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Prpar Mihevc S, Ogorevc J, Dovc P. Lineage-specific markers of goat mammary cells in primary culture. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2014; 50:926-36. [PMID: 25213688 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-014-9796-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was morphological and functional characterization of cells from the primary cell culture developed from lactating goat mammary gland, focusing on distribution of lineage-specific markers. Primary cells were grown on a thin layer of basement membrane matrix, a growth surface that resembles in vivo conditions. The cells in adherent conditions rapidly proliferated and showed cobblestone morphology, typical for epithelial cells. Under non-adherent conditions, goat mammary cells formed spherical, acini-like structures that resembled alveoli of lactating mammary gland. Immunofluorescence and RNA sequencing were employed to determine expression of lineage-specific markers. Presence of markers cytokeratin 14 and 18, integrin alpha 6, vimentin, estrogen receptor, smooth muscle actin, and cytokeratin 5 was detected using immunofluorescence. The greatest expression was observed for markers typical for myoepithelial cells, luminal cells, and mesenchymal cells. Based on our characterization, we can conclude that established primary culture was composed of mainly epithelial and stromal cells. These findings demonstrate that primary mammary cells express some of the most important functional and biochemical markers needed for their characterization. First, they grow in the characteristic cobblestone morphology of epithelial cells. Second, they express classical cytoplasmic network of cytokeratin fibers. Third, they express markers typical of mammary parenchyma and stroma. The established cell culture represents a good in vitro model for studies of mammary gland development, differentiation, and lactation. We suggest that herein revealed lineage markers are suitable for characterization of mammary cells of goat and possibly other mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Prpar Mihevc
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3, 1230, Domzale, Slovenia
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Leccia F, Del Vecchio L, Mariotti E, Di Noto R, Morel AP, Puisieux A, Salvatore F, Ansieau S. ABCG2, a novel antigen to sort luminal progenitors of BRCA1- breast cancer cells. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:213. [PMID: 25216750 PMCID: PMC4176869 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tumor-initiating cells (TICs), aka “cancer stem cells”, are believed to fuel tumors and to sustain therapy resistance and systemic metastasis. Breast cancer is the first human carcinoma in which a subpopulation of cells displaying a specific CD44+/CD24-/low/ESA+ antigenic phenotype was found to have TIC properties. However, CD44+/CD24-/low/ESA+ is not a universal marker phenotype of TICs in all breast cancer subtypes. The aim of this study was to identify novel antigens with which to isolate the TIC population of the basal-A/basal-like breast cancer cell lines. Methods We used polychromatic flow-cytometry to characterize the cell surface of several breast cancer cell lines that may represent different tumor molecular subtypes. We next used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate the cell subpopulations of interest from the cell lines. Finally, we explored the stem-like and tumorigenic properties of the sorted cell subpopulations using complementary in vitro and in vivo approaches: mammosphere formation assays, soft-agar colony assays, and tumorigenic assays in NOD/SCID mice. Results The CD44+/CD24+ subpopulation of the BRCA1-mutated basal-A/basal-like cell line HCC1937 is enriched in several stemness markers, including the ABCG2 transporter (i.e., the CD338 antigen). Consistently, CD338-expressing cells were also enriched in CD24 expression, suggesting that coexpression of these two antigenic markers may segregate TICs in this cell line. In support of ABCG2 expression in TICs, culturing of HCC1937 cells in ultra-low adherent conditions to enrich them in precursor/stem-cells resulted in an increase in CD338-expressing cells. Furthermore, CD338-expressing cells, unlike their CD338-negative counterparts, displayed stemness and transformation potential, as assessed in mammosphere and colony formation assays. Lastly, CD338-expressing cells cultured in ultra-low adherent conditions maintained the expression of CD326/EpCAM and CD49f/α6-integrin, which is a combination of antigens previously assigned to luminal progenitors. Conclusion Collectively, our data suggest that CD338 expression is specific to the tumor-initiating luminal progenitor subpopulation of BRCA1-mutated cells and is a novel antigen with which to sort this subpopulation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1476-4598-13-213) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Leccia
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy.
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Progenitor/stem cells in renal regeneration and mass lesions. Int Urol Nephrol 2014; 46:2227-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s11255-014-0821-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Manavathi B, Samanthapudi VSK, Gajulapalli VNR. Estrogen receptor coregulators and pioneer factors: the orchestrators of mammary gland cell fate and development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2014; 2:34. [PMID: 25364741 PMCID: PMC4207046 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2014.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The steroid hormone, 17β-estradiol (E2), plays critical role in various cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis, and is essential for reproduction and mammary gland development. E2 actions are mediated by two classical nuclear hormone receptors, estrogen receptor α and β (ERs). The activity of ERs depends on the coordinated activity of ligand binding, post-translational modifications (PTMs), and importantly the interaction with their partner proteins called “coregulators.” Because coregulators are proved to be crucial for ER transcriptional activity, and majority of breast cancers are ERα positive, an increased interest in the field has led to the identification of a large number of coregulators. In the last decade, gene knockout studies using mouse models provided impetus to our further understanding of the role of these coregulators in mammary gland development. Several coregulators appear to be critical for terminal end bud (TEB) formation, ductal branching and alveologenesis during mammary gland development. The emerging studies support that, coregulators along with the other ER partner proteins called “pioneer factors” together contribute significantly to E2 signaling and mammary cell fate. This review discusses emerging themes in coregulator and pioneer factor mediated action on ER functions, in particular their role in mammary gland cell fate and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bramanandam Manavathi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad Hyderabad, India
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55
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Abstract
The very limited ability of adult podocytes to proliferate in vivo is clinically significant because podocytes form a vascular barrier that is functionally critical to the nephron, podocyte hypoplasia is a characteristic of disease, and inadequate regeneration of podocytes is a major cause of persistent podocyte hypoplasia. Excessive podocyte loss or inadequate replacement leads to glomerulosclerosis in many progressive kidney diseases. Thus, restoration of podocyte cell density almost certainly is reliant on regeneration by podocyte progenitors. However, such putative progenitors have remained elusive until recently. In this review, we describe the developmental processes leading to podocyte and parietal epithelial cell (PEC) formation during glomerulogenesis. We compare evidence that in normal human kidneys PECs expressing progenitor markers CD133 and CD24 can differentiate into podocytes in vitro and in vivo, with evidence from animal models suggesting a more limited role of the PEC's capacity to serve as a podocyte progenitor in adults. We highlight tantalizing new evidence that specialized vascular wall cells of afferent arterioles, including those that produce renin in healthy kidney, provide a novel local progenitor source of new PECs and podocytes in response to podocyte hypoplasia in the adult, and draw comparisons with glomerulogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J Shankland
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
| | - Jeffrey W Pippin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
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Chao CH, Chang CC, Wu MJ, Ko HW, Wang D, Hung MC, Yang JY, Chang CJ. MicroRNA-205 signaling regulates mammary stem cell fate and tumorigenesis. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:3093-106. [PMID: 24911147 DOI: 10.1172/jci73351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of epigenetic controls is associated with tumorigenesis in response to microenvironmental stimuli; however, the regulatory pathways involved in epigenetic dysfunction are largely unclear. We have determined that a critical epigenetic regulator, microRNA-205 (miR-205), is repressed by the ligand jagged1, which is secreted from the tumor stroma to promote a cancer-associated stem cell phenotype. Knockdown of miR-205 in mammary epithelial cells promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), disrupted epithelial cell polarity, and enhanced symmetric division to expand the stem cell population. Furthermore, miR-205-deficient mice spontaneously developed mammary lesions, while activation of miR-205 markedly diminished breast cancer stemness. These data provide evidence that links tumor microenvironment and microRNA-dependent regulation to disruption of epithelial polarity and aberrant mammary stem cell division, which in turn leads to an expansion of stem cell population and tumorigenesis. This study elucidates an important role for miR-205 in the regulation of mammary stem cell fate, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for limiting breast cancer genesis.
