Gnanasampanthapandian,
| | - Dhanavathy Gnanasampanthapandian
- Cancer Science Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India
- *Correspondence: Kanagaraj Palaniyandi, ; Dhanavathy Gnanasampanthapandian,
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Targeting Doublecortin-Like Kinase 1 (DCLK1)-Regulated SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis in COVID-19. J Virol 2022; 96:e0096722. [PMID: 35943255 PMCID: PMC9472619 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00967-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Host factors play critical roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated pathology and the severity of COVID-19. In this study, we systematically analyzed the roles of SARS-CoV-2-induced host factors, doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), and S100A9 in viral pathogenesis. In autopsied subjects with COVID-19 and pre-existing chronic liver disease, we observed high levels of DCLK1 and S100A9 expression and immunosuppressive (DCLK1+S100A9+CD206+) M2-like macrophages and N2-like neutrophils in lungs and livers. DCLK1 and S100A9 expression were rarely observed in normal controls, COVID-19-negative subjects with chronic lung disease, or COVID-19 subjects without chronic liver disease. In hospitalized patients with COVID-19, we detected 2 to 3-fold increased levels of circulating DCLK1+S100A9+ mononuclear cells that correlated with disease severity. We validated the SARS-CoV-2-dependent generation of these double-positive immune cells in coculture. SARS-CoV-2-induced DCLK1 expression correlated with the activation of β-catenin, a known regulator of the DCLK1 promoter. Gain and loss of function studies showed that DCLK1 kinase amplified live virus production and promoted cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Inhibition of DCLK1 kinase blocked pro-inflammatory caspase-1/interleukin-1β signaling in infected cells. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells with inhibitors of DCLK1 kinase and S100A9 normalized cytokine/chemokine profiles and attenuated DCLK1 expression and β-catenin activation. In conclusion, we report previously unidentified roles of DCLK1 in augmenting SARS-CoV-2 viremia, inflammatory cytokine expression, and dysregulation of immune cells involved in innate immunity. DCLK1 could be a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19, especially in patients with underlying comorbid diseases associated with DCLK1 expression. IMPORTANCE High mortality in COVID-19 is associated with underlying comorbidities such as chronic liver diseases. Successful treatment of severe/critical COVID-19 remains challenging. Herein, we report a targetable host factor, DCLK1, that amplifies SARS-CoV-2 production, cytokine secretion, and inflammatory pathways via activation of β-catenin(p65)/DCLK1/S100A9/NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, we observed in the lung, liver, and blood an increased prevalence of immune cells coexpressing DCLK1 and S100A9, a myeloid-derived proinflammatory protein. These cells were associated with increased disease severity in COVID-19 patients. Finally, we used a novel small-molecule inhibitor of DCLK1 kinase (DCLK1-IN-1) and S100A9 inhibitor (tasquinimod) to decrease virus production in vitro and normalize hyperinflammatory responses known to contribute to disease severity in COVID-19.
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Khan S, Zhang DY, Zhang JY, Hayat MK, Ren J, Nasir S, Fawad M, Bai Q. The Key Role of microRNAs in Initiation and Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:950374. [PMID: 35924150 PMCID: PMC9341471 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.950374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main type of primary liver malignancy and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a type of non-coding RNA that regulates gene expression mainly on post-transcriptional level has a confirmed and important role in numerous biological process. By regulating specific target genes, miRNA can act as oncogene or tumor suppressor. Recent evidence has indicated that the deregulation of miR-NAs is closely associated with the clinical pathological features of HCC. However, the precise regulatory mechanism of each miRNA and its targets in HCC has yet to be illuminated. This study demonstrates that both oncogenic and tumor suppressive miRNAs are crucial in the formation and development of HCC. miRNAs influence biological behavior including proliferation, invasion, metastasis and apoptosis by targeting critical genes. Here, we summarize current knowledge about the expression profile and function of miRNAs in HCC and discuss the potential for miRNA-based therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suliman Khan
- Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - De-Yu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ji-Yu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mian Khizar Hayat
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adopations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jingli Ren
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Big Data Analysis and Application, Henan Academy of Big Data, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Safyan Nasir
- Allied District Headquarter Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Fawad
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Big Data Analysis and Application, Henan Academy of Big Data, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Muhammad Fawad, ; Qian Bai,
| | - Qian Bai
- Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Muhammad Fawad, ; Qian Bai,
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9
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Ge Y, Liu H, Zhang Y, Liu J, Yan R, Xiao Z, Fan X, Huang X, An G. Inhibition of DCLK1 kinase reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition and restores T-cell activity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Transl Oncol 2022; 17:101317. [PMID: 34998236 PMCID: PMC8739467 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has recently become a promising cancer therapy with extensive applications of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) appears to be unresponsive to immunotherapy due to the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Recent studies showed that cancer stem cell marker DCLK1 promoted the initiation and development of PDAC. Nevertheless, the mechanism driving this process remains unclear. Here, by performing gain-of-function investigations in PDAC cell lines, we demonstrate that both DCLK1 long (DCLK1-iso1, DCLK1-AS) and short (DCLK1-iso4, DCLK1-BL) isoforms can efficiently activate EMT leading to tumor migration and invasion. Consistent with experiments in vitro, bioinformatic analysis demonstrates that DCLK1 may act as a driver of EMT activation in PDAC. Further analysis showed that EMT was associated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which includes more immunosuppressive cells and chemokines, and patients with a higher EMT score were less sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors according to the TIDE (Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion) algorithm. Multiplexed immunofluorescence results demonstrated the close correlation between DCLK1, EMT and immunosuppression in PDAC patients. The findings were further confirmed in vivo reflected by decreased CD4+, CD8+ T cells and increased M2 macrophages as well as E-cad loss in DCLK1-overexpressing subcutaneous tumors. Importantly, the highly-specific DCLK1 inhibitor (DCLK1-IN-1) was able to effectively block EMT process and restore T-cell activity. Altogether, our data demonstrate that DCLK1 is strongly associated with tumor immune escape in PDAC and inhibiting DCLK1 kinase activity may be a promising therapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ge
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
| | - Heshu Liu
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Huai-Rou Hospital, Beijing 101400, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Rui Yan
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Zeru Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiaona Fan
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xuying Huang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Guangyu An
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
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10
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Yu C, Liu Q, Wang J. A physical mechanism of heterogeneity and micro-metastasis in stem cell, cancer and cancer stem cell. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:075103. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0078196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chong Yu
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Stony Brook University, United States of America
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11
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Cheng L, Yang Z, Guo W, Wu C, Liang S, Tong A, Cao Z, Thorne RF, Yang SY, Yu Y, Chen Q. DCLK1 autoinhibition and activation in tumorigenesis. Innovation (N Y) 2022; 3:100191. [PMID: 34977835 PMCID: PMC8686072 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2021.100191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is upregulated in many tumors and is a marker for tumor stem cells. Accumulating evidence suggests DCLK1 constitutes a promising drug target for cancer therapy. However, the regulation of DCLK1 kinase activity is poorly understood, particularly the function of its autoinhibitory domain (AID), and, moreover, no physiological activators of DCLK1 have presently been reported. Here we determined the first DCLK1 kinase structure in the autoinhibited state and identified the neuronal calcium sensor HPCAL1 as an activator of DCLK1. The C-terminal AID functions to block the ATP-binding site and is competitive with ATP. HPCAL1 binds directly to the AID in a Ca2+-dependent manner, which releases the autoinhibition. We also analyzed cancer-associated mutations occurring in the AID and elucidate how these mutations disrupt DCLK1 autoinhibition to elicit kinase activity upregulation. Our results present a molecular mechanism for autoinhibition and activation of DCLK1 kinase activity and provide insights into DCLK1-associated tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linna Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China.,Institute of Hematology, Henan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Differentiation and Modification, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Zejing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wenhao Guo
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chengyong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shufang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Aiping Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhongwei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rick F Thorne
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Sheng-Yong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yamei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
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12
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Jang DM, Lim HJ, Hahn H, Lee Y, Kim HK, Kim HS. Structural Basis of Inhibition of DCLK1 by Ruxolitinib. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168488. [PMID: 34445192 PMCID: PMC8395186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the functional attributes of Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) in tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, cell motility, and tumor stemness, it is emerging as a therapeutic target in gastrointestinal cancers. Although a series of specific or nonspecific ATP-competitive inhibitors were identified against DCLK1, different types of scaffolds that can be utilized for the development of highly selective inhibitors or structural understanding of binding specificities of the compounds remain limited. Here, we present our work to repurpose a Janus kinase 1 inhibitor, ruxolitinib as a DCLK1 inhibitor, showing micromolar binding affinity and inhibitory activity. Furthermore, to gain an insight into its interaction mode with DCLK1, a crystal structure of the ruxolitinib-complexed DCLK1 has been determined and analyzed. Ruxolitinib as a nonspecific DCLK1 inhibitor characterized in this work is anticipated to provide a starting point for the structure-guided discovery of selective DCLK1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hark Kyun Kim
- Correspondence: (H.K.K.); (H.S.K.); Tel.: +82-31-920-2275 (H.S.K.)
