Milk protein expression and ductal morphogenesis in the mammary gland in vitro: hormone-dependent and -independent phases of adipocyte-mammary epithelial cell interaction

The Underlying Regulated Mechanisms of Adipose Differentiation and Apoptosis of Breast Cells after Weaning

Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that a series of remodeling processes occurred in the adipose tissue during the weaning, such as differentiation. Fibroblasts in the breast at weaning stage could re-differentiate into mature adipocytes. Many transcriptional factors were involved in these processes, especially the PPARγ, C/EBP, and SREBP1. There is cell apoptosis participating in the breast tissue degeneration and secretory epithelial cells loss during weaning. In addition, hormones, especially the estrogen and pituitary hormone, play a vital role in the whole reproductive processes. In this review, we mainly focus on the underlying regulated mechanisms of differentiation of adipose tissue and apoptosis of breast cell to provide a specific insight into the physiological changes during weaning.

Anatomical, Physiological, and Functional Diversity of Adipose Tissue

Adipose tissue depots can exist in close association with other organs, where they assume diverse, often non-traditional functions. In stem cell-rich skin, bone marrow, and mammary glands, adipocytes signal to and modulate organ regeneration and remodeling. Skin adipocytes and their progenitors signal to hair follicles, promoting epithelial stem cell quiescence and activation, respectively. Hair follicles signal back to adipocyte progenitors, inducing their expansion and regeneration, as in skin scars. In mammary glands and heart, adipocytes supply lipids to neighboring cells for nutritional and metabolic functions, respectively. Adipose depots adjacent to skeletal structures function to absorb mechanical shock. Adipose tissue near the surface of skin and intestine senses and responds to bacterial invasion, contributing to the body's innate immune barrier. As the recognition of diverse adipose depot functions increases, novel therapeutic approaches centered on tissue-specific adipocytes are likely to emerge for a range of cancers and regenerative, infectious, and autoimmune disorders.

Issues to be considered when studying cancer in vitro

Various cancer treatment approaches have shown promising results when tested preclinically. The results of clinical trials, however, are often disappointing. While searching for the reasons responsible for their failures, the relevance of experimental and preclinical models has to be taken into account. Possible factors that should be considered, including cell modifications during in vitro cultivation, lack of both the relevant interactions and the structural context in vitro have been summarized in the present review.

Dual regulation of breast tubulogenesis using extracellular matrix composition and stromal cells

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during embryogenesis are critical in defining the phenotype of tissues and organs. The initial elongation of the mammary bud represents a central morphological event requiring extensive epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk. The precise mechanism orchestrating this outgrowth is still unknown and mostly animal models have been relied upon to explore this process. Highly tunable three-dimensional (3D) culture models are a complementary approach to address the question of phenotypic determination. Here, we used a 3D in vitro culture to study the roles of stromal cells and extracellular matrix components during mammary tubulogenesis. Fibroblasts, adipocytes, and type I collagen actively participated in this process, whereas reconstituted basement membrane inhibited tubulogenesis by affecting collagen organization. We conclude that biochemical and biomechanical signals mediate the interaction between cells and matrix components and are necessary to induce tubulogenesis in vitro.

A multifunctional 3D co-culture system for studies of mammary tissue morphogenesis and stem cell biology

Studies on the stem cell niche and the efficacy of cancer therapeutics require complex multicellular structures and interactions between different cell types and extracellular matrix (ECM) in three dimensional (3D) space. We have engineered a 3D in vitro model of mammary gland that encompasses a defined, porous collagen/hyaluronic acid (HA) scaffold forming a physiologically relevant foundation for epithelial and adipocyte co-culture. Polarized ductal and acinar structures form within this scaffold recapitulating normal tissue morphology in the absence of reconstituted basement membrane (rBM) hydrogel. Furthermore, organoid developmental outcome can be controlled by the ratio of collagen to HA, with a higher HA concentration favouring acinar morphological development. Importantly, this culture system recapitulates the stem cell niche as primary mammary stem cells form complex organoids, emphasising the utility of this approach for developmental and tumorigenic studies using genetically altered animals or human biopsy material, and for screening cancer therapeutics for personalised medicine.