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Broeckx SY, Maes S, Martinello T, Aerts D, Chiers K, Mariën T, Patruno M, Franco-Obregón A, Spaas JH. Equine Epidermis: A Source of Epithelial-Like Stem/Progenitor Cells with In Vitro and In Vivo Regenerative Capacities. Stem Cells Dev 2014; 23:1134-48. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2013.0203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Y. Broeckx
- Global Stem cell Technology, Meldert-Lummen, Belgium
- Pell Cell Medicals, Opglabbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Tiziana Martinello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | | | - Koen Chiers
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Tom Mariën
- Equitom Equine Hospital, Meldert-Lummen, Belgium
| | - Marco Patruno
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alfredo Franco-Obregón
- Department of Biomechanics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jan H. Spaas
- Global Stem cell Technology, Meldert-Lummen, Belgium
- Pell Cell Medicals, Opglabbeek, Belgium
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Tornillo G, Elia AR, Castellano I, Spadaro M, Bernabei P, Bisaro B, Camacho-Leal MDP, Pincini A, Provero P, Sapino A, Turco E, Defilippi P, Cabodi S. p130Cas alters the differentiation potential of mammary luminal progenitors by deregulating c-Kit activity. Stem Cells 2014; 31:1422-33. [PMID: 23592522 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Revised: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
It has recently been proposed that defective differentiation of mammary luminal progenitors predisposes to basal-like breast cancer. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved are still unclear. Here, we describe that the adaptor protein p130Cas is a crucial regulator of mouse mammary epithelial cell (MMEC) differentiation. Using a transgenic mouse model, we show that forced p130Cas overexpression in the luminal progenitor cell compartment results in the expansion of luminal cells, which aberrantly display basal cell features and reduced differentiation in response to lactogenic stimuli. Interestingly, MMECs overexpressing p130Cas exhibit hyperactivation of the tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit. In addition, we demonstrate that the constitutive c-Kit activation alone mimics p130Cas overexpression, whereas c-Kit downregulation is sufficient to re-establish proper differentiation of p130Cas overexpressing cells. Overall, our data indicate that high levels of p130Cas, via abnormal c-Kit activation, promote mammary luminal cell plasticity, thus providing the conditions for the development of basal-like breast cancer. Consistently, p130Cas is overexpressed in human triple-negative breast cancer, further suggesting that p130Cas upregulation may be a priming event for the onset of basal-like breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Tornillo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Italy
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Abstract
The stem/progenitor cells in the murine mammary gland are a highly dynamic population of cells that are responsible for ductal elongation in puberty, homeostasis maintenance in adult, and lobulo-alveolar genesis during pregnancy. In recent years understanding the epithelial cell hierarchy within the mammary gland is becoming particularly important as these different stem/progenitor cells were perceived to be the cells of origin for various subtypes of breast cancer. Although significant advances have been made in enrichment and isolation of stem/progenitor cells by combinations of antibodies against cell surface proteins together with flow cytometry, and in identification of stem/progenitor cells with multi-lineage differentiation and self-renewal using mammary fat pad reconstitution assay and in vivo genetic labeling technique, a clear understanding of how these different stem/progenitors are orchestrated in the mammary gland is still lacking. Here we discuss the different in vivo and in vitro methods currently available for stem/progenitor identification, their associated caveats, and a possible new hierarchy model to reconcile various putative stem/progenitor cell populations identified by different research groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoxiang Dong
- Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78299, USA ; Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, Wenzhou Medical University, University Town, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Lu-Zhe Sun
- Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78299, USA ; Cancer Therapy and Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78299, USA
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Comparison of stem/progenitor cell number and transcriptomic profile in the mammary tissue of dairy and beef breed heifers. J Appl Genet 2014; 55:383-95. [PMID: 24748329 PMCID: PMC4102771 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-014-0213-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Bovine mammary stem cells (MaSC) are a source of ductal and lobulo-alveolar tissue during the development of the mammary gland and its remodeling in repeating lactation cycles. We hypothesize that the number of MaSC, their molecular properties, and interactions with their niche may be essential in order to determine the mammogenic potential in heifers. To verify this hypothesis, we compared the number of MaSC and the transcriptomic profile in the mammary tissue of 20-month-old, non-pregnant dairy (Holstein-Friesian, HF) and beef (Limousin, LM) heifers. For the identification and quantification of putative stem/progenitor cells in mammary tissue sections, scanning cytometry was used with a combination of MaSC molecular markers: stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) and fibronectin type III domain containing 3B (FNDC3B) protein. Cytometric analysis revealed a significantly higher number of Sca-1posFNDC3Bpos cells in HF (2.94 ± 0.35 %) than in LM (1.72 ± 0.20 %) heifers. In HF heifers, a higher expression of intramammary hormones, growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and transcription regulators was observed. The model of mammary microenvironment favorable for MaSC was associated with the regulation of genes involved in MaSC maintenance, self-renewal, proliferation, migration, differentiation, mammary tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, regulation of adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism, and steroid and insulin signaling. In conclusion, the mammogenic potential in postpubertal dairy heifers is facilitated by a higher number of MaSC and up-regulation of mammary auto- and paracrine factors representing the MaSC niche.
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Kaenel P, Hahnewald S, Wotzkow C, Strange R, Andres AC. Overexpression of EphB4 in the mammary epithelium shifts the differentiation pathway of progenitor cells and promotes branching activity and vascularization. Dev Growth Differ 2014; 56:255-75. [PMID: 24635767 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 02/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Postnatally, the mammary gland undergoes continuous morphogenesis and thereby is especially prone to malignant transformation. Thus, the maintenance of the epithelium depends on a tight control of stem cell recruitment. We have previously shown that epithelial overexpression of the EphB4 receptor results in defective mammary epithelial development and conferred a metastasizing tumor phenotype on experimental mouse mammary tumors accompanied by a preponderance of progenitor cells. To analyze the effect of EphB4 overexpression on mammary epithelial cell fate, we have used Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) analyses to quantify epithelial sub-populations and repopulation assays of cleared fat pads to investigate their regenerative potential. These experiments revealed that deregulated EphB4 expression leads to an augmentation of bi-potent progenitor cells and to a shift of the differentiation pathway towards the luminal lineage. The analyses of the ductal outgrowths indicated that EphB4 overexpression leads to enforced branching activity, impedes ductal differentiation and stimulates angiogenesis. To elucidate the mechanisms forwarding EphB4 signals, we have compared the expression profile of defined cell populations between EphB4 transgene and wild type mammary glands concentrating on the wnt signaling pathway and on genes implicated in cell migration. With respect to wnt signaling, the progenitor cell population was the most affected, whereas the stem cell-enriched population showed the most pronounced deregulation of migration-associated genes. Thus, the luminal epithelial EphB4 signaling contributes, most likely via wnt signaling, to the regulation of migration and cell fate of early progenitors and is involved in the determination of branching points along the ductal tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kaenel
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Tiefenaustrasse 120c, CH-3004, Bern, Switzerland
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62
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Lack of correlation of stem cell markers in breast cancer stem cells. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:2063-71. [PMID: 24577057 PMCID: PMC3992489 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Various markers are used to identify the unique sub-population of breast cancer cells with stem cell properties. Whether these markers are expressed in all breast cancers, identify the same population of cells, or equate to therapeutic response is controversial. Methods: We investigated the expression of multiple cancer stem cell markers in human breast cancer samples and cell lines in vitro and in vivo, comparing across and within samples and relating expression with growth and therapeutic response to doxorubicin, docetaxol and radiotherapy. Results: CD24, CD44, ALDH and SOX2 expression, the ability to form mammospheres and side-population cells are variably present in human cancers and cell lines. Each marker identifies a unique rather than common population of cancer cells. In vivo, cells expressing these markers are not specifically localized to the presumptive stem cell niche at the tumour/stroma interface. Repeated therapy does not consistently enrich cells expressing these markers, although ER-negative cells accumulate. Conclusions: Commonly employed methods identify different cancer cell sub-populations with no consistent therapeutic implications, rather than a single population of cells. The relationships of breast cancer stem cells to clinical parameters will require identification of specific markers or panels for the individual cancer.