| | - Hyoun Sook Kim
- Correspondence: (H.K.K.); (H.S.K.); Tel.: +82-31-920-2275 (H.S.K.)
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13
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Lorenzo N, Sabina DM, Guido C, Ilaria Grazia Z, Samira S, Valeria A, Daniele C, Diletta O, Antonella G, Marco M, Daniela B, Valerio DP, Andrea O, Agostino Maria DR, Fabio M, Maria Consiglia B, Jessica F, Sara M, Gian Luca G, Pierluigi Benedetti P, Paquale Bartomeo B, Felice G, Vincenzo C, Pietro I, Giuseppina C, Eugenio G, Domenico A. DCLK1, a Putative Stem Cell Marker in Human Cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatology 2021; 73:144-159. [PMID: 32978808 PMCID: PMC8243252 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a very aggressive cancer showing the presence of high cancer stem cells (CSCs). Doublecortin-like kinase1 (DCLK1) has been demonstrated as a CSC marker in different gastroenterological solid tumors. Our aim was to evaluate in vitro the expression and the biological function of DCLK1 in intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) and perihilar CCA (pCCA). APPROACH AND RESULTS Specimens surgically resected of human CCA were enzymatically digested, submitted to immunosorting for specific CSC markers (LGR5 [leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor], CD [clusters of differentiation] 90, EpCAM [epithelial cell adhesion molecule], CD133, and CD13), and primary cell cultures were prepared. DCLK1 expression was analyzed in CCA cell cultures by real-time quantitative PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Functional studies have been performed by evaluating the effects of selective DCLK1 inhibitor (LRRK2-IN-1) on cell proliferation (MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] assay, cell population doubling time), apoptosis, and colony formation capacity. DCLK1 was investigated in situ by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR. DCLK1 serum concentration was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We describe DCLK1 in CCA with an increased gene and protein DCLK1 expression in pCCALGR5+ and in iCCACD133+ cells compared with unsorted cells. LRRK2-IN-1 showed an anti-proliferative effect in a dose-dependent manner. LRRK2-IN-1 markedly impaired cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and decreased colony formation capacity and colony size in both iCCA and pCCA compared with the untreated cells. In situ analysis confirmed that DCLK1 is present only in tumors, and not in healthy tissue. Interestingly, DCLK1 was detected in the human serum samples of patients with iCCA (high), pCCA (high), HCC (low), and cirrhosis (low), but it was almost undetectable in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS DCLK1 characterizes a specific CSC subpopulation of iCCACD133+ and pCCALGR5+ , and its inhibition exerts anti-neoplastic effects in primary CCA cell cultures. Human DCLK1 serum might represent a serum biomarker for the early CCA diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevi Lorenzo
- Department of BiosciencesUniversity of MilanMilanItaly,Department of Translational and Precision MedicineSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Di Matteo Sabina
- Department of Translational and Precision MedicineSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly,Department of ImmunologyBambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Carpino Guido
- Department of MovementHuman and Health SciencesUniversity of Rome “Foro Italico”RomeItaly
| | | | - Safarikia Samira
- Department of Translational and Precision MedicineSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Ambrosino Valeria
- Department of Translational and Precision MedicineSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Costantini Daniele
- Department of Translational and Precision MedicineSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Overi Diletta
- Department of AnatomicalHistological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics SciencesSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Giancotti Antonella
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urologic SciencesUmberto I HospitalSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Monti Marco
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urologic SciencesUmberto I HospitalSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Bosco Daniela
- Department of Pathological Anatomy and CytodiagnosticSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - De Peppo Valerio
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery IRCCSRegina Elena National Cancer InstituteRomeItaly
| | - Oddi Andrea
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery IRCCSRegina Elena National Cancer InstituteRomeItaly
| | - De Rose Agostino Maria
- Surgery, Hepatobiliary UnitCatholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine and SurgeryRomeItaly
| | - Melandro Fabio
- Department of General Surgery and Organ TransplantationSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | | | - Faccioli Jessica
- Department of Medico‐Surgical Sciences and BiotechnologiesSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Massironi Sara
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver DiseasesDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of Milan‐BicoccaMonzaItaly,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE‐LIVER)San Gerardo HospitalMonzaItaly
| | - Grazi Gian Luca
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery IRCCSRegina Elena National Cancer InstituteRomeItaly
| | - Panici Pierluigi Benedetti
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urologic SciencesUmberto I HospitalSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | | | - Giuliante Felice
- Surgery, Hepatobiliary UnitCatholic University of the Sacred Heart School of Medicine and SurgeryRomeItaly
| | - Cardinale Vincenzo
- Department of Medico‐Surgical Sciences and BiotechnologiesSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Invernizzi Pietro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver DiseasesDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of Milan‐BicoccaMonzaItaly,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE‐LIVER)San Gerardo HospitalMonzaItaly
| | | | - Gaudio Eugenio
- Department of AnatomicalHistological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics SciencesSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Alvaro Domenico
- Department of Translational and Precision MedicineSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
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14
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Tuft and Cancer Stem Cell Marker DCLK1: A New Target to Enhance Anti-Tumor Immunity in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123801. [PMID: 33348546 PMCID: PMC7766931 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is a tumor stem cell marker in colon, pancreatic, and potentially other cancers that has received wide attention recently. Aside from its role as a tuft cell marker in normal tissue and as a tumor stem cell marker in cancer, previous studies have demonstrated that silencing DCLK1 functionally reduces stemness, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), and tumorigenesis in cancers. More recently, DCLK1′s role in regulating the inflammatory, pre-cancer, and tumor microenvironment including its ability to modulate immune cell mechanisms has started to come into focus. Importantly, clinically viable therapeutic means of targeting DCLK1 have finally become available in the form of kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T). Herein, we comprehensively review the mechanistic role of DCLK1 in the tumor microenvironment, assess the potential for targeting DCLK1 in colon, pancreatic and renal cancer. Abstract Microtubule-associated doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is an accepted marker of tuft cells (TCs) and several kinds of cancer stem cells (CSCs), and emerging evidence suggests that DCLK1-positive TCs participate in the initiation and formation of inflammation-associated cancer. DCLK1-expressing CSCs regulate multiple biological processes in cancer, promote resistance to therapy, and are associated with metastasis. In solid tumor cancers, tumor epithelia, immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells and blood vessels, extracellular matrix, and hypoxia all support a CSC phenotype characterized by drug resistance, recurrence, and metastasis. Recently, studies have shown that DCLK1-positive CSCs are associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and immune checkpoint. Emerging data concerning targeting DCLK1 with small molecular inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor T-cells shows promising effects on inhibiting tumor growth and regulating the tumor immune microenvironment. Overall, DCLK1 is reaching maturity as an anti-cancer target and therapies directed against it may have potential against CSCs directly, in remodeling the tumor microenvironment, and as immunotherapies.