Adipocyte derived paracrine mediators of mammary ductal morphogenesis controlled by retinoic acid receptors

We generated a transgenic (Tg)-mouse model expressing a dominant negative-(DN)-RARα, (RARαG303E) under adipocytes-specific promoter to explore the paracrine role of adipocyte retinoic acid receptors (RARs) in mammary morphogenesis. Transgenic adipocytes had reduced level of RARα, β and γ, which coincided with a severely underdeveloped pubertal and mature ductal tree with profoundly decreased epithelial cell proliferation. Transplantation experiments of mammary epithelium and of whole mammary glands implicated a fat-pad dependent paracrine mechanism in the stunted phenotype of the epithelial ductal tree. Co-cultures of primary adipocytes, or in vitro differentiated adipocyte cell line, with mammary epithelium showed that when activated, adipocyte-RARs contribute to generation of secreted proliferative and pro-migratory factors. Gene expression microarrays revealed a large number of genes regulated by adipocyte-RARs. Among them, pleiotrophin (PTN) was identified as the paracrine effectors of epithelial cell migration. Its expression was found to be strongly inhibited by DN-RARα, an inhibition relieved by pharmacological doses of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) in culture and in vivo. Moreover, adipocyte-PTHR, another atRA responsive gene, was found to be an up-stream regulator of PTN. Overall, these results support the existence of a novel paracrine loop controlled by adipocyte-RAR that regulates the mammary ductal tree morphogenesis.

Synthetic adipose tissue models for studying mammary gland development and breast tissue engineering

The mammary gland is a dynamic organ that continually changes its architecture and function. Reciprocal interactions between epithelium and adipocyte-containing stroma exert profound effects on all stages of its development, even though the details of these events are not fully understood. To address this issue, enormous potential exists in the utilization of synthetic adipose tissue model systems to uncover the properties and functions of adipocytes in the mammary gland. The first part of this review focuses on mammary adipose tissue (or adipocyte)-related model systems developed in recent years and their utility in investigating adipose-epithelial interactions, mammary gland morphogenesis, development and tumorigenesis. The second part shifts to the field of adipose-based breast tissue engineering, focusing on how these synthetic adipose tissue models are being constructed in vitro or in vivo for regeneration of the mammary gland, and their potentials in adipose tissue engineering also are discussed.

Establishment of a mammary stromal fibroblastic cell line for in vitro studies in mice of mammary adipocyte differentiation

Mammary stromal adipose tissue remodeling is important for appropriate mammary gland development during pregnancy, lactation, and involution. However, the precise mechanisms underlying mammary stromal adipose tissue remodeling remain unclear. We have established a mammary stromal, fibroblastlike cell line (MSF) from primary mouse mammary culture by introducing a temperature-sensitive simian virus-40 large tumor antigen. Among several hormones related to mammary gland development, hydrocortisone was found to commit MSF cells to a preadipocyte lineage, whereas insulin was found to induce extracellular matrix-dependent adipogenic differentiation of the cells, as assessed by lipid accumulation and marker gene expression. Interestingly, such hormone-induced adipogenic differentiation of MSF cells, but not 3T3-L1 cells, was suppressed by prolactin through its receptor and downstream STAT5. Furthermore, coculture of MSF cells with mammary epithelial HC11 cells and culture in HC11-conditioned medium also suppressed adipogenic differentiation of MSF cells. We have demonstrated that adipogenic differentiation of at least some populations of mammary stromal cells is modulated by lactogenic hormones and humoral factors from epithelial cells, suggesting that the response of these mammary cells may differ from adipocytes at other sites. We believe that the MSF cell line will prove a useful model to elucidate mammary stromal adipose development in vitro as well as represent an important first step toward developing stable adipocyte cell lines that faithfully represent their site of origin.

Preadipocytes stimulate ductal morphogenesis and functional differentiation of human mammary epithelial cells on 3D silk scaffolds

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions play an important role in regulating normal tissue development as well as tumor development for the mammary gland, but much is yet to uncover to reach a full understanding of their complexity. To address this issue, the establishment of relevant, surrogate, three-dimensional (3D) human tissue culture models is essential. In the present study, a novel 3D coculture system was developed to study the interactions between human mammary epithelial cells (MCF10A) and adipocytes, a prominent stromal cell type in native breast tissue. The MCF10A cells were cultured within a mixture of Matrigel and collagen in 3D porous silk scaffolds with or without predifferentiated human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). The presence of hASCs inhibited MCF10A cell proliferation, induced both alveolar and ductal morphogenesis, and enhanced their functional differentiation as evidenced by histology and functional analysis. The alveolar structures formed by cocultures exhibited proper, immature polarity when compared with native breast tissue. In contrast, only alveolar structures with reverted polarity were observed in the MCF10A monocultures. The effect of ductal morphogenesis in cocultures may correlate to hepatocyte growth factor secreted by the predifferentiated hASCs, based on results from a cytokine blocking assay. Taken together, this in vitro coculture model on silk scaffolds effectively reconstitutes a physiologically relevant 3D microenvironment for epithelial cells and stromal cells and provides a useful system to study tissue organization and epithelial morphogenesis in normal or diseased breast development.

