scholarly journals A new analytical pipeline for the study of the onset of mammary gland oncogenesis based on mammary organoid transplantation and organ clearing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie Lagoutte ◽  
Clémentine Villeneuve ◽  
Vincent Fraisier ◽  
Denis Krndija ◽  
Marie-Ange Deugnier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Primary Tumor ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Mammary Epithelium ◽  
Size Reduction ◽  
Normal Mammary Gland ◽  
Tissue Clearing ◽  
Cell Dissemination

AbstractMetastasis formation is a multi-step process starting from the dissemination of transformed carcinomatous cells from the primary tumor and could occur at a very early stage of oncogenesis, before primary tumor detection. The adult mammary gland provides a unique model to investigate epithelial cell dissemination processes. Tissue clearing techniques allow imaging samples of large volume. uDSICO clearing, one of the latest tissue clearing technique developed, provides optical imaging of whole organ due to organ clearing and tissue size reduction. We wanted to take advantage of this technique to study rare events occurring in vivo.Here, we have established a new analytical pipeline exploiting the regenerative properties of the mammary epithelium following orthotropic transplantation of organoids together with the uDISCO organ size reduction and clearing method to study early cell dissemination in the mammary gland. As proof of concept, we analyzed the localization of epithelial cells overexpressing the oncogenic protein atypical protein kinase C iota (aPKCi+) in the normal mammary gland and we were able to visualize epithelial aPKCi+ cells, surrounded by normal epithelial cells, escaping from the normal mammary epithelium and disseminating into the surrounding stroma.

scholarly journals Retroviral expression of Wnt-1 and Wnt-7b produces different effects in mouse mammary epithelium

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (12) ◽  
pp. 2129-2138 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Naylor ◽  
M.J. Smalley ◽  
D. Robertson ◽  
B.A. Gusterson ◽  
P.A. Edwards ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Mammary Gland Development ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Mammary Epithelium ◽  
Mouse Mammary Gland ◽  
Normal Mammary Gland ◽  
Gland Development

Several Wnt genes are expressed in the postnatal mouse mammary gland and are thought to be involved in mammary gland development. Ectopic expression of Wnt-1, which is not normally expressed in the mammary gland, drives the formation of a pre-neoplastic hyperplasia. Cell culture-based assays have shown that Wnt-1 and some mammary-expressed Wnts transform C57MG cells. This has led to the suggestion that Wnt-1 functions as an oncogene through the inappropriate activation of developmental events that are normally controlled by the ‘transforming’ class of Wnts. In this study, Wnt-7b was expressed in vivo using recombinant retroviruses. Wnt-7b did not alter normal mammary gland development despite having similar effects to Wnt-1 in cell culture. We conclude that the in vitro classification of Wnts as ‘transforming’ does not correlate with the transformation in vivo. To facilitate the analysis of Wnt-expression, a lacZ-containing, bicistronic recombinant retrovirus was developed. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy identified retrovirally transduced myoepithelial and luminal epithelial cells in normal and hyperplastic tissues. The distribution of transduced cells in mammary outgrowths was consistent with current models of mammary stem cell identity.

scholarly journals Normal mammary gland development after MMTV-Cre mediated conditional PAK4 gene depletion

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Rabieifar ◽  
Ting Zhuang ◽  
Tânia D. F. Costa ◽  
Miao Zhao ◽  
Staffan Strömblad
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Mammary Gland Development ◽  
Mammary Epithelium ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Normal Mammary Gland ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Gland Development

Abstract p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine kinases functioning as downstream effectors of the small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42. Members of the PAK family are overexpressed in human breast cancer, but their role in mammary gland development is not fully explored. Here we examined the functional role of PAK4 in mammary gland development by creating a mouse model of MMTV-Cre driven conditional PAK4 gene depletion in the mammary gland. The PAK4 conditional knock-out mice were born healthy, with no observed developmental deficits. Mammary gland whole-mounts revealed no defects in ductal formation or elongation of the mammary tree through the fat pad. PAK4 gene depletion also did not alter proliferation and invasion of the mammary epithelium in young virgin mice. Moreover, adult mice gave birth to healthy pups with normal body weight upon weaning. This implies that MMTV-Cre induced gene depletion of PAK4 in mice does not impair normal mammary gland development and thereby provides an in vivo model that can be explored for examination of the potential function of PAK4 in breast cancer.