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15
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Liu Y, Ferguson FM, Li L, Kuljanin M, Mills CE, Subramanian K, Harshbarger W, Gondi S, Wang J, Sorger PK, Mancias JD, Gray NS, Westover KD. Chemical Biology Toolkit for DCLK1 Reveals Connection to RNA Processing. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:1229-1240.e4. [PMID: 32755567 PMCID: PMC8053042 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is critical for neurogenesis, but overexpression is also observed in multiple cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. Nevertheless, the function of DCLK1 in cancer, especially the context-dependent functions, are poorly understood. We present a "toolkit" that includes the DCLK1 inhibitor DCLK1-IN-1, a complementary DCLK1-IN-1-resistant mutation G532A, and kinase dead mutants D511N and D533N, which can be used to investigate signaling pathways regulated by DCLK1. Using a cancer cell line engineered to be DCLK1 dependent for growth and cell migration, we show that this toolkit can be used to discover associations between DCLK1 kinase activity and biological processes. In particular, we show an association between DCLK1 and RNA processing, including the identification of CDK11 as a potential substrate of DCLK1 using phosphoproteomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Fleur M Ferguson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lianbo Li
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Miljan Kuljanin
- Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Caitlin E Mills
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kartik Subramanian
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wayne Harshbarger
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Sudershan Gondi
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter K Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joseph D Mancias
- Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kenneth D Westover
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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16
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Fan M, Yan H, Gou M, Qian N, Dai G. Divergent expression of DCLK1 in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors and primary hepatic, gallbladder, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2020; 13:2249-2258. [PMID: 33042329 PMCID: PMC7539880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is reported to be a negative prognostic marker in colorectal cancer and is involved in tumorigenesis and progression through several miRNA pathways. In this study, We analyzed its expression in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and explored its relation with survival outcome. 122 patients were enrolled in the study, including 60 cases of GI-NETs, 24 cases of primary hepatic NETs (PHNETs), 16 cases of gallbladder NETs (GBNETs) and 22 cases of pancreatic NETs (pNETs). IHC was performed for DCLK1 on tumor tissue. All patients underwent a baseline visit, histologic determination, and a follow-up for survival. In the 60 cases of GI-NETs, DCLK1 showed diffuse cytoplasmic expression. The positive rates of DCLK1, Syn and CgA were 100% (60/60), 100% (60/60) and 36.7% (22/60), respectively. However, DCLK1 showed negative staining in all of the 62 cases of PHNETs, GBNETs, and pNETs. The mean score of DCLK1, Syn, and CgA were (5.77±2.012), (5.13±2.078) and (2.68±2.797), respectively. DCLK1 was correlated with primary site (P<0.001) and Syn expression (P = 0.045). Additionally, in GI-NETs, we found that DCLK1 expression was associated with worse OS (log-rank = 5.212, P = 0.022). The divergent expression of DCLK1 in NETs suggests different functional roles of DCLK1 in different locations of NET within the digestive system. However, with the limited number of tumor samples, its outcome prediciton still needs further investigation. DCLK1 expression may aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of GI-NETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Fan
- Oncology Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing, China
| | - Huan Yan
- Oncology Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing, China
| | - Miaomiao Gou
- Oncology Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing, China
| | - Niansong Qian
- Oncology Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing, China
| | - Guanghai Dai
- Oncology Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing, China
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17
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Doublecortin-like kinase 1 promotes hepatocyte clonogenicity and oncogenic programming via non-canonical β-catenin-dependent mechanism. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10578. [PMID: 32601309 PMCID: PMC7324569 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67401-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver injury is a risk factor for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The molecular mechanisms that regulate the decision between normal injury repair and neoplastic initiation are unclear. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), a tumor stem cell marker, is induced during cirrhosis and HCC. Here, we demonstrate that DCLK1-overexpressing primary human hepatocytes formed spheroids in suspension cultures. Spheroids derived from DCLK1-overexpressing hepatoma cells showed high level expression of active β-catenin, α-fetoprotein, and SOX9, suggesting that DCLK1 overexpression induces clonogenicity and dedifferentiated phenotypes in hepatoma cells. DCLK1 overexpression in hepatoma cells also increased phosphorylation of GSK-3β at Ser9. This was associated with an induction of a 48-kDa active β-catenin with a preserved hypophosphorylated N-terminus that interacted with nuclear TCF-4 resulting in luciferase reporter activity and cyclin D1 expression. DCLK1 downregulation inhibited 48-kDa β-catenin expression. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib did not block the 48-kDa β-catenin, instead, caused a threefold accumulation, suggesting a proteasome-independent mechanism. Liver tissues from patients with cirrhosis and HCC revealed epithelial co-staining of DCLK1 and active β-catenin, and cleaved E-cadherin. Repopulated DCLK1-overexpressing primary human hepatocytes in humanized FRG mouse livers demonstrated active β-catenin. In conclusion, DCLK1 regulates oncogenic signaling and clonogenicity of hepatocytes by a novel non-canonical/atypical β-catenin-dependent mechanism.
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18
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Sureban SM, Berahovich R, Zhou H, Xu S, Wu L, Ding K, May R, Qu D, Bannerman-Menson E, Golubovskaya V, Houchen CW. DCLK1 Monoclonal Antibody-Based CAR-T Cells as a Novel Treatment Strategy against Human Colorectal Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010054. [PMID: 31878090 PMCID: PMC7016951 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cells) immunotherapy is effective in many hematological cancers; however, efficacy in solid tumors is disappointing. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) labels tumor stem cells (TSCs) in genetic mouse models of colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we describe a novel CAR-T targeting DCLK1 (CBT-511; with our proprietary DCLK1 single-chain antibody variable fragment) as a treatment strategy to eradicate CRC TSCs. The cell surface expression of DCLK1 and cytotoxicity of CBT-511 were assessed in CRC cells (HT29, HCT116, and LoVo). LoVo-derived tumor xenografts in NOD Scid gamma (NSGTM)mice were treated with CBT-511 or mock CAR-T cells. Adherent CRC cells express surface DCLK1 (two-dimensional, 2D). A 4.5-fold increase in surface DCLK1 was observed when HT29 cells were grown as spheroids (three-dimensional, 3D). CBT-511 induced cytotoxicity (2D; p < 0.0001), and increased Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release in CRC cells (2D) compared to mock CAR-T (p < 0.0001). Moreover, an even greater increase in IFN-γ release was observed when cells were grown in 3D. CBT-511 reduced tumor growth by approximately 50 percent compared to mock CAR-T. These data suggest that CRC cells with increased clonogenic capacity express increased surface DCLK1. A DCLK1-targeted CAR-T can induce cytotoxicity in vitro and inhibit xenograft growth in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sripathi M. Sureban
- COARE Holdings Inc., Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA; (R.M.); (D.Q.); (E.B.-M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
- Correspondence: (S.M.S.); (C.W.H.); Tel.: +1-405-271-5428 (S.M.S. & C.W.H.)
| | - Robert Berahovich
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Hua Zhou
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Shirley Xu
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Lijun Wu
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Kai Ding
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
| | - Randal May
- COARE Holdings Inc., Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA; (R.M.); (D.Q.); (E.B.-M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
| | - Dongfeng Qu
- COARE Holdings Inc., Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA; (R.M.); (D.Q.); (E.B.-M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
| | | | - Vita Golubovskaya
- ProMab Biotechnologies Inc., Richmond, CA 94806, USA; (R.B.); (H.Z.); (S.X.); (L.W.); (V.G.)
| | - Courtney W. Houchen
- COARE Holdings Inc., Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA; (R.M.); (D.Q.); (E.B.-M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Section, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, OK 73014, USA;
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
- Correspondence: (S.M.S.); (C.W.H.); Tel.: +1-405-271-5428 (S.M.S. & C.W.H.)
