Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Monitoring Hippo Signaling Pathway Activity Using a Luciferase-based Large Tumor Suppressor LATS Biosensor
Published on: September 13, 2018
CLK1 Promotes Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Trafficking and Reprograms the Tumor Microenvironment by Activating
Peisi Li1,2,3,4,5, Yumo Xie1,2,3,4,5,6, Dawang Zhou7,8,9
1Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou, China.
Targeting CLK1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) reduces immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and enhances T-cell activity. Combining CLK1 inhibition with anti-PD1 therapy boosts antitumor immunity, improving immunotherapy efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous malignancy where the tumor microenvironment (TME) influences progression and therapy response.
- Understanding TME regulation is critical for improving CRC treatment, yet tumor-intrinsic factors remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate tumor-intrinsic factors driving TME formation in CRC.
- Evaluate genotype-based combination strategies to enhance CRC immunotherapy efficacy.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing, single-cell analysis, immunohistochemistry.
- In vitro co-culture, subcutaneous CRC tumor models, flow cytometry.
- CLK1 knockdown and anti-PD1 therapy in murine models.
Main Results:
- Identified pro-oncogenic proteins linked to low immune activation.
- CLK1 activation promotes CRC progression via the Hippo/YAP/CXCL1 axis, increasing myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and impairing CD8+ T-cell responses.
- CLK1 knockdown reduced MDSCs and restored CD8+ T-cell activity.
- Combined CLK1 knockdown and anti-PD1 therapy enhanced CD8+ T-cell infiltration and antitumor responses.
Conclusions:
- The CLK1-Hippo/YAP-CXCL1 axis regulates immune evasion and TME remodeling in CRC.
- Targeting this axis offers a potential strategy to improve immune checkpoint blockade efficacy in CRC.
More Related Videos
10:33Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts
Published on: April 29, 2014
06:49Orthotopic Implantation of Patient-Derived Cancer Cells in Mice Recapitulates Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Published on: February 10, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
The Tumor Microenvironment
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
What is Cell Signaling?
Cell-surface Signaling