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63
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Wang D, Gao H, Bandyopadhyay A, Wu A, Yeh IT, Chen Y, Zou Y, Huang C, Walter CA, Dong Q, Sun LZ. Pubertal bisphenol A exposure alters murine mammary stem cell function leading to early neoplasia in regenerated glands. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2014; 7:445-55. [PMID: 24520039 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-13-0260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to cause aberrant mammary gland morphogenesis and mammary neoplastic transformation. Yet, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that mammary glands exposed to BPA during a susceptible window may lead to its susceptibility to tumorigenesis through a stem cell-mediated mechanism. We exposed 21-day-old Balb/c mice to BPA by gavage (25 μg/kg/d) during puberty for 3 weeks, and a subset of animals were further challenged with one oral dose (30 mg/kg) of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) at 2 months of age. Primary mammary cells were isolated at 6 weeks, and 2 and 4 months of age for murine mammary stem cell (MaSC) quantification and function analysis. Pubertal exposure to the low-dose BPA increased lateral branches and hyperplasia in adult mammary glands and caused an acute increase of MaSC in 6-week-old glands and a delayed increase of luminal progenitors in 4-month-old adult gland. Most importantly, pubertal BPA exposure altered the function of MaSC from different age groups, causing early neoplastic lesions in their regenerated glands similar to those induced by DMBA exposure, which indicates that MaSCs are susceptible to BPA-induced transformation. Deep sequencing analysis on MaSC-enriched mammospheres identified a set of aberrantly expressed genes associated with early neoplastic lesions in patients with human breast cancer. Thus, our study for the first time shows that pubertal BPA exposure altered MaSC gene expression and function such that they induced early neoplastic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danhan Wang
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229. ; and L-Z. Sun,
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Richter A, Nissen N, Mailänder P, Stang F, Siemers F, Kruse C, Danner S. Mammary gland-derived nestin-positive cell populations can be isolated from human male and female donors. Stem Cell Res Ther 2013; 4:78. [PMID: 23835213 PMCID: PMC3854770 DOI: 10.1186/scrt229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Nestin-expressing cells isolated from different human tissues reveal self-renewal capacity and a multilineage differentiation potential. In particular, adult stem/progenitor cell populations from exocrine glands such as the pancreas, salivary gland and sweat gland are characterized by prominent nestin expression. Interestingly, human mammary gland histological examinations also demonstrated the existence of nestin-positive cells in the ductal compartments. Within the scope of our previous work we wonder whether an isolation of nestin-positive cell populations from human mammary gland biopsies is possible and what characteristics they have in vitro. Cell populations from both sexes were propagated and subjected to a comparison with other gland-derived cell populations. Methods Human mammary tissue biopsies were mechanically and enzymatically treated, and the isolated acini structures were observed with time-lapse microscopy to track adherently outgrowing cells. The proliferation potential of the cell population was assessed by performing growth curves. On the gene and protein levels we investigated the expression of stem cell markers as well as markers indicating multilineage differentiation. Results We succeeded in establishing proliferating cell populations from breast tissue biopsies of both sexes. Our results display several similarities to the glandular stem cell populations from other exocrine glands. Beside their proliferation capacity during in vitro culture, the obtained cell populations are characterized by their prominent nestin expression. The cells share surface proteins commonly expressed on adult stem cells. We demonstrated the expression of stem cell-related genes like Oct4, Sox2, KLF4 and Nanog, and confirmed multipotent differentiation capacity by detecting transcripts expressed in endodermal, mesodermal and ectodermal cell types. Conclusion With this study we present an efficient procedure for isolation and propagation of nestin-positive stem cells obtained from male and female breast tissue, which is frequently available. The established multipotent cell populations could be easily expanded in vitro and thus hold promise for cell-based therapies and personalized medicine.
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Ghebeh H, Sleiman GM, Manogaran PS, Al-Mazrou A, Barhoush E, Al-Mohanna FH, Tulbah A, Al-Faqeeh K, Adra CN. Profiling of normal and malignant breast tissue show CD44high/CD24low phenotype as a predominant stem/progenitor marker when used in combination with Ep-CAM/CD49f markers. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:289. [PMID: 23768049 PMCID: PMC3702414 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulating evidence supports cancer to initiate and develop from a small population of stem-like cells termed as cancer stem cells (CSC). The exact phenotype of CSC and their counterparts in normal mammary gland is not well characterized. In this study our aim was to evaluate the phenotype and function of stem/progenitor cells in normal mammary epithelial cell populations and their malignant counterparts. Methods Freshly isolated cells from both normal and malignant human breasts were sorted using 13 widely used stem/progenitor cell markers individually or in combination by multi-parametric (up to 9 colors) cell sorting. The sorted populations were functionally evaluated by their ability to form colonies and mammospheres, in vitro. Results We have compared, for the first time, the stem/progenitor markers of normal and malignant breasts side-by-side. Amongst all markers tested, we found CD44high/CD24low cell surface marker combination to be the most efficient at selecting normal epithelial progenitors. Further fractionation of CD44high/CD24low positive cells showed that this phenotype selects for luminal progenitors within Ep-CAMhigh/CD49f + cells, and enriches for basal progenitors within Ep-CAM-/low/CD49f + cells. On the other hand, primary breast cancer samples, which were mainly luminal Ep-CAMhigh, had CD44high/CD24low cells among both CD49fneg and CD49f + cancer cell fractions. However, functionally, CSC were predominantly CD49f + proposing the use of CD44high/CD24low in combination with Ep-CAM/CD49f cell surface markers to further enrich for CSC. Conclusion Our study clearly demonstrates that both normal and malignant breast cells with the CD44high/CD24low phenotype have the highest stem/progenitor cell ability when used in combination with Ep-CAM/CD49f reference markers. We believe that this extensive characterization study will help in understanding breast cancer carcinogenesis, heterogeneity and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Ghebeh
- Stem Cell & Tissue Re-engineering Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Borena BM, Bussche L, Burvenich C, Duchateau L, Van de Walle GR. Mammary stem cell research in veterinary science: an update. Stem Cells Dev 2013; 22:1743-51. [PMID: 23360296 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammary gland is an organ with a remarkable regenerative capacity that can undergo multiple cycles of proliferation, lactation, and involution. Growing evidence suggests that these changes are driven by the coordinated division and differentiation of mammary stem cell populations (MaSC). Whereas information regarding MaSC and their role in comparative mammary gland physiology is readily available in human and mice, such information remains scarce in most veterinary mammal species such as cows, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, and dogs. We believe that a better knowledge on the MaSC in these species will not only help to gain more insights into mammary gland (patho) physiology in veterinary medicine, but will also be of value for human medicine. Therefore, this review summarizes the current knowledge on stem cell isolation and characterization in different mammals of veterinary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bizunesh M Borena
- Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Dong Q, Wang D, Bandyopadhyay A, Gao H, Gorena KM, Hildreth K, Rebel VI, Walter CA, Huang C, Sun LZ. Mammospheres from murine mammary stem cell-enriched basal cells: clonal characteristics and repopulating potential. Stem Cell Res 2013; 10:396-404. [PMID: 23466563 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2013.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of murine mammary stem cells (MaSCs) has been attempted with various in vitro and in vivo assays. While, the in vivo repopulation assay remains as the most definitive assay for MaSC detection, it is expensive, time-consuming, and technically challenging. The in vitro mammosphere assay was considered unreliable because of major concerns about its clonal origin. In the current study, co-culture experiments with mammary cells from fluorescent protein transgenic mice and time-lapse video microscopy revealed that >90% mammospheres formed from sorted basal epithelial-enriched cells were of clonal origin in terms of stem cell. These basal-cell derived mammospheres were further distinguished morphologically in a 3-dimensional extracellular matrix culture and functionally in the in vivo repopulation assay. Transplant of single mammospheres or the resultant 3-dimensional solid structures into gland-free mammary fat pads yielded a 70% success rate of multilineage mammary gland reconstitution. Thus, this in vitro sphere formation and differentiation assay is a reliable alternative to the in vivo repopulation assay for the study of MaSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoxiang Dong
- Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78299, USA.