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Leone P, Buonavoglia A, Fasano R, Solimando AG, De Re V, Cicco S, Vacca A, Racanelli V. Insights into the Regulation of Tumor Angiogenesis by Micro-RNAs. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8122030. [PMID: 31757094 PMCID: PMC6947031 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of cancer is angiogenesis, a series of events leading to the formation of the abnormal vascular network required for tumor growth, development, progression, and metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs whose functions include modulation of the expression of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors and regulation of the function of vascular endothelial cells. Vascular-associated microRNAs can be either pro- or anti-angiogenic. In cancer, miRNA expression levels are deregulated and typically vary during tumor progression. Experimental data indicate that the tumor phenotype can be modified by targeting miRNA expression. Based on these observations, miRNAs may be promising targets for the development of novel anti-angiogenic therapies. This review discusses the role of various miRNAs and their targets in tumor angiogenesis, describes the strategies and challenges of miRNA-based anti-angiogenic therapies and explores the potential use of miRNAs as biomarkers for anti-angiogenic therapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Leone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (R.F.); (A.G.S.); (S.C.); (A.V.); (V.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-080-5478050; Fax: +39-080-5478-045
| | - Alessio Buonavoglia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (R.F.); (A.G.S.); (S.C.); (A.V.); (V.R.)
| | - Rossella Fasano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (R.F.); (A.G.S.); (S.C.); (A.V.); (V.R.)
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (R.F.); (A.G.S.); (S.C.); (A.V.); (V.R.)
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II” of Bari, Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Valli De Re
- Bio-Proteomics Facility, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy;
| | - Sebastiano Cicco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (R.F.); (A.G.S.); (S.C.); (A.V.); (V.R.)
| | - Angelo Vacca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (R.F.); (A.G.S.); (S.C.); (A.V.); (V.R.)
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.B.); (R.F.); (A.G.S.); (S.C.); (A.V.); (V.R.)
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Li L, Mei H, Commey ANA. Application of RNA-sequencing to identify transcriptome modification by DCLK1 in colorectal cancer cells. Cancer Gene Ther 2019; 27:691-701. [PMID: 31636360 PMCID: PMC7170768 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-019-0144-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Doublecortin like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is a cancer stem cell marker for the colorectal cancer (CRC). It plays critical roles in the oncogenesis, progression and metastasis of CRC. DCLK1 can be an intriguing therapeutic target for CRC treatment. However, the molecular mechanism of how DCLK1 functions is unclear currently. In our research, we aim to apply RNA-Sequencing (RNA Seq) technology, a high throughput massively Next Generation Sequencing approach, to monitor transcriptome changes due to DCLK1 over-expression in the CRC cells. In order to achieve our goal, RNA from quadruplicate samples from two clones of isogenic DCLK1 stable over-expression cells and the parental wild type HCT116 cells was sent for RNA Seq on the Illumina NextSeq500 platform. Differentially expressed (DE) genes were evaluated by t-test (P <0.05 and fold-change ±1.5 or greater) using two methods: (1) FWER; and (2) Benjamani and Hochberg FDR (false discovery rate) which corrects for multiple comparisons. Gene networks and functional analysis were evaluated using Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA). We identified 1463 DE genes common for both DCLK1 overexpression clone A and clone B cells. IPA results indicated that 72 canonical pathways were significantly modified by DCLK1 over-expression (P<0.05), among which 9 out of the top 10 pathways are involved in the cell cycle regulation, indicating that DCLK1 might play its tumorigenesis role via activation of pathways facilitating cell proliferation, repression of pathways inhibiting cells proliferation and function against pathways facilitating cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis results confirmed the IPA findings, which demonstrated that DCLK1 over-expression cells had much less G0/G1 cells but much more S and G2/M cells (P<0.05). In conclusion, DCLK1 over-expression significantly modified transcriptome profile of CRC cancer cells. Control of the cell cycle regulation might be one of the critical mechanism for DCLK1 function. Our findings provide more direct evidence for the development of DCLK1 as a therapeutic target for CRC treatment, and will be of great benefit for the discovery of novel therapeutic target within the DCLK1 molecular network for the treatment of colorectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianna Li
- Biology Department, Tougaloo College, 500 West County Line Road, Tougaloo, MS, 39174, USA.
| | - Hao Mei
- Department of Data Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA.
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Li L, Jones K, Mei H. Doublecotin-Like Kinase 1 Increases Chemoresistance of Colorectal Cancer Cells through the Anti-Apoptosis Pathway. JOURNAL OF STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY 2019; 9. [PMID: 31372308 DOI: 10.4172/2157-7633.1000447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are believed to be the primary reason for the recurrence of CRC. Specific stem cell marker, doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) plays critical roles in the tumorigenesis and progression of CRC. Up-regulation of DCLK1 is correlated with poor prognosis. Whether DCLK1 is correlated with enhanced chemoresistance of CRC cells is unclear. We aim to reveal the association of DCLK1 with chemoresistance of CRC cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods Stable DCLK1 over-expression cells (DCLK1+) were established using the HCT116 cells (WT). DCLK1+ and WT cells were treated with 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) at different doses for 24 or 48 hours. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability and IC50 of 5-Fu was determined. Quantitative real-time PCR was applied to determine the gene expression of caspase-3 (casp-3), casp-4, and casp-10. Cleaved casp-3 expression was investigated using Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results Our results demonstrated that IC50 of 5-Fu for the DCLK1+ cells was significantly higher than that of the WT cells for both 24 and 48-hour treatment (p=0.002 and 0.048 respectively), indicating increased chemoresistance of the DCLK1+ cells. Gene expression of casp-3, casp-4, and casp-10 were significantly inhibited in the DCLK1+ cells after 5-Fu treatment compared to the WT cells (p=7.616e-08, 1.575e-05 and 5.307e-08, respectively). Cleaved casp-3 amount and casp-3 positive cells were significantly decreased in the DCLK1+ cells after 5-Fu treatment compared to the WT cells (p=0.015). Conclusions In conclusion, our results demonstrated that DCLK1 overexpression enhanced the chemoresistance of CRC cells to 5-Fu treatment by suppressing gene expression of key caspases in the apoptosis pathway and activation of the apoptosis pathway. DCLK1 can be an intriguing therapeutic target for the effective treatment of CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianna Li
- Biology Department, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, USA
| | - Kierra Jones
- Biology Department, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, USA
| | - Hao Mei
- Department of Data Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, USA
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22
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Shafiei S, Kalantari E, Saeednejad Zanjani L, Abolhasani M, Asadi Lari MH, Madjd Z. Increased expression of DCLK1, a novel putative CSC maker, is associated with tumor aggressiveness and worse disease-specific survival in patients with bladder carcinomas. Exp Mol Pathol 2019; 108:164-172. [PMID: 31028726 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) has been characterized as a novel potential cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in several types of cancer. It is considered as one of the most specific markers for distinguishing colorectal CSCs from normal stem cells. Yet, there are limited reports on the role of DCLK1 as a putative CSC marker in bladder cancer. Using immunohistochemistry, DCLK1 expression was examined in a well-defined tissue microarray series of 472 bladder cancer tissues. The association between DCLK1 protein expression and clinicopathological features, as well as survival outcomes, was assessed. Our findings showed strong, moderate, and weak DCLK1 expression in 123 (26.1%), 230 (48.7%), and 119 (25.2%) of the bladder cancer specimens, respectively. Higher expression of DCLK1 was significantly associated with increase in histological grade (P ≤ .001), pT stage (P = .014), lamina propria (P = .006), and lamina propria/muscularis (L/M) involvement (P = .014). On multivariate analysis, pT stage (P < .001), histological grade (P = .021), and lamina propria involvement (P = .001) were independent prognostic factors in DCLK1 expression. Moreover, the expression of DCLK1 was found to be an independent marker of poor prognosis for disease- specific survival (DSS) (P = .048) in bladder carcinomas. Our observations showed that DCLK1 expression was associated with more aggressive tumor behavior, more advanced disease, and poorer DSS in patients with bladder carcinomas. However, any potential clinical applications of DCLK1 as a novel target molecule in bladder cancer patients would require further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Shafiei
- Dep of Pathology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Kalantari
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Abolhasani
- Dep of Pathology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, (IUMS), Tehran, Iran; Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran; Hasheminejad Kidney, Iran University of Medical Sciences, (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Madjd
- Dep of Pathology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, (IUMS), Tehran, Iran; Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran; Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada..
