151
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Ferrari N, Riggio AI, Mason S, McDonald L, King A, Higgins T, Rosewell I, Neil JC, Smalley MJ, Sansom OJ, Morris J, Cameron ER, Blyth K. Runx2 contributes to the regenerative potential of the mammary epithelium. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15658. [PMID: 26489514 PMCID: PMC4614940 DOI: 10.1038/srep15658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although best known for its role in bone development and associated structures the transcription factor RUNX2 is expressed in a wide range of lineages, including those of the mammary gland. Previous studies have indicated that Runx2 can regulate aspects of mammary cell function and influence the properties of cancer cells. In this study we investigate the role of Runx2 in the mammary stem/progenitor population and its relationship with WNT signalling. Results show that RUNX2 protein is differentially expressed throughout embryonic and adult development of the murine mammary gland with high levels of expression in mammary stem-cell enriched cultures. Importantly, functional analysis reveals a role for Runx2 in mammary stem/progenitor cell function in in vitro and in vivo regenerative assays. Furthermore, RUNX2 appears to be associated with WNT signalling in the mammary epithelium and is specifically upregulated in mouse models of WNT-driven breast cancer. Overall our studies reveal a novel function for Runx2 in regulating mammary epithelial cell regenerative potential, possibly acting as a downstream target of WNT signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Ferrari
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD
| | - Alessandra I. Riggio
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD
| | - Susan Mason
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD
| | - Laura McDonald
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD
| | - Ayala King
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD
| | - Theresa Higgins
- Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LY
| | - Ian Rosewell
- Clare Hall Laboratories, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, EN6 3LD
| | - James C. Neil
- University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1QH
| | - Matthew J. Smalley
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
| | - Owen J. Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD
| | - Joanna Morris
- University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1QH
| | - Ewan R. Cameron
- University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1QH
| | - Karen Blyth
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD
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152
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Ingthorsson S, Hilmarsdottir B, Kricker J, Magnusson MK, Gudjonsson T. Context-Dependent Function of Myoepithelial Cells in Breast Morphogenesis and Neoplasia. CURRENT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS 2015; 1:168-174. [PMID: 28680803 PMCID: PMC5487766 DOI: 10.1007/s40610-015-0027-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Myoepithelial cells (MEPs) are specialized cells derived from epithelial progenitor cells, yet they also express the contractile machinery of smooth muscle cells. MEPs are prominent in glandular tissues where their function is to help expel secretions generated by the glandular epithelial cells. In the breast, MEPs are part of the bi-layered breast epithelium that line ducts and alveoli positioned perpendicular to the luminal epithelial cells (LEPs), separated from the surrounding stroma by the basement membrane. Researchers have recognized MEPs as important regulators of structural and functional behavior of LEPs, namely having role in polarization of LEPs, and regulating milk production. Furthermore, they have also been proposed to act as tumor suppressors as their presence inhibits invasion of cancer cells into the surrounding stroma. There is, however, accumulating evidence that MEPs in normal breast, carcinoma in situ and in invasive breast cancer differ significantly in terms of marker expression and this may truly interfere with their ability to behave as tumor suppressors. The term myoepithelial cell is often used synonymously with basal cell. While all MEPs, due to their position, can be referred to as basal cells, some basal cells do not fulfill the criteria of being MEPs. Synonymous use of these terms may hold true under normal conditions but careful interpretation of these terms should be used in breast cancer. In recent years, partial myoepithelial differentiation and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been shown to be associated with, and in some cases, necessary for cancer invasion and metastasis. In this review, we will discuss the context-dependent role of MEPs in breast morphogenesis, tumor suppression, and also the appearance of basal or partial myoepithelial differentiation in aggressive forms of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saevar Ingthorsson
- Stem Cell Research Unit, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Laboratory Hematology, Landspítali-University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Bylgja Hilmarsdottir
- Stem Cell Research Unit, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Laboratory Hematology, Landspítali-University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Jennifer Kricker
- Stem Cell Research Unit, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Laboratory Hematology, Landspítali-University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Magnus Karl Magnusson
- Stem Cell Research Unit, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Laboratory Hematology, Landspítali-University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Thorarinn Gudjonsson
- Stem Cell Research Unit, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Laboratory Hematology, Landspítali-University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
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153
