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Doublecortin‐like kinase 1‐positive enterocyte – a new cell type in human intestine
Author(s) -
Leppänen Joni,
Helminen Olli,
Huhta Heikki,
Kauppila Joonas H.,
Miinalainen Ilkka,
Ronkainen VeliPekka,
Saarnio Juha,
Lehenkari Petri P.,
Karttunen Tuomo J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
apmis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0903-4641
DOI - 10.1111/apm.12599
Subject(s) - chromogranin a , biology , gastric chief cell , synaptophysin , microvillus , pathology , small intestine , intestinal mucosa , enterocyte , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , endocrinology , immunohistochemistry , stomach , immunology , gastric mucosa , biochemistry , membrane
Doublecortin‐like kinase 1 ( DCLK 1) is a microtubule‐associated kinase. In murine intestine, DCLK 1 marks tuft cells with characteristic microvilli, features of neuroendocrine cells and also quiescent stem cell‐like properties. The occurrence and pathological role of DCLK 1‐positive cells in human intestinal mucosa is unknown. We analysed DCLK 1 expression in healthy duodenal, jejunal and colorectal mucosa samples (n = 35), and in duodenal specimens from patients with coeliac disease (n = 20). The samples were immunohistochemically double‐stained with DCLK 1, and synaptophysin, chromogranin A and Ki‐67. Ultrastructure of DCLK 1‐expressing duodenal cells was assessed using correlative light and electron microscopy. DCLK 1 expression was seen in about 1% of epithelial cells diffusely scattered through the intestinal epithelium. Electron microscopy showed that the duodenal DCLK 1‐positive cells had short apical microvilli similar to neighbouring enterocytes and cytoplasmic granules on the basal side. DCLK 1‐positive cells were stained with synaptophysin. The number of DCLK 1‐positive cells was decreased in villus atrophy in coeliac disease. Our findings indicate that in human intestinal epithelium, DLCK 1‐positive cells form a subpopulation of non‐proliferating neuroendocrine cells with apical brush border similar to that in enterocytes, and their number is decreased in untreated coeliac disease.