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Nevo S, Kadouri N, Abramson J. Tuft cells: From the mucosa to the thymus. Immunol Lett 2019; 210:1-9. [PMID: 30904566 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tuft cells are epithelial chemosensory cells with unique morphological and molecular characteristics, the most noticeable of which is a tuft of long and thick microvilli on their apical side, as well as expression of a very distinct set of genes, including genes encoding various members of the taste transduction machinery and pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenases. Initially discovered in rat trachea, tuft cells were gradually identified in various mucosal tissues, and later also in non-mucosal tissues, most recent of which is the thymus. Although tuft cells were discovered more than 60 years ago, their functions in the various tissues remained a mystery until recent years. Today, tuft cells are thought to function as sensors of various types of chemical signals, to which they respond by secretion of diverse biological mediators such as IL25 or acetylcholine. Intestinal tuft cells were also shown to mediate type 2 immunity against parasites. Here, we review the current knowledge on tuft cell characteristics, development and heterogeneity, discuss their potential functions and explore the possible implications and significance of their discovery in the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shir Nevo
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Noam Kadouri
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Jakub Abramson
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Xu J, Tan Y, Shao X, Zhang C, He Y, Wang J, Xi Y. Evaluation of NCAM and c-Kit as hepatic progenitor cell markers for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. Pathol Res Pract 2018; 214:2011-2017. [PMID: 30301635 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICCs) are primary liver malignancies and are the second most common type of malignancy after hepatocellular carcinoma. ICCs are heterogeneous in clinical features, genotype, and biological behavior, suggesting that ICCs can initiate in different cell lineages. AIM We investigated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma RBE cell lines for the markers neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and c-Kit, which possess hepatic progenitor cells properties. METHODS NCAM + c-Kit + cells were tested for hepatic progenitor cell properties including proliferation ability, colony formation, spheroid formation, and invasiveness in NOD/SCID mice. The Agilent Whole Human Genome Microarray Kit was used to evaluate differences in gene expression related to stem cell signaling pathways between NCAM + c-Kit + and NCAM-c-Kit- subset cells. Microarray results were further confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS NCAM + c-Kit + cells showed hepatic progenitor cell-like traits including the abilities to self-renew and differentiate and tumorigenicity in NOD/SCID mice. Differences were observed in the expression of 421 genes related to stem cell signaling pathways (fc ≥ 2 or fc ≤ 0.5), among which 231 genes were upregulated and 190 genes were downregulated. CONCLUSION NCAM + c-Kit + subset cells in RBE may have properties of hepatic progenitor cells. NCAM combined with c-Kit may be a valuable marker for isolating and purifying ICC stem/progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Department of Pathology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Yanhong Tan
- Institute of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaoxia Shao
- Department of Pathology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Cuiming Zhang
- Department of ultrasound, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanling He
- Department of Pathology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yanfeng Xi
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
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Liu W, Wang S, Sun Q, Yang Z, Liu M, Tang H. DCLK1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway in colorectal cancer. Int J Cancer 2018; 142:2068-2079. [PMID: 29277893 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Double cortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) plays important roles during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in human colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role of DCLK1 in regulating the EMT of CRC is still poorly understood. In this study, we report evidence that DCLK1 acts as a potent oncogene to drive its extremely malignant character of EMT in an NF-κB-dependent manner in CRC cells. Mechanistic investigations showed that DCLK1 induced the NF-κBp65 subunit expression through the PI3K/Akt/Sp1 axis and activated NF-κBp65 through the PI3K/Akt/IκBα pathway during the EMT of CRC cells. Moreover, we found that silencing the expression of DCLK1 inhibited the invasion and metastasis of CRC cells in vivo. Collectively, our findings identify DCLK1 as a pivotal regulator of an EMT axis in CRC, thus implicating DCLK1 as a potential therapeutic target for CRC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiying Liu
- Tianjin Life Science Research Center and Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shixing Wang
- Tianjin Life Science Research Center and Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Tianjin Life Science Research Center and Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Tianjin Life Science Research Center and Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Min Liu
- Tianjin Life Science Research Center and Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Tang
- Tianjin Life Science Research Center and Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Jia YY, Zhao JY, Li BL, Gao K, Song Y, Liu MY, Yang XJ, Xue Y, Wen AD, Shi L. miR-592/WSB1/HIF-1α axis inhibits glycolytic metabolism to decrease hepatocellular carcinoma growth. Oncotarget 2018; 7:35257-69. [PMID: 27153552 PMCID: PMC5085226 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells rapidly switch their energy source from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolytic metabolism in order to efficiently proliferate. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this switch remain unclear. In this study, we found that miR-592 was frequently downregulated in human HCC tissues and cell lines, and its downregulation was closely correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of HCC patients. Overexpression of miR-592 inhibited aerobic glycolysis and proliferation in HCC cells in vitro. Conversely, knockdown of miR-592 promoted HCC growth in both subcutaneous injection and orthotopic liver tumor implantation models in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-592 downregulation in human HCCs was correlated with an upregulation of WD repeat and SOCS box containing 1 (WSB1). We further showed that miR-592 directly binds to the 3'-UTR of the WSB1 gene, thus disrupting hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein stabilization. In turn, overexpression of WSB1 in HCC cells rescued decreased HIF-1α expression, glucose uptake, and HCC growth induced by miR-592. Collectively, our clinical data and functional studies suggest that miR-592 is a new robust inhibitor of the Warburg effect and a promising therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Yan Jia
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of People's Liberation Army, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China.,Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Jin-Yi Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Bing-Ling Li
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of People's Liberation Army, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Kai Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Ying Song
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Mei-You Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Juan Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Yan Xue
- Department of Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Ai-Dong Wen
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of People's Liberation Army, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
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Morio K, Yashima K, Tamoto A, Hosoda K, Yamamoto S, Iwamoto T, Ueda N, Ikebuchi Y, Kawaguchi K, Harada K, Murawaki Y, Isomoto H. Expression of doublecortin and CaM kinase-like-1 protein in serrated neoplasia of the colorectum. Biomed Rep 2018; 8:47-50. [PMID: 29399338 PMCID: PMC5772451 DOI: 10.3892/br.2017.1017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The adenoma-carcinoma sequence (ACS) and the serrated pathway are two distinct developmental routes leading to the formation of colorectal carcinoma. Recently, the doublecortin and CaM kinase-like-1 protein (DCLK1) has been reported to serve as an intestinal cancer stem cell marker and has been demonstrated to be overexpressed through the ACS; however, there is a lack of reports on the role of DCLK1 in the serrated pathway. To clarify the correlation between DCLK1 protein expression and clinicopathological characteristics of the serrated tumorigenic pathway, the present study used immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of DCLK1 in endoscopically resected samples of 62 serrated polyps [20 hyperplastic polyps (HPs), 16 traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs) and 26 sessile serrated adenoma-polyps (SSA/Ps)], as well as 20 non-serrated adenomas, 20 carcinoma in adenomas (CIAs) and 18 early pure colorectal carcinomas without any adenoma component (EPCs). Based on immunostaining score, high DCLK1 expression was detected in 20.0% of HPs (23.1% of microvesicular HPs and 14.3% of goblet cell HPs), 37.5% of TSAs, 7.7% of SSA/Ps, 80.0% of non-serrated adenomas, 75.0% of CIAs and 50.0% of EPCs. Negative or low DCLK1 expression was frequently observed in TSAs (P<0.005), SSA/Ps (P<0.00001) and EPCs (P<0.04) compared with non-serrated adenomas and CIAs. In addition, negative or low DCLK1 expression was significantly more frequent in SSA/Ps (92.3%) compared with TSAs (62.5%; P<0.05). Thus, the expression pattern of DCLK1 between the serrated pathway and ACS differed, indicating that DCLK1 expression may perform a secondary role in serrated tumorigenesis. In addition, the data indicates that EPCs may contain tumors derived from the serrated pathway as well as the ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Morio