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Mandon M, Hermo L, Cyr DG. Isolated Rat Epididymal Basal Cells Share Common Properties with Adult Stem Cells. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:115. [PMID: 26400399 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.133967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
There is little information on the function of epididymal basal cells. These cells secrete prostaglandins, can metabolize radical oxygen species, and have apical projections that are components of the blood-epididymis barrier. The objective of this study was to develop a reproducible protocol to isolate rat epididymal basal cells and to characterize their function by gene expression profiling. Integrin-alpha6 was used to isolate a highly purified population of basal cells. Microarray analysis indicated that expression levels of 552 genes were enriched in basal cells relative to other cell types. Among these genes, 45 were expressed at levels of 5-fold or greater. These highly expressed genes coded for proteins implicated in cell adhesion, cytoskeletal function, ion transport, cellular signaling, and epidermal function, and included proteases and antiproteases, signal transduction, and transcription factors. Several highly expressed genes have been reported in adult stem cells, suggesting that basal cells may represent an epididymal stem cell population. A basal cell culture was established that showed that these basal cells can differentiate in vitro from keratin (KRT) 5-positive cells to cells that express KRT8 and connexin 26, a marker of columnar cells. These data provide novel information on epididymal basal cell gene expression and suggest that these cells can act as adult stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Mandon
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Institut Armand-Frappier, Université du Québec, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis Hermo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daniel G Cyr
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Institut Armand-Frappier, Université du Québec, Laval, Quebec, Canada Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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154
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Dravis C, Spike BT, Harrell JC, Johns C, Trejo CL, Southard-Smith EM, Perou CM, Wahl GM. Sox10 Regulates Stem/Progenitor and Mesenchymal Cell States in Mammary Epithelial Cells. Cell Rep 2015; 12:2035-48. [PMID: 26365194 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
To discover mechanisms that mediate plasticity in mammary cells, we characterized signaling networks that are present in the mammary stem cells responsible for fetal and adult mammary development. These analyses identified a signaling axis between FGF signaling and the transcription factor Sox10. Here, we show that Sox10 is specifically expressed in mammary cells exhibiting the highest levels of stem/progenitor activity. This includes fetal and adult mammary cells in vivo and mammary organoids in vitro. Sox10 is functionally relevant, as its deletion reduces stem/progenitor competence whereas its overexpression increases stem/progenitor activity. Intriguingly, we also show that Sox10 overexpression causes mammary cells to undergo a mesenchymal transition. Consistent with these findings, Sox10 is preferentially expressed in stem- and mesenchymal-like breast cancers. These results demonstrate a signaling mechanism through which stem and mesenchymal states are acquired in mammary cells and suggest therapeutic avenues in breast cancers for which targeted therapies are currently unavailable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Dravis
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Benjamin T Spike
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - J Chuck Harrell
- Department of Pathology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Claire Johns
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Christy L Trejo
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - E Michelle Southard-Smith
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Charles M Perou
- Departments of Genetics and Pathology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Geoffrey M Wahl
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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155
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Castillo-Lluva S, Hontecillas-Prieto L, Blanco-Gómez A, Del Mar Sáez-Freire M, García-Cenador B, García-Criado J, Pérez-Andrés M, Orfao A, Cañamero M, Mao JH, Gridley T, Castellanos-Martín A, Pérez-Losada J. A new role of SNAI2 in postlactational involution of the mammary gland links it to luminal breast cancer development. Oncogene 2015; 34:4777-90. [PMID: 26096931 PMCID: PMC4560637 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 04/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a major cause of mortality in women. The transcription factor SNAI2 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several types of cancer, including breast cancer of basal origin. Here we show that SNAI2 is also important in the development of breast cancer of luminal origin in MMTV-ErbB2 mice. SNAI2 deficiency leads to longer latency and fewer luminal tumors, both of these being characteristics of pretumoral origin. These effects were associated with reduced proliferation and a decreased ability to generate mammospheres in normal mammary glands. However, the capacity to metastasize was not modified. Under conditions of increased ERBB2 oncogenic activity after pregnancy plus SNAI2 deficiency, both pretumoral defects-latency and tumor load-were compensated. However, the incidence of lung metastases was dramatically reduced. Furthermore, SNAI2 was required for proper postlactational involution of the breast. At 3 days post lactational involution, the mammary glands of Snai2-deficient mice exhibited lower levels of pSTAT3 and higher levels of pAKT1, resulting in decreased apoptosis. Abundant noninvoluted ducts were still present at 30 days post lactation, with a greater number of residual ERBB2+ cells. These results suggest that this defect in involution leads to an increase in the number of susceptible target cells for transformation, to the recovery of the capacity to generate mammospheres and to an increase in the number of tumors. Our work demonstrates the participation of SNAI2 in the pathogenesis of luminal breast cancer, and reveals an unexpected connection between the processes of postlactational involution and breast tumorigenesis in Snai2-null mutant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Castillo-Lluva