scholarly journals Normal mammary gland development after MMTV-Cre mediated conditional PAK4 gene depletion

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Rabieifar ◽  
Ting Zhuang ◽  
Tânia D. F. Costa ◽  
Miao Zhao ◽  
Staffan Strömblad
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Mammary Gland Development ◽  
Mammary Epithelium ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Normal Mammary Gland ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Gland Development

Abstractp21-activated protein kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine kinases functioning as downstream effectors of the small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42. Members of the PAK family are overexpressed in human breast cancer, but their role in mammary gland development is not fully explored. Here we examined the functional role of PAK4 in mammary gland development by creating a mouse model of MMTV-Cre driven conditional PAK4 gene depletion in the mammary gland. The PAK4 conditional knock-out mice were born healthy with no observed developmental deficits. Mammary gland whole-mounts revealed no defects in ductal formation or elongation of the mammary tree through the fat pad. PAK4 gene depletion also did not alter proliferation and invasion of the mammary epithelium in young virgin mice. Moreover, adult mice gave birth to healthy pups with normal body weight upon weaning. This implies that MMTV-Cre induced gene depletion of PAK4 in mice does not impair normal mammary gland development and thereby provides an in vivo model for examination of the potential function of PAK4 in breast cancer.

scholarly journals Transduction of the Mammary Epithelium with Adenovirus Vectors In Vivo

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 5801-5809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya D. Russell ◽  
Andreas Fischer ◽  
Neal E. Beeman ◽  
Emily F. Freed ◽  
Margaret C. Neville ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Mammary Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mammary Epithelium ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Intraductal Injection ◽  
Adenovirus Vectors

ABSTRACT Because the mammary parenchyma is accessible from the exterior of an animal through the mammary duct, adenovirus transduction holds promise for the short-term delivery of genes to the mammary epithelium for both research and therapeutic purposes. To optimize the procedure and evaluate its efficacy, an adenovirus vector (human adenovirus type 5) encoding a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter and deleted of E1 and E3 was injected intraductally into the mouse mammary gland. We evaluated induction of inflammation (by intraductal injection of [14C]sucrose and histological examination), efficiency of transduction, and maintenance of normal function in transduced cells. We found that transduction of the total epithelium in the proximal portion of the third mammary gland varied from 7% to 25% at a dose of 2 × 106 PFU of adenovirus injected into day 17 pregnant mice. Transduction was maintained for at least 7 days with minimal inflammatory response; however, significant mastitis was observed 12 days after transduction. Adenovirus transduction could also be used in the virgin animal with little mastitis 3 days after transduction. Transduced mammary epithelial cells maintained normal morphology and function. Our results demonstrate that intraductal injection of adenovirus vectors provides a versatile and noninvasive method of investigating genes of interest in mouse mammary epithelial cells.

scholarly journals In vivo MRI of early stage mammary cancers and the normal mouse mammary gland

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 880-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanaz A. Jansen ◽  
Suzanne D. Conzen ◽  
Xiaobing Fan ◽  
Erica Markiewicz ◽  
Thomas Krausz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Normal Mouse ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Mouse Mammary Gland

scholarly journals Progesterone Receptor Isoforms A and B: Temporal and Spatial Differences in Expression during Murine Mammary Gland Development

Endocrinology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 146 (8) ◽  
pp. 3577-3588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Aupperlee ◽  
Kyle T. Smith ◽  
Anastasia Kariagina ◽  
Sandra Z. Haslam
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Progesterone Receptor ◽  
Cyclin D1 ◽  
Mammary Gland Development ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Normal Mammary Gland ◽  
Temporal Separation ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Gland Development