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Shah M, Allegrucci C. Keeping an open mind: highlights and controversies of the breast cancer stem cell theory. BREAST CANCER-TARGETS AND THERAPY 2012; 4:155-66. [PMID: 24367202 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s26434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The discovery that breast cancers contain stem-like cells has fuelled exciting research in the last few years. These cells are referred to as breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and are thought to be involved in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Being intrinsically resistant to chemo- and radiotherapy, they are also considered responsible for recurrence of the disease after treatment. BCSCs have been suggested to be at the basis of tumor complexity, as they have the ability to self-renew and give rise to highly proliferating and terminally differentiated cancer cells that comprise the heterogeneous bulk of the tumor. There has been much speculation on the BCSC model, and in this review we address some fundamental questions, such as the identity of BCSCs and their involvement in tumor intra- and interheterogeneity. As an alternative to the BCSC model, we discuss clonal evolution, as both theories show extensive evidence in support of their arguments. Finally, we discuss a unifying idea that reconciles both models, which is based on stem cell plasticity and epigenetic modifications induced by the tumor microenvironment. The implications of cancer stem cell plasticity for drug discovery and future therapeutic interventions are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Shah
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, UK
| | - Cinzia Allegrucci
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, UK ; Center for Genetics and Genomics and Cancer Research Nottingham, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
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70
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Lobba ARM, Forni MF, Carreira ACO, Sogayar MC. Differential expression of CD90 and CD14 stem cell markers in malignant breast cancer cell lines. Cytometry A 2012; 81:1084-91. [PMID: 23090904 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The recently emerged concept of cancer stem cell (CSC) has led to a new hypothesis on the basis for tumor progression. Basically, the CSC theory hypothesizes the presence of a hierarchically organized and relatively rare cell population, which is responsible for tumor initiation, self-renewal, and maintenance, in addition to accumulation of mutation and resistance to chemotherapy. CSCs have recently been described in breast cancer. Different genetic markers have been used to isolate breast CSCs, none of which have been correlated with the tumorigenicity or metastatic potential of the cells, limiting their precise characterization and clinical application in the development of therapeutic protocols. Here, we sought for subpopulations of CSCs by analyzing 10 judiciously chosen stem cell markers in a normal breast cell line (MCF10-A) and in four human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435, and Hs578-T) displaying different degrees of metastatic and invasiveness potential. We were able to identify two markers, which are differentially expressed in nontumorigenic versus tumor cells. The CD90 marker was highly expressed in the malignant cell lines. Interestingly, the CD14 molecule displayed higher expression levels in the nontumorigenic cell line. Therefore, we demonstrated that these two markers, which are more commonly used to isolate and characterize stem cells, are differentially expressed in breast tumor cells, when compared with nontumorigenic breast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R M Lobba
- Biochemistry Department, Chemistry Institute, Cell and Molecular Therapy Center (NUCEL), University of São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, Brazil
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71
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Chiang HC, Nair SJ, Yeh IT, Santillan AA, Hu Y, Elledge R, Li R. Association of radiotherapy with preferential depletion of luminal epithelial cells in a BRCA1 mutation carrier. Exp Hematol Oncol 2012; 1:31. [PMID: 23210696 PMCID: PMC3514114 DOI: 10.1186/2162-3619-1-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) after breast conservation therapy has recently been linked with significant reduction in risk of ipsilateral breast cancer among BRCA1 mutation carriers. However, the exact mechanism by which RT reduces incidence of BRCA1-associated cancer remains unclear. Here we studied fresh breast tissue from a BRCA1 mutation carrier who was initially treated with a lumpectomy and RT for a unilateral cancer and two years later chose a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy while remaining cancer-free. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated a strikingly lower luminal cell population in the irradiated breast as compared to the non-irradiated breast, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the irradiated breast tissue exhibited very low progenitor cell activity in vitro. Given the emerging evidence that BRCA1 tumors originate from luminal progenitor cells, our observations suggest that preferential and long-lasting elimination of luminal ductal epithelium may partly underlie the mechanism of RT-associated reduction in recurrence of BRCA1-associated cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai-Chin Chiang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78245, USA.
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Bandyopadhyay A, Dong Q, Sun LZ. Stem/progenitor cells in murine mammary gland: isolation and functional characterization. Methods Mol Biol 2012; 879:179-93. [PMID: 22610561 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-815-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The presence of adult functional mammary epithelial stem/progenitor cells in mammary gland and recent identification of enriched fraction of transplantable mammary stem cells (MaSCs) through specific cell surface markers have revolutionized the study to delineate the role of mammary stem/progenitor functions in both mammary gland development and mammary tumorigenesis. In this chapter, we have described detailed methods of isolation of mammary epithelial cells from murine mammary glands, enrichment of stem/progenitor fractions by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), in vitro mammosphere culture, and differentiation assays in two- and three-dimensional culture. We have also described the detailed protocol of in vivo cleared mammary fat pad transplantation assay for the assessment of the MaSC repopulating activity, which indicates their multilineage differentiation and self-renewal potential in vivo and is considered the "gold standard" assay of functional stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhik Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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Leccia F, Nardone A, Corvigno S, Vecchio LD, De Placido S, Salvatore F, Veneziani BM. Cytometric and biochemical characterization of human breast cancer cells reveals heterogeneous myoepithelial phenotypes. Cytometry A 2012; 81:960-72. [PMID: 22791584 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
To determine whether cell cultures maintain the cellular heterogeneity of primary tissues and may therefore be used for in vitro modeling of breast cancer subtypes, we evaluated the expression of a cell surface marker panel in breast cancer cell cultures derived from various subtypes of human breast carcinoma. We used a four-color flow cytometry strategy to immunophenotype seven human breast cancer cell cultures and four reference breast cancer cell lines. We analyzed 28 surface markers selected based on their potential to distinguish epithelial or mesenchymal lineage, to identify stem cell populations, and to mediate cell adhesion and migration. We determined their ability to form mammospheres and analyzed luminal cytokeratins CK18, CK19, and myoepithelial/basal CK5, SMA (alpha-smooth muscle actin), and vimentin expression by western blot. All cell surface markers showed a unimodal profile. Ten/28 markers were homogenously expressed. Four (CD66b, CD66c, CD165, CD324) displayed negative/low expression. Six (CD29, CD55, CD59, CD81, CD151, CD166) displayed homogenous high expression. Eighteen (CD9, CD10, CD24, CD26, CD44, CD47, CD49b, CD49f, CD54, CD61, CD90, CD105, CD133, CD164, CD184, CD200, CD227, CD326) were heterogeneously expressed. Spearman's rank test demonstrated a significant correlation (p< 0.001) between mesenchymal phenotype and breast cancer cell cultures. Breast cancer cell cultures, all CD44+, displayed concomitant high expression of only three antigens (CD10, CD54, CD90), and low expression of CD326; cell cultures formed mammospheres and expressed CK5, SMA and vimentin, and were weakly CK19-positive. We demonstrate that breast cancer cell cultures preserve inter-tumor heterogeneity and express stem/progenitor markers that can be identified, quantified and categorized by flow cytometry. Therefore, cell cultures can be used for in vitro modeling of breast cancer subtypes; immunophenotyping may mirror breast cancer heterogeneity and reveal molecular characteristics of individual tumors useful for testing target therapy.
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Abstract
The importance of adult neurogenesis has only recently been accepted, resulting in a completely new field of investigation within stem cell biology. The regulation and functional significance of adult neurogenesis is currently an area of highly active research. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have emerged as potential modulators of adult neurogenesis. GPCRs represent a class of proteins with significant clinical importance, because approximately 30% of all modern therapeutic treatments target these receptors. GPCRs bind to a large class of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. Besides their typical role in cellular communication, GPCRs are expressed on adult neural stem cells and their progenitors that relay specific signals to regulate the neurogenic process. This review summarizes the field of adult neurogenesis and its methods and specifies the roles of various GPCRs and their signal transduction pathways that are involved in the regulation of adult neural stem cells and their progenitors. Current evidence supporting adult neurogenesis as a model for self-repair in neuropathologic conditions, adult neural stem cell therapeutic strategies, and potential avenues for GPCR-based therapeutics are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van A Doze
- Department of Molecular Cardiology, NB50, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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Spaas JH, Chiers K, Bussche L, Burvenich C, Van de Walle GR. Stem/progenitor cells in non-lactating versus lactating equine mammary gland. Stem Cells Dev 2012; 21:3055-67. [PMID: 22574831 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammary gland is a highly regenerative organ that can undergo multiple cycles of proliferation, lactation, and involution. Based on the facts that (i) mammary stem/progenitor cells (MaSC) are proposed to be the driving forces behind mammary growth and function and (ii) variation exists between mammalian species with regard to physiological and pathological functioning of this organ, we believe that studying MaSC from different mammals is of great comparative interest. Over the years, important data has been gathered on MaSC of men and mice, although knowledge on MaSC in other mammals remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this work was to isolate and characterize MaSC from the mammary gland of horses. Hereby, our salient findings were that the isolated equine cells met the 2 in vitro hallmark properties of stem cells, namely the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Moreover, the cells were immunophenotyped using markers for CD29, CD44, CD49f, and Ki67. Finally, we propose the mammosphere assay as a valuable in vitro assay to study MaSC during different physiological phases since it was observed that equine lactating mammary gland contains significantly more mammosphere-initiating cells than the inactive, nonlactating gland (a reflection of MaSC self-renewal) and, moreover, that these spheres were significantly larger in size upon initial cultivation (a reflection of progenitor cell proliferation). Taken together, this study not only extends the current knowledge of mammary gland biology, but also benefits the comparative approach to study and compare MaSC in different mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan H Spaas
- Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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76
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Isolation of stem-like cells from spontaneous feline mammary carcinomas: Phenotypic characterization and tumorigenic potential. Exp Cell Res 2012; 318:847-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2011] [Revised: 02/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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77
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Hallett RM, Kondratyev MK, Giacomelli AO, Nixon AML, Girgis-Gabardo A, Ilieva D, Hassell JA. Small molecule antagonists of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway target breast tumor-initiating cells in a Her2/Neu mouse model of breast cancer. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33976. [PMID: 22470504 PMCID: PMC3314694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent evidence suggests that human breast cancer is sustained by a minor subpopulation of breast tumor-initiating cells (BTIC), which confer resistance to anticancer therapies and consequently must be eradicated to achieve durable breast cancer cure. Methods/Findings To identify signaling pathways that might be targeted to eliminate BTIC, while sparing their normal stem and progenitor cell counterparts, we performed global gene expression profiling of BTIC- and mammary epithelial stem/progenitor cell- enriched cultures derived from mouse mammary tumors and mammary glands, respectively. Such analyses suggested a role for the Wnt/Beta-catenin signaling pathway in maintaining the viability and or sustaining the self-renewal of BTICs in vitro. To determine whether the Wnt/Beta-catenin pathway played a role in BTIC processes we employed a chemical genomics approach. We found that pharmacological inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibited sphere- and colony-formation by primary breast tumor cells and primary mammary epithelial cells, as well as by tumorsphere- and mammosphere-derived cells. Serial assays of self-renewal in vitro revealed that the Wnt/Beta-catenin signaling inhibitor PKF118–310 irreversibly affected BTIC, whereas it functioned reversibly to suspend the self-renewal of mammary epithelial stem/progenitor cells. Incubation of primary tumor cells in vitro with PKF118–310 eliminated their capacity to subsequently seed tumor growth after transplant into syngeneic mice. Administration of PKF118–310 to tumor-bearing mice halted tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, viable tumor cells harvested from PKF118–310 treated mice were unable to seed the growth of secondary tumors after transplant. Conclusions These studies demonstrate that inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling eradicated BTIC in vitro and in vivo and provide a compelling rationale for developing such antagonists for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - John A. Hassell
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Functional Genomics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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78
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Hallett RM, Kondratyev MK, Giacomelli AO, Nixon AML, Girgis-Gabardo A, Ilieva D, Hassell JA. Small molecule antagonists of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway target breast tumor-initiating cells in a Her2/Neu mouse model of breast cancer. PLoS One 2012. [PMID: 22470504 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033976pone-d-11-22474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence suggests that human breast cancer is sustained by a minor subpopulation of breast tumor-initiating cells (BTIC), which confer resistance to anticancer therapies and consequently must be eradicated to achieve durable breast cancer cure. METHODS/FINDINGS To identify signaling pathways that might be targeted to eliminate BTIC, while sparing their normal stem and progenitor cell counterparts, we performed global gene expression profiling of BTIC- and mammary epithelial stem/progenitor cell- enriched cultures derived from mouse mammary tumors and mammary glands, respectively. Such analyses suggested a role for the Wnt/Beta-catenin signaling pathway in maintaining the viability and or sustaining the self-renewal of BTICs in vitro. To determine whether the Wnt/Beta-catenin pathway played a role in BTIC processes we employed a chemical genomics approach. We found that pharmacological inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibited sphere- and colony-formation by primary breast tumor cells and primary mammary epithelial cells, as well as by tumorsphere- and mammosphere-derived cells. Serial assays of self-renewal in vitro revealed that the Wnt/Beta-catenin signaling inhibitor PKF118-310 irreversibly affected BTIC, whereas it functioned reversibly to suspend the self-renewal of mammary epithelial stem/progenitor cells. Incubation of primary tumor cells in vitro with PKF118-310 eliminated their capacity to subsequently seed tumor growth after transplant into syngeneic mice. Administration of PKF118-310 to tumor-bearing mice halted tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, viable tumor cells harvested from PKF118-310 treated mice were unable to seed the growth of secondary tumors after transplant. CONCLUSIONS These studies demonstrate that inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling eradicated BTIC in vitro and in vivo and provide a compelling rationale for developing such antagonists for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin M Hallett
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Functional Genomics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
The majority of deaths from carcinoma are caused by secondary growths that result from tumour invasion and metastasis. The importance of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a driver of invasion and metastasis is increasingly recognised, and recent evidence has highlighted a link between EMT and the cancer stem cells that initiate and maintain tumours and have also been implicated in invasion and metastasis. Here, we review cancer stem cells and their link with EMT, and explore the importance of this link in metastasis and therapeutic resistance of tumours. We also discuss new evidence from our laboratory demonstrating that cancer stem cells display a remarkable phenotypic plasticity that enables them to switch between an epithelial phenotype that drives tumour growth and an EMT phenotype that drives metastasis. As successful therapies must eradicate cancer stem cells in all their guises, the identification of sub-types of cancer stem cells that display therapeutic resistance and phenotypic plasticity has important implications for the future design of therapeutic strategies. The ability to assay the responses of different cancer stem cell phenotypes in vitro holds promise for the rapid development of a new generation of targeted therapies that fulfil this objective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Biddle
- Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK,
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Isfoss BL, Holmqvist B, Alm P, Olsson H. Distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1-positive stem cells in benign mammary tissue from women with and without breast cancer. Histopathology 2012; 60:617-33. [PMID: 22260461 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2011.04109.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) in female breast tissue has been linked to stem cells, but little is known about the benign cellular organization in situ. We investigated the distribution of ALDH1-immunoreactive (ALDH1+) cells in histomorphologically benign breast tissue from 28 women with or without breast cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS ALDH1+ cells were detected in benign tissue of women aged 20-72 years, located most commonly at the luminal and intermediate ductular levels and in the stroma. ALDH1+ cell populations and Ki67+ cell populations were present in separate ductules, both cell types rarely showing epithelial differentiation. ALDH1+ cells were non-reactive to Ki67 and oestrogen receptor. Stromal round/oval ALDH1+ non-leukocyte cells in both age groups expressed contractile protein. There was a lower concentration of luminal and intermediate ductular ALDH1+ cells in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women, and in cancer patients than in non-cancer patients, and a higher concentration in women receiving exogenous hormones. CONCLUSIONS This study provides further evidence for the stem cell character of ALDH1+ cells, here in benign breast tissue of cancer and non-cancer patients throughout non-lactating adult life, and contributes evidence of benign stromal ALDH1+ cells. The distribution of ductular ALDH1+ stem cells appears to be influenced by hormonal status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn L Isfoss
- Department of Pathology, Telemark Hospital, Skien, Norway.
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81
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Detection of circulating tumor cells and tumor stem cells in patients with breast cancer by using flow cytometry: a valuable tool for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. Tumour Biol 2012; 33:561-9. [PMID: 22241087 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-011-0303-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2011] [Accepted: 12/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor stem cells (CTSC), a subpopulation of circulating tumor cells (CTC), may lead to recurrent diseases. The aim of this study was to detect CTC (CD45(-)EpCAM(+)) and CTSC (CD45(-)EpCAM(+)CD44(+)CD24(-)) of breast cancer (BC) patients, as well as to explore their clinical relevance. CTC and CTSC in peripheral blood (PB) of 45 female BC patients were detected by using flow cytometry (FCM). SKBR-3 cells were mixed with MNC of four healthy volunteers at different ratios in order to evaluate the sensitivity of FCM. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) was conducted and compared with FCM. The expression of EPCAM between CTC < 50 and CTC ≥ 50 groups (19.98 ± 23.93 versus 29.46 ± 29.27 × 10(-5)), and the expression of CD44 between CTSC negative and positive groups (0.85 ± 0.91 versus 0.81 ± 0.75) were statistically the same. FCM had higher specificity than QRT-PCR. Statistical differences were obtained between CTC < 50 and CTC ≥ 50 groups among different TNM stages, histology stages, estrogen receptor (ER) status and progesterone receptor (PR) status (P < 0.05). Statistical differences between CTSC negative and positive groups within different TNM stages and regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM) status (P < 0.05) were also obtained. Moreover, the percentage of CTC on CD45 negative cells (CD45(-)C) among different clinical pathology was statistically different, P = 0.000. Additionally, the percentage of CTSC on CD45(-)C with TNM stage was rising (0: 0.00 ± 0.00‰, I: 0.03 ± 0.05‰, II: 0.06 ± 0.14‰, III: 0.10 ± 0.09‰, IV: 0.29 ± 0.35‰, P = 0.034). Statistical difference in the percentage of CTSC on CD45(-)C among different RLNM status (P = 0.001) was also obtained. FCM to detect CTC and CTSC may be used to diagnose disease at early stage, to guide clinical therapy or to predict prognosis.