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - L Hontecillas-Prieto
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - A Blanco-Gómez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - M Del Mar Sáez-Freire
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - B García-Cenador
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - J García-Criado
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - M Pérez-Andrés
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Unidad de Citometría de flujo, Universidad de Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
| | - A Orfao
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Unidad de Citometría de flujo, Universidad de Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
| | - M Cañamero
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - J H Mao
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - T Gridley
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, ME, USA
| | - A Castellanos-Martín
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - J Pérez-Losada
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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156
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Ye X, Tam WL, Shibue T, Kaygusuz Y, Reinhardt F, Ng Eaton E, Weinberg RA. Distinct EMT programs control normal mammary stem cells and tumour-initiating cells. Nature 2015; 525:256-60. [PMID: 26331542 PMCID: PMC4764075 DOI: 10.1038/nature14897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 541] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumour-initiating cells (TICs) are responsible for metastatic dissemination and clinical relapse in a variety of cancers. Analogies between TICs and normal tissue stem cells have led to the proposal that activation of the normal stem-cell program within a tissue serves as the major mechanism for generating TICs. Supporting this notion, we and others previously established that the Slug epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factor (EMT-TF), a member of the Snail family, serves as a master regulator of the gland-reconstituting activity of normal mammary stem cells, and that forced expression of Slug in collaboration with Sox9 in breast cancer cells can efficiently induce entrance into the TIC state. However, these earlier studies focused on xenograft models with cultured cell lines and involved ectopic expression of EMT-TFs, often at non-physiological levels. Using genetically engineered knock-in reporter mouse lines, here we show that normal gland-reconstituting mammary stem cells residing in the basal layer of the mammary epithelium and breast TICs originating in the luminal layer exploit the paralogous EMT-TFs Slug and Snail, respectively, which induce distinct EMT programs. Broadly, our findings suggest that the seemingly similar stem-cell programs operating in TICs and normal stem cells of the corresponding normal tissue are likely to differ significantly in their details.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ye
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore 138672, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Tsukasa Shibue
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Yasemin Kaygusuz
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Ferenc Reinhardt
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Elinor Ng Eaton
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Robert A Weinberg
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.,Ludwig Center for Molecular Oncology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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157
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Clonogenic assay allows for selection of a primitive mammary epithelial cell population in bovine. Exp Cell Res 2015; 338:245-50. [PMID: 26321394 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2015.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Adult mammary stem cells have been identified in several species including the bovine. They are responsible for the development of the gland and for cyclic remodeling during estrous cycles and pregnancy. Epithelial cell subpopulations exist within the mammary gland. We and others showed previously that the Colony Forming Cell (CFC) assay can be used to detect lineage-restricted mammary progenitors. We carried out CFCs with bovine mammary cells and manually separated colonies with specific morphologies associated with either a luminal or a myoepithelial phenotype. Expression of specific markers was assessed by immunocytochemistry or by flow cytometry to confirm that the manual separation resulted in isolation of phenotipically different cells. When transplanted in recipient immunodeficient mice, we found that only myoepithelial-like colonies gave rise to outgrowths that resembled bovine mammary alveoli, thus proving that adult stem cells were maintained during culture and segregated with myoepithelial cells. After recovery of the cells from the transplanted mice and subsequent progenitor content analysis, we found a tendency to detect a higher progenitor frequency when myoepithelial-like colonies were transplanted. We here demonstrate that bovine adult mammary stem cells can be sustained in short-term culture and that they can be enriched by manually selecting for basal-like morphology.