Enzymes of the taurine biosynthetic pathway are expressed in rat mammary gland

Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body and is present at high concentrations during development and in the early milk. It is synthesized from cysteine via oxidation of cysteine to cysteinesulfinate by the enzyme cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), followed by the decarboxylation of cysteinesulfinate to hypotaurine, catalyzed by cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSAD). To determine whether the taurine biosynthetic pathway is present in mammary gland and whether it is differentially expressed during pregnancy and lactation, and also to further explore the possible regulation of hepatic taurine synthesis during pregnancy and lactation, we measured mammary and hepatic CDO and CSAD mRNA and protein concentrations and tissue, plasma and milk taurine concentrations. CDO and CSAD mRNA and protein were expressed in mammary gland and liver regardless of physiological state. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the expression of CDO in ductal cells of pregnant rats, but not in other mammary epithelial cells or in ductal cells of nonpregnant rats. CDO was also present in stromal adipocytes in mammary glands of both pregnant and nonpregnant rats. Our findings support an upregulation of taurine synthetic capacity in the mammary gland of pregnant rats, based on mammary taurine and hypotaurine concentrations and the intense immunohistochemical staining for CDO in ductal cells of pregnant rats. Hepatic taurine synthetic capacity, particularly CSAD, and taurine concentrations were highest in rats during the early stages of lactation, suggesting the liver may also play a role in the synthesis of taurine to support lactation or repletion of maternal reserves.

Development of the mammary gland requires DGAT1 expression in stromal and epithelial tissues

Mammary gland development is a complex process that is dependent on interactions between the developing mammary epithelium and the surrounding stromal tissues. We show that mice lacking the triglyceride synthesis enzyme acyl CoA:diacylglycerol transferase 1 (DGAT1) have impaired mammary gland development, characterized by decreased epithelial proliferation and alveolar development, and reduced expression of markers of functional differentiation. Transplantation studies demonstrate that the impaired development results from a deficiency of DGAT1 in both the stromal and epithelial tissues. Our findings are the first to link defects in stromal lipid metabolism to impaired mammary gland development.

C2-ceramide as a cell death inducer in HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells

Ceramide is a lipid mediator in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in many cell lines. However, the molecular mechanisms for ceramide have not been clarified in HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells. Under phase contrast microscope, C2-ceramide-treated cells clearly showed morphological changes, which were characteristic features of apoptosis. Treatment with C2-ceramide at 10 microM specifically resulted in the death of 50% of the cells after 48 h as assessed by MTT assay. To further investigate which genes contribute to cell death in C2-ceramide-treated cells, we used the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to assess mRNA levels for five genes in the Bcl-2 family and five genes in the caspases family. The steady-state mRNA levels of Bax, Bad and Bak were not significantly changed for 48 h of C2-ceramide treatment. The increases of mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-w were observed for the first 3 h of C2-ceramide treatment and the last 24 h between 24 and 48 h. We also found that in HC11 cells, C2-ceramide increased mRNA levels of the caspases family from 6 to 24 h. These results suggest that in the HC11 cells, C2-ceramide promote cell death by mediating the induction of caspases and that HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells paradoxically up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-w to prevent C2-ceramide-mediated cell death.

Unexpected deposition of brown fat in mammary gland during postnatal development

Mammary fat tissue is crucial for mammary ductal morphogenesis in both fetal and adult mice. There are two kinds of adipocytes, the energy-storing white and the energy-dissipating brown adipocyte. The precise identity of the types of adipocyte in the mammary gland has never been investigated but was always assumed to be only white fat. In this study, we show that both white and brown adipocytes are present in the postnatal mammary gland. The amount of brown adipose tissue (BAT) examined by histology and electron microscopy correlates with the transcript levels of uncoupling protein 1, which is a mitochondrial carrier expressed exclusively in BAT. Uncoupling protein 1 mRNAs are the highest during prepuberty, decrease upon puberty, and are finally undetectable in the adult mammary gland. The analysis of a BAT-depleted mouse model showed that depletion of mammary BAT in early postnatal development induces epithelial differentiation. Alveolar structures were formed along all ducts and were functional since they produced beta-casein. However, mammary transplantation experiments indicated that a systemic effect was responsible for epithelium differentiation. Our data suggest that BAT negatively regulates the differentiation of mammary epithelial cells in a systemic manner during prepubertal ductal outgrowth.