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82
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Cell hierarchy and lineage commitment in the bovine mammary gland. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30113. [PMID: 22253899 PMCID: PMC3258259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 12/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The bovine mammary gland is a favorable organ for studying mammary cell hierarchy due to its robust milk-production capabilities that reflect the adaptation of its cell populations to extensive expansion and differentiation. It also shares basic characteristics with the human breast, and identification of its cell composition may broaden our understanding of the diversity in cell hierarchy among mammals. Here, Lin− epithelial cells were sorted according to expression of CD24 and CD49f into four populations: CD24medCD49fpos (putative stem cells, puStm), CD24negCD49fpos (Basal), CD24highCD49fneg (putative progenitors, puPgt) and CD24medCD49fneg (luminal, Lum). These populations maintained differential gene expression of lineage markers and markers of stem cells and luminal progenitors. Of note was the high expression of Stat5a in the puPgt cells, and of Notch1, Delta1, Jagged1 and Hey1 in the puStm and Basal populations. Cultured puStm and Basal cells formed lineage-restricted basal or luminal clones and after re-sorting, colonies that preserved a duct-like alignment of epithelial layers. In contrast, puPgt and Lum cells generated only luminal clones and unorganized colonies. Under non-adherent culture conditions, the puPgt and puStm populations generated significantly more floating colonies. The increase in cell number during culture provides a measure of propagation potential, which was highest for the puStm cells. Taken together, these analyses position puStm cells at the top of the cell hierarchy and denote the presence of both bi-potent and luminally restricted progenitors. In addition, a population of differentiated luminal cells was marked. Finally, combining ALDH activity with cell-surface marker analyses defined a small subpopulation that is potentially stem cell- enriched.
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83
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Guest I, Ilic Z, Ma J. Preparation of epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells from murine mammary gland. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; Chapter 22:Unit22.3. [PMID: 22058055 DOI: 10.1002/0471140856.tx2203s50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The mammary gland is a complex organ consisting of multiple cell types that undergo extensive remodeling during pregnancy and involution, cyclical changes that suggest the existence of a resident stem cell population that is responsible for remarkable tissue regeneration. The basic functional unit of the mammary gland is the terminal duct lobular unit, which invades the stromal tissue (fat, connective tissue, blood vessels, etc.). Luminal epithelial cells line the ducts while outer myoepithelial cells secrete the basal lamina that separates the mammary gland parenchyma from the mesenchymal cells of the stroma. Within the epithelial cell population of the ducts resides the mammary gland stem cells and it is believed that this population is the origin of the mammary gland cancer stem cells as well. In the mouse, epithelial stem cells can be separated from mesenchymal cells on the basis of CD24, CD44, and CD49f expression. This allows for the determination of both normal and cancer stem cell potential of these two populations and permits investigation into their interaction in tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Guest
- Department of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Laboratories, New York State Department of Health, Albany, USA
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84
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Velasco-Velázquez MA, Li Z, Casimiro M, Loro E, Homsi N, Pestell RG. Examining the role of cyclin D1 in breast cancer. Future Oncol 2011; 7:753-65. [PMID: 21675838 DOI: 10.2217/fon.11.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin D1 overexpression is found in more than 50% of human breast cancers and causes mammary cancer in transgenic mice. Dysregulation of cyclin D1 gene expression or function contributes to the loss of normal cell cycle control during tumorigenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that cyclin D1 conducts additional specific functions to regulate gene expression in the context of local chromatin, promote cellular migration and inhibit mitochondrial metabolism. It is anticipated that these additional functions contribute to the pathology associated with dysregulated cyclin D1 abundance. This article discusses evidence that examines the significance of cyclin D1 in breast cancer with emphasis on its role in breast cancer stem cell expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A Velasco-Velázquez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo Postal 70-297, México DF, México
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85
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Distinct stem cells contribute to mammary gland development and maintenance. Nature 2011; 479:189-93. [DOI: 10.1038/nature10573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 648] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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86
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Pastrana E, Silva-Vargas V, Doetsch F. Eyes wide open: a critical review of sphere-formation as an assay for stem cells. Cell Stem Cell 2011; 8:486-98. [PMID: 21549325 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2011.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 637] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Sphere-forming assays have been widely used to retrospectively identify stem cells based on their reported capacity to evaluate self-renewal and differentiation at the single-cell level in vitro. The discovery of markers that allow the prospective isolation of stem cells and their progeny from their in vivo niche allows the functional properties of purified populations to be defined. We provide a historical perspective of the evolution of the neurosphere assay and highlight limitations in the use of sphere-forming assays in the context of neurospheres. We discuss theoretical and technical considerations of experimental design and interpretation that surround the use of this assay with any tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Pastrana
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neurology, and Neuroscience, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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87
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Gata-3 negatively regulates the tumor-initiating capacity of mammary luminal progenitor cells and targets the putative tumor suppressor caspase-14. Mol Cell Biol 2011; 31:4609-22. [PMID: 21930782 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.05766-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Gata-3 is a definitive marker of luminal breast cancers and a key regulator of mammary morphogenesis. Here we have explored a role for Gata-3 in tumor initiation and the underlying cellular mechanisms using a mouse model of "luminal-like" cancer. Loss of a single Gata-3 allele markedly accelerated tumor progression in mice carrying the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter-driven polyomavirus middle T antigen (MMTV-PyMT mice), while overexpression of Gata-3 curtailed tumorigenesis. Through the identification of two distinct luminal progenitor cells in the mammary gland, we demonstrate that Gata-3 haplo-insufficiency increases the tumor-initiating capacity of these progenitors but not the stem cell-enriched population. Overexpression of a conditional Gata-3 transgene in the PyMT model promoted cellular differentiation and led to reduced tumor-initiating capacity as well as diminished angiogenesis. Transcript profiling studies identified caspase-14 as a novel downstream target of Gata-3, in keeping with its roles in differentiation and tumorigenesis. A strong association was evident between GATA-3 and caspase-14 expression in preinvasive ductal carcinoma in situ samples, where GATA-3 also displayed prognostic significance. Overall, these studies identify GATA-3 as an important regulator of tumor initiation through its ability to promote the differentiation of committed luminal progenitor cells.
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88
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Ercan C, van Diest PJ, Vooijs M. Mammary development and breast cancer: the role of stem cells. Curr Mol Med 2011; 11:270-85. [PMID: 21506923 DOI: 10.2174/156652411795678007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The mammary gland is a highly regenerative organ that can undergo multiple cycles of proliferation, lactation and involution, a process controlled by stem cells. The last decade much progress has been made in the identification of signaling pathways that function in these stem cells to control self-renewal, lineage commitment and epithelial differentiation in the normal mammary gland. The same signaling pathways that control physiological mammary development and homeostasis are also often found deregulated in breast cancer. Here we provide an overview on the functional and molecular identification of mammary stem cells in the context of both normal breast development and breast cancer. We discuss the contribution of some key signaling pathways with an emphasis on Notch receptor signaling, a cell fate determination pathway often deregulated in breast cancer. A further understanding of the biological roles of the Notch pathway in mammary stem cell behavior and carcinogenesis might be relevant for the development of future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ercan
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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89
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Holliday DL, Speirs V. Choosing the right cell line for breast cancer research. Breast Cancer Res 2011; 13:215. [PMID: 21884641 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1027] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease. Gene expression profiling has contributed significantly to our understanding of this heterogeneity at a molecular level, refining taxonomy based on simple measures such as histological type, tumour grade, lymph node status and the presence of predictive markers like oestrogen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) to a more sophisticated classification comprising luminal A, luminal B, basal-like, HER2-positive and normal subgroups. In the laboratory, breast cancer is often modelled using established cell lines. In the present review we discuss some of the issues surrounding the use of breast cancer cell lines as experimental models, in light of these revised clinical classifications, and put forward suggestions for improving their use in translational breast cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah L Holliday
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
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90
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Pommier SJ, Hernandez A, Han E, Massimino K, Muller P, Diggs B, Chamberlain E, Murphy J, Hansen J, Naik A, Vetto J, Pommier RF. Fresh surgical specimens yield breast stem/progenitor cells and reveal their oncogenic abnormalities. Ann Surg Oncol 2011; 19:527-35. [PMID: 21748247 PMCID: PMC3264874 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-011-1892-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The process by which breast cancer stem cells arise is unknown. It may be that the benign stem cells in breast tissue are transformed into malignant stem cells through the acquisition of genetic abnormalities. In this study, we collected and compared benign and malignant breast stem/progenitor cells to determine whether specific genetic abnormalities occur in breast cancer stem/progenitor cells within the human body. Methods Fresh surgical specimens from benign and malignant breast tissues were obtained directly from the operating room and examined. Cells variably expressing stem cell-associated surface markers CD49f and CD24 were collected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The frequencies of these cells in benign and malignant breast tissues were ascertained. Oncogenetic mutation analyses were performed and expression of stem cell-associated genes was measured. Results The frequencies of stem/progenitor cells were similar between benign and malignant tissues. Stem cell-associated gene expression also was similar between benign and malignant stem cells. Genetic mutations in the PIK/AKT pathway were found in 73% of the tumors’ stem cells, specifically within two subpopulations. No mutations were found in stem/progenitor cell subpopulations from benign breast tissue. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that, following malignant transformation, breast cancer stem/progenitor cells retain their stem cell functions and relative frequencies. In addition, they develop malignant capabilities by acquiring mutations in genes critical for maintaining normal cellular metabolism and proliferation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1245/s10434-011-1892-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suellen J Pommier
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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91
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Serra R, Easter SL, Jiang W, Baxley SE. Wnt5a as an effector of TGFβ in mammary development and cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2011; 16:157-67. [PMID: 21416313 PMCID: PMC3107509 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-011-9205-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2011] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt5a is a member of the Wingless-related/MMTV-integration family of secreted growth factors, which are involved in a wide range of cellular processes. Wnt signaling can be broadly divided into two categories the canonical, ß-catenin-dependent pathway and the non-canonical ß-catenin-independent pathway. Wnt5a is a non-canonical signaling member of the Wnt family. Loss of Wnt5a is associated with early relapse of invasive breast cancer, increased metastasis, and poor survival in humans. It has been shown that TGF-ß directly regulates expression of Wnt5a in mammary gland and that Wnt5a mediates the effects of TGF-ß on branching during mammary gland development. Here we review the evidence suggesting Wnt5a acts as an effector of TGF-ß actions in breast cancer. It is suggested that the tumor suppressive functions of TGF-ß involve Wnt5a-mediated antagonism of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and limiting the stem cell population. Interactions between TGF-ß and Wnt5a in metastasis appear to be more complex, and may depend on specific cues from the microenvironment as well as activation of specific intracellular signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Serra
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0005, USA.
