Investigation of doublecortin and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-like-1-expressing cells in the mouse stomach.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: For lack of a definite stem cell marker, there is limited knowledge of the precise location and fate of stem cells after injury. Doublecortin and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-like-1 (DCAMKL-1) is a putative intestinal and colon stem cell marker. Our aim was to identify DCAMKL-1-expressing cells in the gastric epithelium and to analyze the fate of DCAMKL-1-expressing cells during gastric mucosal injury and repair. METHODS: Acidified ethanol was administered to wild-type mice. DCAMKL-1 expression were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. RESULTS: There were some DCAMKL-1-expressing cells in normal mouse stomachs. All the cells were located in the gastric isthmus region. All DCAMKL-1-expressing cells were double stained with Dolichos biflorus lectin-expressing parietal cells and Musashi-1-expressing cells. The DCAMKL-1 antigen expression decreased 12 h after injury and gradually increased to normal 4 d after injury. CONCLUSION: Using DCAMKL-1 as a marker for stomach stem cells, we could describe the expression pattern of stomach stem cells during mucosal injury.