Abstract Progesterone is a potent mitogen in the mammary gland. Based on studies using cells and animals engineered to express progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms A or B, PRA and PRB are believed to have different functions. Using an immunohistochemical approach with antibodies specific for PRA only or PRB only, we show that PRA and PRB expression in mammary epithelial cells is temporally and spatially separated during normal mammary gland development in the BALB/c mouse. In the virgin mammary gland when ductal development is active, the only PR protein isoform expressed was PRA. PRA levels were significantly lower during pregnancy, suggesting a minor role at this stage of development. PRB was abundantly expressed only during pregnancy, during alveologenesis. PRA and PRB colocalization occurred in only a small percentage of cells. During pregnancy there was extensive colocalization of PRB with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and cyclin D1; 95% of BrdU-positive cells and 83% of cyclin D1-positive cells expressed PRB. No colocalization of PRA with either BrdU or cyclin D1 was observed at pregnancy. In the virgin gland, PRA colocalization with BrdU or cyclin D1 was low; only 27% of BrdU-positive cells and 4% of cyclin D1-positive cells expressed PRA. The implication of these findings is that different actions of progesterone are mediated in PRB positive vs. PRA-positive cells in vivo. The spatial and temporal separation of PR isoform expression in mouse mammary gland provides a unique opportunity to determine the specific functions of PRA vs. PRB in vivo.

scholarly journals Fine-tuning of Epithelial EGFR signals Supports Coordinated Mammary Gland Development

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandr Samocha ◽  
Hanna M. Doh ◽  
Vaishnavi Sitarama ◽  
Quy H. Nguyen ◽  
Oghenekevwe Gbenedio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Mammary Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mammary Epithelium ◽  
Gene Signature ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Basal Cells ◽  
Stem And Progenitor Cells

SummaryDuring puberty, robust morphogenesis occurs in the mammary gland; stem- and progenitor-cells develop into mature basal- and luminal-cells to form the ductal tree. The receptor signals that govern this process in mammary epithelial cells (MECs) are incompletely understood. The EGFR has been implicated and here we focused on EGFR’s downstream pathway component Rasgrp1. We find that Rasgrp1 dampens EGF-triggered signals in MECs. Biochemically and in vitro, Rasgrp1 perturbation results in increased EGFR-Ras-PI3K-AKT and mTORC1-S6 kinase signals, increased EGF-induced proliferation, and aberrant branching-capacity in 3D cultures. However, in vivo, Rasgrp1 perturbation results in delayed ductal tree maturation with shortened branches and reduced cellularity. Rasgrp1-deficient MEC organoids revealed lower frequencies of basal cells, the compartment that incorporates stem cells. Molecularly, EGF effectively counteracts Wnt signal-driven stem cell gene signature in organoids. Collectively, these studies demonstrate the need for fine-tuning of EGFR signals to properly instruct mammary epithelium during puberty.

scholarly journals Loss of vitamin D receptor signaling from the mammary epithelium or adipose tissue alters pubertal glandular development

2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (8) ◽  
pp. E674-E685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abby L. Johnson ◽  
Glendon M. Zinser ◽  
Susan E. Waltz
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mammary Epithelium ◽  
Mammary Development ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Pubertal Mammary Development

Vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) signaling within the mammary gland regulates various postnatal stages of glandular development, including puberty, pregnancy, involution, and tumorigenesis. Previous studies have shown that vitamin D3 treatment induces cell-autonomous growth inhibition and differentiation of mammary epithelial cells in culture. Furthermore, mammary adipose tissue serves as a depot for vitamin D3 storage, and both epithelial cells and adipocytes are capable of bioactivating vitamin D3. Despite the pervasiveness of VDR in mammary tissue, individual contributions of epithelial cells and adipocytes, as well as the VDR-regulated cross-talk between these two cell types during pubertal mammary development, have yet to be investigated. To assess the cell-type specific effect of VDR signaling during pubertal mammary development, novel mouse models with mammary epithelial- or adipocyte-specific loss of VDR were generated. Interestingly, loss of VDR in either cellular compartment accelerated ductal morphogenesis with increased epithelial cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis within terminal end buds. Conversely, VDR signaling specifically in the mammary epithelium modulated hormone-induced alveolar growth, as ablation of VDR in this cell type resulted in precocious alveolar development. In examining cellular cross-talk ex vivo, we show that ligand-dependent VDR signaling in adipocytes significantly inhibits mammary epithelial cell growth in part through the vitamin D3-dependent production of the cytokine IL-6. Collectively, these studies delineate independent roles for vitamin D3-dependent VDR signaling in mammary adipocytes and epithelial cells in controlling pubertal mammary gland development.