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92
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Cancer stem cells and side population cells in breast cancer and metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2011; 3:2106-30. [PMID: 24212798 PMCID: PMC3757406 DOI: 10.3390/cancers3022106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2011] [Revised: 04/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In breast cancer it is never the primary tumour that is fatal; instead it is the development of metastatic disease which is the major cause of cancer related mortality. There is accumulating evidence that suggests that Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) may play a role in breast cancer development and progression. Breast cancer stem cell populations, including side population cells (SP), have been shown to be primitive stem cell-like populations, being long-lived, self-renewing and highly proliferative. SP cells are identified using dual wavelength flow cytometry combined with Hoechst 33342 dye efflux, this ability is due to expression of one or more members of the ABC transporter family. They have increased resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and apoptotic stimuli and have increased migratory potential above that of the bulk tumour cells making them strong candidates for the metastatic spread of breast cancer. Treatment of nearly all cancers usually involves one first-line agent known to be a substrate of an ABC transporter thereby increasing the risk of developing drug resistant tumours. At present there is no marker available to identify SP cells using immunohistochemistry on breast cancer patient samples. If SP cells do play a role in breast cancer progression/Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC), combining chemotherapy with ABC inhibitors may be able to destroy both the cells making up the bulk tumour and the cancer stem cell population thus preventing the risk of drug resistant disease, recurrence or metastasis.
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93
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Normal and neoplastic nonstem cells can spontaneously convert to a stem-like state. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:7950-5. [PMID: 21498687 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1102454108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 859] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Current models of stem cell biology assume that normal and neoplastic stem cells reside at the apices of hierarchies and differentiate into nonstem progeny in a unidirectional manner. Here we identify a subpopulation of basal-like human mammary epithelial cells that departs from that assumption, spontaneously dedifferentiating into stem-like cells. Moreover, oncogenic transformation enhances the spontaneous conversion, so that nonstem cancer cells give rise to cancer stem cell (CSC)-like cells in vitro and in vivo. We further show that the differentiation state of normal cells-of-origin is a strong determinant of posttransformation behavior. These findings demonstrate that normal and CSC-like cells can arise de novo from more differentiated cell types and that hierarchical models of mammary stem cell biology should encompass bidirectional interconversions between stem and nonstem compartments. The observed plasticity may allow derivation of patient-specific adult stem cells without genetic manipulation and holds important implications for therapeutic strategies to eradicate cancer.
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94
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Al-Ejeh F, Smart CE, Morrison BJ, Chenevix-Trench G, López JA, Lakhani SR, Brown MP, Khanna KK. Breast cancer stem cells: treatment resistance and therapeutic opportunities. Carcinogenesis 2011; 32:650-8. [PMID: 21310941 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgr028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical and pathologic heterogeneity of human breast cancer has long been recognized. Now, molecular profiling has enriched our understanding of breast cancer heterogeneity and yielded new prognostic and predictive information. Despite recent therapeutic advances, including the HER2-specific agent, trastuzumab, locoregional and systemic disease recurrence remain an ever-present threat to the health and well being of breast cancer survivors. By definition, disease recurrence originates from residual treatment-resistant cells, which regenerate at least the initial breast cancer phenotype. The discovery of the normal breast stem cell has re-ignited interest in the identity and properties of breast cancer stem-like cells and the relationship of these cells to the repopulating ability of treatment-resistant cells. The cancer stem cell model of breast cancer development contrasts with the clonal evolution model, whereas the mixed model draws on features of both. Although the origin and identity of breast cancer stem-like cells is contentious, treatment-resistant cells survive and propagate only because aberrant and potentially druggable signaling pathways are recruited. As a means to increase the rates of breast cancer cure, several approaches to specific targeting of the treatment-resistant cell population exist and include methods for addressing the problem of radioresistance in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares Al-Ejeh
- Signal Transduction Lab, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
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95
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Arendt LM, Rugowski DE, Grafwallner-Huseth TA, Garcia-Barchino MJ, Rui H, Schuler LA. Prolactin-induced mouse mammary carcinomas model estrogen resistant luminal breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2011; 13:R11. [PMID: 21276249 PMCID: PMC3109579 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2010] [Revised: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tumors that express estrogen receptor alpha (ERα+) comprise 75% of breast cancers in women. While treatments directed against this receptor have successfully lowered mortality rates, many primary tumors initially or later exhibit resistance. The paucity of murine models of this "luminal" tumor subtype has hindered studies of factors that promote their pathogenesis and modulate responsiveness to estrogen-directed therapeutics. Since epidemiologic studies closely link prolactin and the development of ERα+ tumors in women, we examined characteristics of the aggressive ERα+ and ERα- carcinomas which develop in response to mammary prolactin in a murine transgenic model (neu-related lipocalin- prolactin (NRL-PRL)). To evaluate their relationship to clinical tumors, we determined phenotypic relationships among these carcinomas, other murine models of breast cancer, and features of luminal tumors in women. Methods We examined a panel of prolactin-induced tumors for characteristics relevant to clinical tumors: histotype, ERα/progesterone receptor (PR) expression and estrogen responsiveness, Activating Protein 1 (AP-1) components, and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (Stat5), extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and AKT. We compared levels of transcripts in the ERα-associated "luminal" signature that defines this subtype of tumors in women and transcripts enriched in various mammary epithelial lineages to other well-studied genetically modified murine models of breast cancer. Finally, we used microarray analyses to compare prolactin-induced ERα+ and ERα- tumors, and examined responsiveness to estrogen and the anti-estrogen, Faslodex, in vivo. Results Prolactin-induced carcinomas were markedly diverse with respect to histotype, ERα/PR expression, and activated signaling cascades. They constituted a heterogeneous, but distinct group of murine mammary tumors, with molecular features of the luminal subtype of human breast cancer. In contrast to morphologically normal and hyperplastic structures in NRL-PRL females, carcinomas were insensitive to ERα-mediated signals. These tumors were distinct from mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-neu tumors, and contained elevated transcripts for factors associated with luminal/alveolar expansion and differentiation, suggesting that they arose from physiologic targets of prolactin. These features were shared by ERα+ and ERα- tumors, suggesting a common origin, although the former exhibited transcript profiles reflecting greater differentiation. Conclusions Our studies demonstrate that prolactin can promote diverse carcinomas in mice, many of which resemble luminal breast cancers, providing a novel experimental model to examine the pathogenesis, progression and treatment responsiveness of this tumor subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Arendt
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
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96
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Gu B, Watanabe K, Dai X. Epithelial stem cells: an epigenetic and Wnt-centric perspective. J Cell Biochem 2010; 110:1279-87. [PMID: 20564229 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial stem cells, such as those present in mammalian skin, intestine, or mammary gland, are tissue stem cells capable of both long-term self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. Here we review studies implicating epigenetic control mechanisms in mammalian epithelial stem cell development and homeostasis. We also provide an update of recent progresses in the involvement of canonical Wnt signaling and note an interesting link between the Wnt pathway and chromatin regulation in epithelial stem cells. We anticipate that epigenetic and epigenomic studies of these cells will increase exponentially in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingnan Gu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
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97
