Immunolocalization of DCAMKL-1, a putative intestinal stem cell marker, in normal colonic tissue

Doublecortin and CaM kinase-like-1 (DCAMKL-1) is a microtubule-associated protein kinase which has been recently proposed as a gastrointestinal stem cell marker. The aim of our study was to characterize DCAMKL-1 expression in normal human colon by immunohistochemistry. DCAMKL-1 immunostaining was pe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pathology, research and practice research and practice, 2012-08, Vol.208 (8), p.475-479
Main Authors: Gagliardi, Giuseppe, Moroz, Krzysztof, Bellows, Charles F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biomarkers - metabolism
Biopsy
Cell Count
Chromogranin-A
Colon - cytology
Colon - metabolism
DCAMKL-1
Enteroendocrine cells
Female
Gastrointestinal stem cell
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry - methods
Intestinal Mucosa - cytology
Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism
Lgr5
Male
Middle Aged
Paraffin Embedding
Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases - metabolism
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism
Stem Cells - metabolism
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Summary:Doublecortin and CaM kinase-like-1 (DCAMKL-1) is a microtubule-associated protein kinase which has been recently proposed as a gastrointestinal stem cell marker. The aim of our study was to characterize DCAMKL-1 expression in normal human colon by immunohistochemistry. DCAMKL-1 immunostaining was performed on histologically normal colorectal biopsies from 14 patients. Immunoreactivity was found in over 60% of colonic crypts and was represented by strong cytoplasmic staining, anti-luminal in distribution, and was reminiscent of cytoplasmic orientation of neuroendocrine cells. The highest number (48.5%) of DCAMKL-1 positive cells was found in the first 4 cells from the crypt base. Seventy percent of DCAMKL-1 positive cells were located in the lower third of the crypt, 26% in the middle third and 4% in the upper third. Therefore, in normal colonic mucosa, expression of DCAMKL-1 is not confined to the stem cell compartment. When we compared DCAMKL-1 immunostaining with that of the leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5), an intestinal stem cell marker, and chromogranin-A (CgA), an enteroendocrine cell marker, we found that DCAMKL-1 positive cells co-stained with Lgr5 only at the crypt base, but co-stained with CgA throughout the crypt. Our findings suggest that DCAMKL-1 marks a subset of colorectal stem cells, as well as a subset of enteroendocrine cells.
ISSN:0344-0338
1618-0631
DOI:10.1016/j.prp.2012.05.015