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Kazuo Yashima
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Akihiro Tamoto
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Kohei Hosoda
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Sohei Yamamoto
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Taku Iwamoto
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Naoki Ueda
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Ikebuchi
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Koichiro Kawaguchi
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Kenichi Harada
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Murawaki
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
| | - Hajime Isomoto
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan
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Involvement of inflammation and its related microRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:22145-22165. [PMID: 27888618 PMCID: PMC5400654 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most commonly diagnosed type of cancer. The tumor inflammatory microenvironment regulates almost every step towards liver tumorigenesis and subsequent progression, and regulation of the inflammation-related signaling pathways, cytokines, chemokines and non-coding RNAs influences the proliferation, migration and metastasis of liver tumor cells. Inflammation fine-tunes the cancer microenvironment to favor epithelial-mesenchymal transition, in which cancer stem cells maintain tumorigenic potential. Emerging evidence points to inflammation-related microRNAs as crucial molecules to integrate the complex cellular and molecular crosstalk during HCC progression. Thus understanding the mechanisms by which inflammation regulates microRNAs might provide novel and admissible strategies for preventing, diagnosing and treating HCC. In this review, we will update three hypotheses of hepatocarcinogenesis and elaborate the most predominant inflammation signaling pathways, i.e. IL-6/STAT3 and NF-κB. We also try to summarize the crucial tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing microRNAs and detail how they regulate HCC initiation and progression and collaborate with other critical modulators in this review.
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Fan M, Qian N, Dai G. Expression and prognostic significance of doublecortin-like kinase 1 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:7529-7537. [PMID: 29344199 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1), a putative cancer stem cell marker in intestinal and pancreatic tumors, is associated with tumor pathogenesis and progression, and poor survival outcomes in numerous types of cancer. However, DCLK1 expression and its prognostic value remain unclear in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, the expression of DCLK1 was assessed using immunohistochemistry in 96 resected HCC and 68 adjacent tissue specimens. The staining intensity and the percentage of stained cells were scored on a scale of 0-3 and 0-4, respectively. Tissue was defined as positive for DCLK1 if the composite multiple score was >3. Cytoplasmic expression of DCLK1 was observed in HCC and adjacent tissue specimens with an expression rate of 81% (78/96) and 74% (50/68), respectively; the median score was 4.6 and 3.9, respectively, and no statistically significant difference was observed between HCC and adjacent tissues (P=0.087). DCLK1 expression was positively associated with intrahepatic metastasis (P=0.035). Furthermore, univariate analysis revealed that DCLK1 expression was significantly associated with poor disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (P=0.024 and 0.034). Multivariate analysis also demonstrated that DCLK1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for DFS in HCC (P=0.019; hazard ratio, 1.546; 95% confidence interval, 1.330-1.725). Stratified Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that DCLK1 expression predicted poorer DFS with respect to positivity for three characteristics: Portal venous metastasis, intrahepatic metastasis, and cirrhosis (P=0.020, P=0.007 and P=0.017, respectively). Collectively, the results of the present study suggested that DCLK1, functioning as a tumor promoter, is frequently overexpressed in HCC, and that DCLK1 expression is associated with poor DFS in patients with HCC. DCLK1 may represent a promising therapeutic target in HCC and requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Fan
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Niansong Qian
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Guanghai Dai
- Department of Oncology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
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Increased DCLK1 correlates with the malignant status and poor outcome in malignant tumors: a meta-analysis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:100545-100557. [PMID: 29246000 PMCID: PMC5725042 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) has been found to be involved in malignant biological behavior of cancers and poor prognosis of cancer patients. The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically clarify the relationships between expression level of DCLK1 and clinicopathological characteristics in tumors and assess its clinical value in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. 18 eligible studies with a total of 2660 patients were identified by searching the electronic bibliographic databases. Pooled results showed that DCLK1 was highly expressed in tissues from cancer patients compared to normal tissues (OR, 10.00), and overexpression of DCLK1 was significantly correlated with advanced clinical stage (OR, 2.48), positive lymph node metastasis (OR, 2.18), poorly differentiated cancers (OR, 1.83) and poor overall survival (HR, 2.15). The overall combined sensitivity and specificity for DCLK1 in distinguishing malignant tumors were 0.58 and 0.90, respectively. The mean diagnostic odds ratio was 12.70, and the corresponding area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.78. In summary, our study indicated that DCLK1 could be a risk factor for development of malignant tumors and may serve as a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for malignant tumors.
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Zhang S, Zhang G, Guo H. DCAMKL1 is associated with the malignant status and poor outcome in bladder cancer. Tumour Biol 2017. [PMID: 28621231 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317703822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
DCAMKL1 (doublecortin and CaM kinase-like 1) has been found to be overexpressed and function as an oncogene in several types of cancer, but there are limited reports on the role of DCAMKL1 in bladder cancer. The messenger RNA and protein expression of DCAMKL1 in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, or immunohistochemistry. The correlation between DCAMKL1 protein expression and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were adopted to evaluate prognostic significance of DCAMKL1 in bladder cancer patients. In our results, DCAMKL1 messenger RNA and protein were overexpressed in bladder cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. DCAMKL1 protein overexpression was positively associated with clinical stage, muscularis invasion, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis. The univariate and multivariate analyses suggested DCAMKL1 protein overexpression was an unfavorable prognostic factor in bladder cancer patients. In conclusion, DCAMKL1 is an independent poor prognostic factor for bladder cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqing Zhang
- 1 Department of Urology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Guoqing Zhang
- 2 Department of Planning Immunization, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Hongbo Guo
- 1 Department of Urology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, China
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Doublecortin-like kinase 1 is a novel biomarker for prognosis and regulates growth and metastasis in basal-like breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.01.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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MicroRNA-424 inhibits cell migration, invasion, and epithelial mesenchymal transition by downregulating doublecortin-like kinase 1 in ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2017; 85:66-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2017.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Sulfasalazine attenuates evading anticancer response of CD133-positive hepatocellular carcinoma cells. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017; 36:38. [PMID: 28253902 PMCID: PMC5335796 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0511-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background CD133-positive cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibit cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties as well as resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and ionizing radiation; however, their function remains unknown. In this paper, we identified a hitherto unknown mechanism to overcome CD133-induced resistance to anticancer therapy. Methods We applied an alternative approach to enrich the CD133-positive HCC population by manipulating 3D culture conditions. Defense mechanisms against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CSC spheroids were evaluated by fluorescence image-based phenotypic screening system. Further, we studied the effect of sulfasalazine on ROS defense system and synergistic therapeutic efficacy of anticancer therapies both in culture and in vivo HCC xenograft mouse model. Results Here, we found that oxidative stress increase CD133 expression in HCC and increased CD133 expression enhanced the capacity of the defense system against ROS, and thereby play a central role in resistance to liver cancer therapy. Moreover, ablation of CD133 attenuated not only the capacity for defense against ROS, but also chemoresistance, in HCC through decreasing glutathione (GSH) levels in vitro. Sulfasalazine, a potent xCT inhibitor that plays an important role in maintaining GSH levels, impaired the ROS defense system and increased the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer therapies in CD133-positive HCC but not CD133-negative HCC in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion These results strongly indicate functional roles for CD133 in ROS defense and in evading anticancer therapies in HCC, and suggest that sulfasalazine, administered in combination with conventional chemotherapy, might be an effective strategy against CD133-positive HCC cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-017-0511-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Dclk1, a tumor stem cell marker, regulates pro-survival signaling and self-renewal of intestinal tumor cells. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:30. [PMID: 28148261 PMCID: PMC5286867 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0594-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than 80% of intestinal neoplasia is associated with the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (Dclk1), a kinase protein, is overexpressed in colorectal cancer and specifically marks tumor stem cells (TSCs) that self-renew and increased the tumor progeny in Apc Min/+ mice. However, the role of Dclk1 expression and its contribution to regulating pro-survival signaling for tumor progression in Apc mutant cancer is poorly understood. METHODS We analyzed DCLK1 and pro-survival signaling gene expression datasets of 329 specimens from TCGA Colon Adenocarcinoma Cancer Data. The network of DCLK1 and pro-survival signaling was analyzed utilizing the GeneMANIA database. We examined the expression levels of Dclk1 and other stem cell-associated markers, pro-survival signaling pathways, cell self-renewal in the isolated intestinal epithelial cells of Apc Min/+ mice with high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. To determine the functional role of Dclk1 for tumor progression, we knocked down Dclk1 and determined the pro-survival signaling pathways and stemness. We used siRNA technology to gene silence pro-survival signaling in colon cancer cells in vitro. We utilized FACS, IHC, western blot, RT-PCR, and clonogenic (self-renewal) assays. RESULTS We found a correlation between DCLK1 and pro-survival signaling expression. The expression of Dclk1 and stem cell-associated markers Lgr5, Bmi1, and Musashi1 were significantly higher in the intestinal epithelial cells of Apc Min/+ mice than in wild-type controls. Intestinal epithelial cells of Apc Min/+ mice showed increased expression of pro-survival signaling, pluripotency and self-renewal ability. Furthermore, the enteroids formed from the intestinal Dclk1+ cells of Apc Min/+ mice display higher pluripotency and pro-survival signaling. Dclk1 knockdown in Apc Min/+ mice attenuates intestinal adenomas and adenocarcinoma, and decreases pro-survival signaling and self-renewal. Knocking down RELA and NOTCH1 pro-survival signaling and DCLK1 in HT29 and DLD1 colon cancer cells in vitro reduced the tumor cells' ability to self-renew and survive. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that Dclk1 is essential in advancing intestinal tumorigenesis. Knocking down Dclk1 decreases tumor stemness and progression and is thus predicted to regulate pro-survival signaling and tumor cell pluripotency. This study provides a strong rationale to target Dclk1 as a treatment strategy for colorectal cancer.
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Nguyen CB, Houchen CW, Ali N. APSA Awardee Submission: Tumor/cancer stem cell marker doublecortin-like kinase 1 in liver diseases. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 242:242-249. [PMID: 27694285 DOI: 10.1177/1535370216672746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver diseases are the fourth leading cause of mortality among adults in the United States. Patients with chronic liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis have significantly higher risks of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With a dismal five-year survival rate of 11%, HCC is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Regardless of the underlying cause, late presentation and a lack of effective therapy are the major impediments for successful treatment of HCC. Therefore, there is a considerable interest in developing new strategies for the prevention and treatment of chronic liver diseases at the early stages. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small cell subpopulation in a tumor, exhibit unlimited self-renewal and differentiation capacity. These cells are believed to play pivotal roles in the initiation, growth, metastasis, and drug-resistance of tumors. In this review, we will briefly discuss pivotal roles of the CSC marker doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) in hepatic tumorigenesis. Recent evidence suggests that anti-DCLK1 strategies hold promising clinical potential for the treatment of cancers of the liver, pancreas, and colon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles B Nguyen
- 1 College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Courtney W Houchen
- 2 Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,3 Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,4 Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Naushad Ali
- 2 Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,3 Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.,4 Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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The Progress and Prospects of Putative Biomarkers for Liver Cancer Stem Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:7614971. [PMID: 27610139 PMCID: PMC5005617 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7614971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is organized by liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), which are a subset of cells with “stem-like” characteristics. Identification of the LCSCs is a fundamental and important problem in HCC research. LCSCs have been investigated by various stem cell biomarkers. There is still lack of consensus regarding the existence of a “global” marker for LCSCs in HCC. In this review article, we summarize the progress and prospects of putative biomarkers for LCSCs in the past decades, which is essential to develop future therapies targeting CSCs and to predict prognosis and curative effect of these therapies.
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Gao T, Wang M, Xu L, Wen T, Liu J, An G. DCLK1 is up-regulated and associated with metastasis and prognosis in colorectal cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2016; 142:2131-40. [PMID: 27520310 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-016-2218-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Metastasis is a primary cause of colorectal cancer (CRC)-related death, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be majorly responsible for initiating metastatic behaviors. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) was recently discovered to be a marker for gastrointestinal CSCs. Here, we aimed to explore whether DCLK1 is associated with CRC metastasis through clinical and in vitro investigations. METHODS The expression levels of DCLK1 mRNA and protein in human CRC tissues were analyzed through quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining, respectively. Human CRC cell line SW480 was selected to explore the effect of DCLK1 overexpression on cell migration and invasion. Besides, the associations between DCLK1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were determined. RESULTS Compared to normal colorectal tissues, DCLK1 expression was significantly up-regulated in human CRC tissues and correlated well with high lymphatic metastasis and poor prognosis in patients. DCLK1 expression was inversely associated with overall survival in CRC patients. Overexpression of DCLK1 in SW480 cells markedly promoted cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, we validated that DCLK1 could facilitate EMT in cancer cells by up-regulation of the mesenchymal markers Vimentin and ZEB1 and down-regulation of the epithelial marker E-cadherin in SW480 cells. CONCLUSIONS DCLK1 up-regulation may play a contributory role in CRC metastasis and poor prognosis via activation of EMT. DCLK1 may serve as an independent predictor for CRC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbo Gao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 8 Gong Ti Nan Lu, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 8 Gong Ti Nan Lu, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Lingling Xu
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 8 Gong Ti Nan Lu, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Tao Wen
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 8 Gong Ti Nan Lu, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 8 Gong Ti Nan Lu, Beijing, 100020, China.
| | - Guangyu An
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 8 Gong Ti Nan Lu, Beijing, 100020, China.
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Kölbl AC, Jeschke U, Andergassen U. The Significance of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition for Circulating Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E1308. [PMID: 27529216 PMCID: PMC5000705 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17081308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process involved in embryonic development, but it also plays a role in remote metastasis formation in tumor diseases. During this process cells lose their epithelial features and adopt characteristics of mesenchymal cells. Thereby single tumor cells, which dissolve from the primary tumor, are enabled to invade the blood vessels and travel throughout the body as so called "circulating tumor cells" (CTCs). After leaving the blood stream the reverse process of EMT, the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) helps the cells to seed in different tissues, thereby generating the bud of metastasis formation. As metastasis is the main reason for tumor-associated death, CTCs and the EMT process are in the focus of research in recent years. This review summarizes what was already found out about the molecular mechanisms driving EMT, the consequences of EMT for tumor cell detection, and suitable markers for the detection of CTCs which underwent EMT. The research work done in this field could open new roads towards combating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C Kölbl
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany.
| | - Udo Jeschke
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Andergassen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany.