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158
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Chang CH, Zhang M, Rajapakshe K, Coarfa C, Edwards D, Huang S, Rosen JM. Mammary Stem Cells and Tumor-Initiating Cells Are More Resistant to Apoptosis and Exhibit Increased DNA Repair Activity in Response to DNA Damage. Stem Cell Reports 2015; 5:378-91. [PMID: 26300228 PMCID: PMC4618454 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult stem cells and tumor-initiating cells (TICs) often employ different mechanisms of DNA damage response (DDR) as compared to other tissue cell types. However, little is known about how mammary stem cells (MaSCs) and mammary TICs respond to DNA damage. Using the mouse mammary gland and syngeneic p53-null tumors as models, we investigated the molecular and physiological consequences of DNA damage in wild-type MaSCs, p53-null MaSCs, and p53-null TICs. We showed that wild-type MaSCs and basal cells are more resistant to apoptosis and exhibit increased non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) activity. Loss of p53 in mammary epithelium affected both cell-cycle regulation and DNA repair efficiency. In p53-null tumors, we showed that TICs are more resistant to ionizing radiation (IR) due to decreased apoptosis, elevated NHEJ activity, and more-rapid DNA repair. These results have important implications for understanding DDR mechanisms involved in both tumorigenesis and therapy resistance. MaSCs are more resistant to apoptosis and exhibit increased NHEJ activity Loss of p53 in MECs impairs cell-cycle regulation and DNA repair efficiency TICs exhibit decreased apoptosis, increased DNA repair efficiency, and NHEJ activity TICs are highly proliferative and exhibit improper cell-cycle regulation after IR
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Hsuan Chang
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mei Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Kimal Rajapakshe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dean Edwards
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shixia Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Rosen
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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159
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PIK3CA(H1047R) induces multipotency and multi-lineage mammary tumours. Nature 2015; 525:114-8. [PMID: 26266975 DOI: 10.1038/nature14669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The adult mouse mammary epithelium contains self-sustained cell lineages that form the inner luminal and outer basal cell layers, with stem and progenitor cells contributing to its proliferative and regenerative potential. A key issue in breast cancer biology is the effect of genomic lesions in specific mammary cell lineages on tumour heterogeneity and progression. The impact of transforming events on fate conversion in cancer cells of origin and thus their contribution to tumour heterogeneity remains largely elusive. Using in situ genetic lineage tracing and limiting dilution transplantation, we have unravelled the potential of PIK3CA(H1047R), one of the most frequent mutations occurring in human breast cancer, to induce multipotency during tumorigenesis in the mammary gland. Here we show that expression of PIK3CA(H1047R) in lineage-committed basal Lgr5-positive and luminal keratin-8-positive cells of the adult mouse mammary gland evokes cell dedifferentiation into a multipotent stem-like state, suggesting this to be a mechanism involved in the formation of heterogeneous, multi-lineage mammary tumours. Moreover, we show that the tumour cell of origin influences the frequency of malignant mammary tumours. Our results define a key effect of PIK3CA(H1047R) on mammary cell fate in the pre-neoplastic mammary gland and show that the cell of origin of PIK3CA(H1047R) tumours dictates their malignancy, thus revealing a mechanism underlying tumour heterogeneity and aggressiveness.