165. LOCATION OF ACTIVE TGFB1 IN THE MAMMARY GLAND DURING DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
X. Sun ◽  
S. A. Robertson ◽  
W. V. Ingman
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Developmental Stage ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Normal Mammary Gland

Development of the mammary gland involves complex interactions between epithelial and stromal cells under the influence of hormones and cytokines. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) is a multi-functional cytokine that we have reported to be essential for normal mammary gland development. TGFB1 is produced and secreted as part of a latent complex, and requires activation at the site of action to have biological effects. In situ hybridisation studies have shown mRNA encoding Tgfb1 is mainly expressed by mammary epithelium; however, the expression pattern of active TGFB1 in the mammary gland during different developmental stages is still unclear. Mammary gland tissue was collected from mice at puberty (5 weeks old), adult diestrus and late pregnancy (day 18 pc). Frozen sections were stained with antibody specifically reactive with active TGFB1 protein (not latent TGFB1 or other TGFB isoforms) for immunofluorescent analysis. Qualitative assessment of the staining revealed different patterns of active TGFB1 localisation depending on developmental stage. The strongest expression of active TGFB1 was observed in the mammary gland at diestrus compared to puberty and pregnancy. At diestrus, active TGFB1 was located around the surface of mammary epithelial cells. The staining was heterogeneous, with distinct zones of active TGFB1 accumulated around some but not all epithelial cells. During puberty, active TGFB1 was observed only within the lumen of the ducts. During late pregnancy, TGFB1 was homogenously distributed within the alveolar epithelium. The different patterns of active TGFB1 observed during puberty, diestrus and pregnancy suggest that TGFB1 has different roles in the mammary gland dependent on developmental stage.

scholarly journals Estrogen receptor signaling is reprogrammed during breast tumorigenesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (23) ◽  
pp. 11437-11443 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Chi ◽  
Hari Singhal ◽  
Lewyn Li ◽  
Tengfei Xiao ◽  
Weihan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Breast Tumors ◽  
Normal Mammary Gland ◽  
Breast Tumorigenesis ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Estrogen Stimulation

Limited knowledge of the changes in estrogen receptor (ER) signaling during the transformation of the normal mammary gland to breast cancer hinders the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies. Differences in estrogen signaling between normal human primary breast epithelial cells and primary breast tumors obtained immediately following surgical excision were explored. Transcriptional profiling of normal ER+ mature luminal mammary epithelial cells and ER+ breast tumors revealed significant difference in the response to estrogen stimulation. Consistent with these differences in gene expression, the normal and tumor ER cistromes were distinct and sufficient to segregate normal breast tissues from breast tumors. The selective enrichment of the DNA binding motif GRHL2 in the breast cancer-specific ER cistrome suggests that it may play a role in the differential function of ER in breast cancer. Depletion of GRHL2 resulted in altered ER binding and differential transcriptional responses to estrogen stimulation. Furthermore, GRHL2 was demonstrated to be essential for estrogen-stimulated proliferation of ER+ breast cancer cells. DLC1 was also identified as an estrogen-induced tumor suppressor in the normal mammary gland with decreased expression in breast cancer. In clinical cohorts, loss of DLC1 and gain of GRHL2 expression are associated with ER+ breast cancer and are independently predictive for worse survival. This study suggests that normal ER signaling is lost and tumor-specific ER signaling is gained during breast tumorigenesis. Unraveling these changes in ER signaling during breast cancer progression should aid the development of more effective prevention strategies and targeted therapeutics.

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