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Martignani E, Eirew P, Accornero P, Eaves CJ, Baratta M. Human milk protein production in xenografts of genetically engineered bovine mammary epithelial stem cells. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13372. [PMID: 20976049 PMCID: PMC2957408 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 09/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the bovine species milk production is well known to correlate with mammary tissue mass. However, most advances in optimizing milk production relied on improvements of breeding and husbandry practices. A better understanding of the cells that generate bovine mammary tissue could facilitate important advances in milk production and have global economic impact. With this possibility in mind, we show that a mammary stem cell population can be functionally identified and isolated from the bovine mammary gland. We also demonstrate that this stem cell population may be a promising target for manipulating the composition of cow's milk using gene transfer. Methods and Findings We show that the in vitro colony-forming cell assay for detecting normal primitive bipotent and lineage-restricted human mammary clonogenic progenitors are applicable to bovine mammary cells. Similarly, the ability of normal human mammary stem cells to regenerate functional bilayered structures in collagen gels placed under the kidney capsule of immunodeficient mice is shared by a subset of bovine mammary cells that lack aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. We also find that this activity is a distinguishing feature of luminal-restricted bovine progenitors. The regenerated structures recapitulate the organization of bovine mammary tissue, and milk could be readily detected in these structures when they were assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. Transplantation of the bovine cells transduced with a lentivirus encoding human β-CASEIN led to expression of the transgene and secretion of the product by their progeny regenerated in vivo. Conclusions These findings point to a common developmental hierarchy shared by human and bovine mammary glands, providing strong evidence of common mechanisms regulating the maintenance and differentiation of mammary stem cells from both species. These results highlight the potential of novel engineering and transplant strategies for a variety of commercial applications including the production of modified milk components for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Martignani
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Peter Eirew
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paolo Accornero
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Connie J. Eaves
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Mario Baratta
- Department of Veterinary Morphophysiology, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Cohn E, Ossowski L, Bertran S, Marzan C, Farias EF. RARα1 control of mammary gland ductal morphogenesis and wnt1-tumorigenesis. Breast Cancer Res 2010; 12:R79. [PMID: 20923554 PMCID: PMC3096972 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Accepted: 10/05/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Retinoic acid signaling pathways are disabled in human breast cancer suggesting a controlling role in normal mammary growth that might be lost in tumorigenesis. We tested a single receptor isotype, RARα1, for its role in mouse mammary gland morphogenesis and MMTV-wnt1-induced oncogenesis. METHODS The role of RARα1 in mammary morphogenesis was tested in RARα1-knockout (KO) mice and in mammary tumorigenesis in bi-genic (RARα1/KO crossed with MMTV-wnt1) mice. We used whole mounts analysis, stem cells/progenitor quantification, mammary gland repopulation, Q-PCR, test of tumor-free survival, tumor fragments and cell transplantation. RESULTS In 2 genetic backgrounds (129/Bl-6 and FVB) the neo-natal RARα1/KO-mammary epithelial tree was 2-fold larger and the pubertal tree had 2-fold more branch points and 5-fold more mature end buds, a phenotype that was predominantly epithelial cell autonomous. The stem/progenitor compartment of the RARα1/KO mammary, defined as CD24(low)/ALDH(high activity) was increased by a median 1.7 fold, but the mammary stem cell (MaSC)-containing compartment, (CD24(low)/CD29(high)), was larger (~1.5 fold) in the wt-glands, and the mammary repopulating ability of the wt-gland epithelium was ~2-fold greater. In MMTV-wnt1 transgenic glands the progenitor (CD24(low)/ALDH(high activity)) content was 2.6-fold greater than in the wt and was further increased in the RARα1/KO-wnt1 glands. The tumor-free survival of RARα1/KO-wnt1 mice was significantly (p=0.0002, Kaplan Meier) longer, the in vivo growth of RARα1/KO-wnt1 transplanted tumor fragments was significantly (p=0.01) slower and RARα1/KO-wnt1 tumors cell suspension produced tumors after much longer latency. CONCLUSIONS In vitamin A-replete mice, RARα1 is required to maintain normal mammary morphogenesis, but paradoxically, also efficient tumorigenesis. While its loss increases the density of the mammary epithelial tree and the content of luminal mammary progenitors, it appears to reduce the size of the MaSC-containing compartment, the mammary repopulating activity, and to delay significantly the MMTV-wnt1-mammary tumorigenesis. Whether the delay in tumorigenesis is solely due to a reduction in wnt1 target cells or due to additional mechanisms remains to be determined. These results reveal the intricate nature of the retinoid signaling pathways in mammary development and carcinogenesis and suggest that a better understanding will be needed before retinoids can join the armament of effective anti- breast cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Cohn
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
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99
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Gastaldi S, Comoglio PM, Trusolino L. The Met oncogene and basal-like breast cancer: another culprit to watch out for? Breast Cancer Res 2010; 12:208. [PMID: 20804567 PMCID: PMC2949647 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent findings suggest the involvement of the MET oncogene, encoding the tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor, in the onset and progression of basal-like breast carcinoma. The expression profiles of basal-like tumors - but not those of other breast cancer subtypes - are enriched for gene sets that are coordinately over-represented in transcriptional signatures regulated by Met. Consistently, tissue microarray analyses have revealed that Met immunoreactivity is much higher in basal-like cases of human breast cancer than in other tumor types. Finally, mouse models expressing mutationally activated forms of Met develop a high incidence of mammary tumors, some of which exhibit basal characteristics. The present review summarizes current knowledge on the role and activity of Met in basal-like breast cancer, with a special emphasis on the correlation between this tumor subtype and the cellular hierarchy of the normal mammary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Gastaldi
- Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (IRCC), University of Torino Medical School, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy
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100
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Wang XY, Penalva LO, Yuan H, Linnoila RI, Lu J, Okano H, Glazer RI. Musashi1 regulates breast tumor cell proliferation and is a prognostic indicator of poor survival. Mol Cancer 2010; 9:221. [PMID: 20727204 PMCID: PMC2939568 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-9-221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2010] [Accepted: 08/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Musashi1 (Msi1) is a conserved RNA-binding protein that regulates the Notch and Wnt pathways, and serves as a stem cell marker in the breast and other tissues. It is unknown how Msi1 relates to other breast cancer markers, whether it denotes tumor initiating cells (TICs), and how it affects gene expression and tumor cell survival in breast cancer cells. Results Msi1 expression was analyzed in 20 breast cancer cell lines and in 140 primary breast tumors by western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Lentivirus RNA interference was used to reduce Msi1 expression in breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D grown as spheroid cultures and to assess stem cell gene expression and the growth of these cell lines as xenografts. In normal human breast tissue, Msi1 was expressed in 10.6% of myoepithelum and 1.2% of ductal epithelium in the terminal ductal lobular unit (TDLU), whereas, less than 0.05% of ductal epithelium and myoepithelium in large ducts outside the TDLU expressed Msi1. Msi1 was expressed in 55% of the breast cancer cell lines and correlated with ErbB2 expression in 50% of the cell lines. Msi1 was expressed in 68% of primary tumors and in 100% of lymph node metastases, and correlated with 5 year survival. Msi1 was enriched in CD133+ MCF-7 and T47D cells and in spheroid cultures of these cells, and Msi1 'knockdown' (KD) with a lentivirus-expressed shRNA decreased the number and size of spheroid colonies. Msi1 KD reduced Notch1, c-Myc, ErbB2 and pERK1/2 expression, and increased p21CIP1 expression, which is consistent with known Msi1 target mRNAs. Msi1 KD also reduced the expression of the somatic and embryonic stem cell markers, CD133, Bmi1, Sox2, Nanog and Oct4. Xenografts of MCF-7 and T47D Msi1 KD cells resulted in a marked reduction of tumor growth, reduced Msi1 and Notch1 expression and increased p21CIP1 expression. Conclusion Msi1 is a negative prognostic indicator of breast cancer patient survival, and is indicative of tumor cells with stem cell-like characteristics. Msi1 KD reduces tumor cell survival and tumor xenograft growth, suggesting that it may represent a novel target for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yang Wang
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
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