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160
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Bovine CD49 positive-cell subpopulation remarkably increases in mammary epithelial cells that retain a stem-like phenotype. Res Vet Sci 2015; 102:1-6. [PMID: 26412510 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
We previously proved that adult stem cells reside in the bovine mammary gland and possess an intrinsic potential to generate a functional mammary outgrowth. The aim of this study was to investigate on the immunophenotyping features retained by mammary stem-like cells detected in long term culture. Flow cytometry analysis showed different subpopulations of mammary epithelial cells emerging according to the timing of cell culture. CD49f(+)-cells significantly increased during the culture (p<0.01) and a similar trend was observed, even if less regular, for CD29(+) and ALDH1 positive cell populations. No difference during the culture was observed for CD24 positive cells but after 35 days of culture a subset of cells, CD49f positive, still retained regenerative capabilities in in vivo xenotransplants. These cells were able to form organized pseudo-alveoli when transplanted in immunodeficient mice. These results prove the presence of a multipotent cell subpopulation that retain a strong epithelial induction, confirmed in in vivo xenotransplants with a presumable in vitro expansion of the primitive population of adult mammary stem cells.
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161
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Tao L, van Bragt MPA, Li Z. A Long-Lived Luminal Subpopulation Enriched with Alveolar Progenitors Serves as Cellular Origin of Heterogeneous Mammary Tumors. Stem Cell Reports 2015; 5:60-74. [PMID: 26120057 PMCID: PMC4618443 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been shown that the mammary luminal lineage could be maintained by luminal stem cells or long-lived progenitors, but their identity and role in breast cancer remain largely elusive. By lineage analysis using Wap-Cre mice, we found that, in nulliparous females, mammary epithelial cells (MECs) genetically marked by Wap-Cre represented a subpopulation of CD61+ luminal progenitors independent of ovarian hormones for their maintenance. Using a pulse-chase lineage-tracing approach based on Wap-Cre adenovirus (Ad-Wap-Cre), we found that Ad-Wap-Cre-marked nulliparous MECs were enriched with CD61+ alveolar progenitors (APs) that gave rise to CD61- alveolar luminal cells during pregnancy/lactation and could maintain themselves long term. When transformed by different oncogenes, they could serve as cells of origin of heterogeneous mammary tumors. Thus, our study revealed a type of long-lived AP within the luminal lineage that may serve as the cellular origin of multiple breast cancer subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luwei Tao
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Maaike P A van Bragt
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhe Li
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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162
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Linnemann JR, Miura H, Meixner LK, Irmler M, Kloos UJ, Hirschi B, Bartsch HS, Sass S, Beckers J, Theis FJ, Gabka C, Sotlar K, Scheel CH. Quantification of regenerative potential in primary human mammary epithelial cells. Development 2015; 142:3239-51. [PMID: 26071498 PMCID: PMC4582177 DOI: 10.1242/dev.123554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We present an organoid regeneration assay in which freshly isolated human mammary epithelial cells are cultured in adherent or floating collagen gels, corresponding to a rigid or compliant matrix environment. In both conditions, luminal progenitors form spheres, whereas basal cells generate branched ductal structures. In compliant but not rigid collagen gels, branching ducts form alveoli at their tips, express basal and luminal markers at correct positions, and display contractility, which is required for alveologenesis. Thereby, branched structures generated in compliant collagen gels resemble terminal ductal-lobular units (TDLUs), the functional units of the mammary gland. Using the membrane metallo-endopeptidase CD10 as a surface marker enriches for TDLU formation and reveals the presence of stromal cells within the CD49f(hi)/EpCAM(-) population. In summary, we describe a defined in vitro assay system to quantify cells with regenerative potential and systematically investigate their interaction with the physical environment at distinct steps of morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena R Linnemann
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center for Health and Environmental Research Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Haruko Miura
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center for Health and Environmental Research Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Lisa K Meixner
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center for Health and Environmental Research Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Uwe J Kloos
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center for Health and Environmental Research Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Benjamin Hirschi
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center for Health and Environmental Research Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Harald S Bartsch
- Institute of Pathology, Medical School, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich 80337, Germany
| | - Steffen Sass
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Johannes Beckers
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany Department of Experimental Genetics, Technical University Munich, Freising 85354, Germany
| | - Fabian J Theis
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany Department of Mathematics, Technical University Munich, Garching 85747, Germany
| | - Christian Gabka
- Nymphenburg Clinic for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Munich 80637, Germany
| | - Karl Sotlar
- Institute of Pathology, Medical School, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich 80337, Germany
| | - Christina H Scheel
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center for Health and Environmental Research Munich, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
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163