Adipose tissue: a vital in vivo role in mammary gland development but not differentiation

Development and differentiation of the mammary gland occurs by means of critical stromal-epithelial interactions. Although many studies have attempted to understand these complex interactions, it has been difficult to demonstrate the essential role of adipose tissue in the development and function of the mammary gland. By using the A-ZIP/F-1 transgenic mice lacking in white adipose tissue (WAT), we have studied the role of adipocytes in mammary gland development and differentiation. In the absence of WAT, rudimentary mammary anlagen form but are unable to grow and branch normally, resulting in a few, short, severely distended ducts. However, during pregnancy, a tremendous amount of epithelial cell division and alveolar cell formation occurs even in the absence of adipocytes, illustrating that adipose tissue is not required for mammary gland differentiation. Mammary gland transplantation revealed that epithelial cells from these transgenic mice possess the potential for normal growth and differentiation when placed into a normal stromal environment. These experiments clearly demonstrate that the absence of adipocytes in the mammary gland results in disruption of stromal-epithelial interactions that prevent normal mammary gland development. The rudimentary epithelial anlage, however, contain mammary stem cells, which are fully capable of alveolar differentiation.

Differential interactions of specific nuclear factor I isoforms with the glucocorticoid receptor and STAT5 in the cooperative regulation of WAP gene transcription

The distal region (-830 to -720 bp) of the rat whey acidic protein (WAP) gene contains a composite response element (CoRE), which has been demonstrated previously to confer mammary gland-specific and hormonally regulated WAP gene expression. Point mutations in the binding sites for specific transcription factors present within this CoRE have demonstrated the importance of both nuclear factor I (NFI) and STAT5 as well as cooperative interactions with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the regulation of WAP gene expression in the mammary gland of transgenic mice. This study reports the characterization of NFI gene expression during mammary gland development and the identification and cloning of specific NFI isoforms (NFI-A4, NFI-B2, and NFI-X1) from the mouse mammary gland during lactation. Some but not all of these NFI isoforms synergistically activate WAP gene transcription in cooperation with GR and STAT5, as determined using transient cotransfection assays in JEG-3 cells. On both the WAP CoRE and the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat promoter, the NFI-B isoform preferentially activated gene transcription in cooperation with STAT5A and GR. In contrast, the NFI-A isoform suppressed GR and STAT cooperativity at the WAP CoRE. Finally, unlike their interaction with the NFI consensus binding site in the adenovirus promoter, the DNA-binding specificities of the three NFI isoforms to the palindromic NFI site in the WAP CoRE were not identical, which may partially explain the failure of the NFI-A isoform to cooperate with GR and STAT5A.

Regulation of the functional interaction between cyclin D1 and the estrogen receptor

We report that the functional interaction between cyclin D1 and the estrogen receptor (ER) is regulated by a signal transduction pathway involving the second messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP). The cell-permeable cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP caused a concentration-dependent enhancement of cyclin D1-ER complex formation, as judged both by coimmunoprecipitation and mammalian two-hybrid analysis. This effect was paralleled by increases in ligand-independent ER-mediated transcription from an estrogen response element containing reporter construct. These effects of 8-bromo-cAMP were antagonized by a specific protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, indicating that the signaling pathway involved was PKA dependent. Further, we show that culture of MCF-7 cells on a cellular substratum of murine preadipocytes also enhanced the functional interaction between cyclin D1 and ER in a PKA-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate a collaboration between cAMP signaling and cyclin D1 in the ligand-independent activation of ER-mediated transcription in mammary epithelial cells and show that the functional associations of cyclin D1 are regulated as a function of cellular context.

Mammary fibroblasts stimulate growth, alveolar morphogenesis, and functional differentiation of normal rat mammary epithelial cells

Stromal-epithelial interactions play a profound role in regulating normal and tumor development in the mammary gland. The molecular details of these events, however, are incompletely understood. A novel serum-free transwell coculture system was developed to study the natural paracrine interactions between mammary epithelial cells (MEC) and mammary fibroblasts (MFC) isolated from normal rats during puberty. The MEC were cultured within a reconstituted basement membrane (RBM) in transwell inserts with or without MFC in the lower well. The presence of MFC stimulated epithelial cell growth, induced alveolar morphogenesis, and enhanced casein accumulation, a marker of the functional differentiation of MEC, but did not induce ductal morphogenesis. Potent mitogenic, morphogenic, and lactogenic effects were observed when the MFC were cultured either on plastic or within a layer of RBM. Although most MFC maintained on plastic died after 1 wk in serum-free medium, fibroblast survival was enhanced significantly when the MFC were cultured within the RBM. