Increased liver carcinogenesis, and enrichment of stem cell properties in livers of Dickkopf 2 (Dkk2) deleted mice

Dkk2, a secreted antagonist of the Wnt/βcatenin signaling pathway was demonstrated to be silenced in diverse cancers. However, an in depth analysis of its biological function in (liver) cancer was not yet performed. This is particularly important since recent data investigating Dkk family member function have also suggested Wnt independent functions in carcinogenesis. We therefore analyzed the effects a Dkk2 Knock out on liver morphology and liver cancer development after DEN/Phenobarbital induction. In Dkk2 –/– Knock out mice, Dkk2 deleted animals showed moderate to focally stronger variation of hepatocyte size…