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Tarulli GA, Laven-Law G, Shakya R, Tilley WD, Hickey TE. Hormone-sensing mammary epithelial progenitors: emerging identity and hormonal regulation. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2015; 20:75-91. [PMID: 26390871 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-015-9344-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hormone-sensing mammary epithelial cell (HS-MEC-expressing oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PGR)) is often represented as being terminally differentiated and lacking significant progenitor activity after puberty. Therefore while able to profoundly influence the proliferation and function of other MEC populations, HS-MECs are purported not to respond to sex hormone signals by engaging in significant cell proliferation during adulthood. This is a convenient and practical simplification that overshadows the sublime, and potentially critical, phenotypic plasticity found within the adult HS-MEC population. This concept is exemplified by the large proportion (~80 %) of human breast cancers expressing PGR and/or ERα, demonstrating that HS-MECs clearly proliferate in the context of breast cancer. Understanding how HS-MEC proliferation and differentiation is driven could be key to unraveling the mechanisms behind uncontrolled HS-MEC proliferation associated with ERα- and/or PGR-positive breast cancers. Herein we review evidence for the existence of a HS-MEC progenitor and the emerging plasticity of the HS-MEC population in general. This is followed by an analysis of hormones other than oestrogen and progesterone that are able to influence HS-MEC proliferation and differentiation: androgens, prolactin and transforming growth factor-beta1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard A Tarulli
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories (DRMCRL), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
| | - Geraldine Laven-Law
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories (DRMCRL), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Reshma Shakya
- Breast Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Centre for Personalised Cancer Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Wayne D Tilley
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories (DRMCRL), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Theresa E Hickey
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories (DRMCRL), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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164
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Arendt LM, Kuperwasser C. Form and function: how estrogen and progesterone regulate the mammary epithelial hierarchy. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2015; 20:9-25. [PMID: 26188694 PMCID: PMC4596764 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-015-9337-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammary gland undergoes dramatic post-natal growth beginning at puberty, followed by full development occurring during pregnancy and lactation. Following lactation, the alveoli undergo apoptosis, and the mammary gland reverses back to resemble the nonparous gland. This process of growth and regression occurs for multiple pregnancies, suggesting the presence of a hierarchy of stem and progenitor cells that are able to regenerate specialized populations of mammary epithelial cells. Expansion of epithelial cell populations in the mammary gland is regulated by ovarian steroids, in particular estrogen acting through its receptor estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and progesterone signaling through progesterone receptor (PR). A diverse number of stem and progenitor cells have been identified based on expression of cell surface markers and functional assays. Here we review the current understanding of how estrogen and progesterone act together and separately to regulate stem and progenitor cells within the human and mouse mammary tissues. Better understanding of the hierarchal organization of epithelial cell populations in the mammary gland and how the hormonal milieu affects its regulation may provide important insights into the origins of different subtypes of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Arendt
- Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology Department, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
- Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Laboratory for the Convergence of Biomedical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Dr, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Charlotte Kuperwasser
- Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology Department, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
- Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Laboratory for the Convergence of Biomedical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
- Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology Department, Tufts University School of Medicine, 800 Washington St, Box 5609, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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165
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Sale S, Pavelic K. Mammary lineage tracing: the coming of age. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:1577-83. [PMID: 25563489 PMCID: PMC11113887 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1817-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Identification and characterization of the normal epithelial lineages in the mammary gland is a fundamental step in understanding both development and cellular origin of cancer. In contrast to other tissues where lineage tracing has been widely accepted as a method of choice for dissecting the stem cell hierarchy, mammary gland has long remained a challenge due to its unique developmental and topological features. Recent advances in high-resolution single-cell imaging, combined with the use of inducible Cre-recombinase and in situ cell ablation, have provided unprecedented insight into mammary epithelial cell composition and function. Here, we briefly summarize and compare different mammary gland lineage tracing strategies, examine associated caveats and discuss future challenges and opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Sale
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejcic 2, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia,
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166
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Models of breast morphogenesis based on localization of stem cells in the developing mammary lobule. Stem Cell Reports 2015; 4:699-711. [PMID: 25818813 PMCID: PMC4400614 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of normal breast stem cells is important for understanding their role in breast development and in breast cancer. However, the identity of these cells is a subject of controversy and their localization in the breast epithelium is not known. In this study, we utilized a novel approach to analyze the morphogenesis of mammary lobules, by combining one-dimensional theoretical models and computer-generated 3D fractals. Comparing predictions of these models with immunohistochemical analysis of tissue sections for candidate stem cell markers, we defined distinct areas where stem cells reside in the mammary lobule. An increased representation of stem cells was found in smaller, less developed lobules compared to larger, more mature lobules, with marked differences in the gland of nulliparous versus parous women and that of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers versus non-carriers.