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Westphalen CB, Quante M, Wang TC. Functional implication of Dclk1 and Dclk1-expressing cells in cancer. Small GTPases 2016; 8:164-171. [PMID: 27458755 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2016.1208792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Doublecortin like kinase protein 1 (Dclk1) is a microtubule-associated protein with C-terminal serine/threonine kinase domain. Originally designated Doublecortin and CaM kinase-like 1 protein (Dcamkl1) or KIAA0369, Dclk1 was first described as a marker for radial glia cells in the context of microtubule polymerization and neuronal migration, possibly contributing to early neurogenesis. Additionally, Dclk1 was proposed as a marker of quiescent gastrointestinal and pancreatic stem cells, but in recent years has been recognized as a marker for tuft cells in the gastrointestinal tract. While Dclk1+ tuft cells are now considered as niche or sensory cells in the normal gut, growing evidence supports a role for Dclk1 function in a variety of malignancies, modulating the activity of multiple key pathways, including Kras signaling. Here, we review the recent advances in understanding of the importance of Dclk1 function in tumorigenesis and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Benedikt Westphalen
- a Department of Internal Medicine III , Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Munich , Germany
| | - Michael Quante
- b Department of Internal Medicine II , Klinikum rechts der Isar II, Technische Universität München , Munich , Germany
| | - Timothy C Wang
- c Divison of Digestive and Liver Disease , Columbia University Medical Center , New York , NY , USA.,d Herberg Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center , Columbia University Medical Center , New York , NY , USA
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Nguyen CB, Kotturi H, Waris G, Mohammed A, Chandrakesan P, May R, Sureban S, Weygant N, Qu D, Rao CV, Dhanasekaran DN, Bronze MS, Houchen CW, Ali N. (Z)-3,5,4'-Trimethoxystilbene Limits Hepatitis C and Cancer Pathophysiology by Blocking Microtubule Dynamics and Cell-Cycle Progression. Cancer Res 2016; 76:4887-96. [PMID: 27287718 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-2722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes induction of several tumors/cancer stem cell (CSC) markers and is known to be a major risk factor for development of HCC. Therefore, drugs that simultaneously target viral replication and CSC properties are needed for a risk-free treatment of advanced stage liver diseases, including HCC. Here, we demonstrated that (Z)-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (Z-TMS) exhibits potent antitumor and anti-HCV activities without exhibiting cytotoxicity to human hepatocytes in vitro or in mice livers. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) extensively induced expression of DCLK1 (a CSC marker) in the livers of C57BL/6 mice following hepatic injury. Z-TMS exhibited hepatoprotective effects against DEN/CCl4-induced injury by reducing DCLK1 expression and improving histologic outcomes. The drug caused bundling of DCLK1 with microtubules and blocked cell-cycle progression at G2-M phase in hepatoma cells via downregulation of CDK1, induction of p21(cip1/waf1) expression, and inhibition of Akt (Ser(473)) phosphorylation. Z-TMS also inhibited proliferation of erlotinib-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells (H1975) bearing the T790M EGFR mutation, most likely by promoting autophagy and nuclear fragmentation. In conclusion, Z-TMS appears to be a unique therapeutic agent targeting HCV and concurrently eliminating cells with neoplastic potential during chronic liver diseases, including HCC. It may also be a valuable drug for targeting drug-resistant carcinomas and cancers of the lungs, pancreas, colon, and intestine, in which DCLK1 is involved in tumorigenesis. Cancer Res; 76(16); 4887-96. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles B Nguyen
- College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Hari Kotturi
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma
| | - Gulam Waris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | - Altaf Mohammed
- College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Hematology-Oncology Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Parthasarathy Chandrakesan
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Randal May
- Department of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Sripathi Sureban
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Nathaniel Weygant
- Department of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Dongfeng Qu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Chinthalapally V Rao
- College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Hematology-Oncology Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Danny N Dhanasekaran
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Michael S Bronze
- Department of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Courtney W Houchen
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
| | - Naushad Ali
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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Westphalen CB, Takemoto Y, Tanaka T, Macchini M, Jiang Z, Renz BW, Chen X, Ormanns S, Nagar K, Tailor Y, May R, Cho Y, Asfaha S, Worthley DL, Hayakawa Y, Urbanska AM, Quante M, Reichert M, Broyde J, Subramaniam PS, Remotti H, Su GH, Rustgi AK, Friedman RA, Honig B, Califano A, Houchen CW, Olive KP, Wang TC. Dclk1 Defines Quiescent Pancreatic Progenitors that Promote Injury-Induced Regeneration and Tumorigenesis. Cell Stem Cell 2016; 18:441-55. [PMID: 27058937 PMCID: PMC4826481 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The existence of adult pancreatic progenitor cells has been debated. While some favor the concept of facultative progenitors involved in homeostasis and repair, neither a location nor markers for such cells have been defined. Using genetic lineage tracing, we show that Doublecortin-like kinase-1 (Dclk1) labels a rare population of long-lived, quiescent pancreatic cells. In vitro, Dclk1+ cells proliferate readily and sustain pancreatic organoid growth. In vivo, Dclk1+ cells are necessary for pancreatic regeneration following injury and chronic inflammation. Accordingly, their loss has detrimental effects after cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Expression of mutant Kras in Dclk1+ cells does not affect their quiescence or longevity. However, experimental pancreatitis converts Kras mutant Dclk1+ cells into potent cancer-initiating cells. As a potential effector of Kras, Dclk1 contributes functionally to the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. Taken together, these observations indicate that Dclk1 marks quiescent pancreatic progenitors that are candidates for the origin of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Benedikt Westphalen
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hospital of the University of Munich D-81377, Munich, Germany; Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Takemoto
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Takayuki Tanaka
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Marina Macchini
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Bologna University, 40128 Bologna, Italy
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Bernhard W Renz
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Munich D-81377, Munich, Germany; Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Xiaowei Chen
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Steffen Ormanns
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Munich D-81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Karan Nagar
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yagnesh Tailor
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Randal May
- Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Youngjin Cho
- Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Samuel Asfaha
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel L Worthley
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yoku Hayakawa
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Aleksandra M Urbanska
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Michael Quante
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar II, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reichert
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar II, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joshua Broyde
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Prem S Subramaniam
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Helen Remotti
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Gloria H Su
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Otolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Anil K Rustgi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Richard A Friedman
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Barry Honig
- Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Otolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (C2B2), Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Courtney W Houchen
- Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Kenneth P Olive
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Timothy C Wang
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Wang W, Zhang H, Wang L, Zhang S, Tang M. miR-613 inhibits the growth and invasiveness of human hepatocellular carcinoma via targeting DCLK1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 473:987-992. [PMID: 27049311 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) play key regulatory roles in various biological processes. In this study, we aimed to determine the expression and biological roles of miR-613 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Compared with non-cancerous liver tissues, miR-613 was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-613 significantly suppressed the proliferation and invasion of Hep3B and SMMC-7721 HCC cells. Bioinformatic and luciferase reporter analysis identified doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) as a direct target of miR-613. Overexpression of miR-613 inhibited the expression of DCLK1 in HCC cells. There was a significant inverse correlation between miR-613 and DCLK1 protein expression in HCC samples. Small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of DCLK1 phenocopied the suppressive effects of miR-613 in HCC cells. Rescue experiments demonstrated that co-transfection of DCLK1 lacking the 3'-untranslated region partially prevented miR-613-induced suppression of HCC cell proliferation and invasion. In vivo studies confirmed that miR-613 overexpression retarded the growth of Hep3B xenograft tumors in nude mice, coupled with a reduction in the percentage of Ki67-positive tumor cells and DCLK1 protein expression. In conclusion, we provide first evidence for the suppressive activity of miR-613 in HCC, which is causally linked to targeting of DCLK1. Restoration of miR-613 may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.
| | - Hongfei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lichao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shaojun Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Miao Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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