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167
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Inman JL, Robertson C, Mott JD, Bissell MJ. Mammary gland development: cell fate specification, stem cells and the microenvironment. Development 2015; 142:1028-42. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.087643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 279] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The development of the mammary gland is unique: the final stages of development occur postnatally at puberty under the influence of hormonal cues. Furthermore, during the life of the female, the mammary gland can undergo many rounds of expansion and proliferation. The mammary gland thus provides an excellent model for studying the ‘stem/progenitor’ cells that allow this repeated expansion and renewal. In this Review, we provide an overview of the different cell types that constitute the mammary gland, and discuss how these cell types arise and differentiate. As cellular differentiation cannot occur without proper signals, we also describe how the tissue microenvironment influences mammary gland development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L. Inman
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Claire Robertson
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Joni D. Mott
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Mina J. Bissell
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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168
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The origin of breast tumor heterogeneity. Oncogene 2015; 34:5309-16. [PMID: 25703331 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
How breast diversity is generated is a fascinating and fundamental question with important clinical implications. It is clear that the diversity of phenotypes displayed by breast cancer cells reflects the array of cell types present in the disease-free breast epithelium, including luminal, basal and stem cells. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the molecular regulators governing normal development of the breast epithelium may double as engines of breast tumor diversity. In the past few years, a deepened understanding of the mammary epithelial hierarchy has prompted the search for the cellular precursors of breast tumors. At the same time, the use of novel experimental strategies including the new technology of massively parallel sequencing has provided insight into the origin and evolution of breast tumors. Here, we review the current understanding of the basis of the intrinsic subtypes and the sources of inter-tumor heterogeneity.
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169
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Lindley LE, Curtis KM, Sanchez-Mejias A, Rieger ME, Robbins DJ, Briegel KJ. The WNT-controlled transcriptional regulator LBH is required for mammary stem cell expansion and maintenance of the basal lineage. Development 2015; 142:893-904. [PMID: 25655704 DOI: 10.1242/dev.110403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The identification of multipotent mammary stem cells (MaSCs) has provided an explanation for the unique regenerative capacity of the mammary gland throughout adult life. However, it remains unclear what genes maintain MaSCs and control their specification into the two epithelial lineages: luminal and basal. LBH is a novel transcription co-factor in the WNT pathway with hitherto unknown physiological function. LBH is expressed during mammary gland development and aberrantly overexpressed in aggressive 'basal' subtype breast cancers. Here, we have explored the in vivo role of LBH in mammopoiesis. We show that in postnatal mammary epithelia, LBH is predominantly expressed in the Lin(-)CD29(high)CD24(+) basal MaSC population. Upon conditional inactivation of LBH, mice exhibit pronounced delays in mammary tissue expansion during puberty and pregnancy, accompanied by increased luminal differentiation at the expense of basal lineage specification. These defects could be traced to a severe reduction in the frequency and self-renewal/differentiation potential of basal MaSCs. Mechanistically, LBH induces expression of key epithelial stem cell transcription factor ΔNp63 to promote a basal MaSC state and repress luminal differentiation genes, mainly that encoding estrogen receptor α (Esr1/ERα). Collectively, these studies identify LBH as an essential regulator of basal MaSC expansion/maintenance, raising important implications for its potential role in breast cancer pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linsey E Lindley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Kevin M Curtis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Avencia Sanchez-Mejias
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Therapeutics Program, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Megan E Rieger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - David J Robbins
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Therapeutics Program, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Karoline J Briegel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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170
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Huh SJ, Clement K, Jee D, Merlini A, Choudhury S, Maruyama R, Yoo R, Chytil A, Boyle P, Ran FA, Moses HL, Barcellos-Hoff MH, Jackson-Grusby L, Meissner A, Polyak K. Age- and pregnancy-associated DNA methylation changes in mammary epithelial cells. Stem Cell Reports 2015; 4:297-311. [PMID: 25619437 PMCID: PMC4325231 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2014.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Postnatal mammary gland development and differentiation occur during puberty and pregnancy. To explore the role of DNA methylation in these processes, we determined the genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of CD24(+)CD61(+)CD29(hi), CD24(+)CD61(+)CD29(lo), and CD24(+)CD61(-)CD29(lo) cell populations that were previously associated with distinct biological properties at different ages and reproductive stages. We found that pregnancy had the most significant effects on CD24(+)CD61(+)CD29(hi) and CD24(+)CD61(+)CD29(lo) cells, inducing distinct epigenetic states that were maintained through life. Integrated analysis of gene expression, DNA methylation, and histone modification profiles revealed cell-type- and reproductive-stage-specific changes. We identified p27 and TGFβ signaling as key regulators of CD24(+)CD61(+)CD29(lo) cell proliferation, based on their expression patterns and results from mammary gland explant cultures. Our results suggest that relatively minor changes in DNA methylation occur during luminal differentiation compared with the effects of pregnancy on CD24(+)CD61(+)CD29(hi) and CD24(+)CD61(+)CD29(lo) cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Jin Huh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kendell Clement
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David Jee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alessandra Merlini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sibgat Choudhury
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Reo Maruyama
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ronnie Yoo
- Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anna Chytil
- Department of Cancer Biology and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Patrick Boyle
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Fei Ann Ran
- Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Harold L Moses
- Department of Cancer Biology and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Laurie Jackson-Grusby
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexander Meissner
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Kornelia Polyak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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171
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Pfefferle AD, Spike BT, Wahl GM, Perou CM. Luminal progenitor and fetal mammary stem cell expression features predict breast tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2015; 149:425-37. [PMID: 25575446 PMCID: PMC4308649 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-014-3262-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mammary gland morphology and physiology are supported by an underlying cellular differentiation hierarchy. Molecular features associated with particular cell types along this hierarchy may contribute to the biological and clinical heterogeneity observed in human breast carcinomas. Investigating the normal cellular developmental phenotypes in breast tumors may provide new prognostic paradigms, identify new targetable pathways, and explain breast cancer subtype etiology. We used transcriptomic profiles coming from fluorescence-activated cell sorted (FACS) normal mammary epithelial cell types from several independent human and murine studies. Using a meta-analysis approach, we derived consensus gene signatures for both species and used these to relate tumors to normal mammary epithelial cell phenotypes. We then compiled a dataset of breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant anthracycline and taxane chemotherapy regimens to determine if normal cellular traits predict the likelihood of a pathological complete response (pCR) in a multivariate logistic regression analysis with clinical markers and genomic features such as cell proliferation. Most human and murine tumor subtypes shared some, but not all, features with a specific FACS-purified normal cell type; thus for most tumors a potential distinct cell type of ‘origin’ could be assigned. We found that both human luminal progenitor and mouse fetal mammary stem cell features predicted pCR sensitivity across all breast cancer patients even after controlling for intrinsic subtype, proliferation, and clinical variables. This work identifies new clinically relevant gene signatures and highlights the value of a developmental biology perspective for uncovering relationships between tumor subtypes and their potential normal cellular counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Pfefferle
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA,
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172
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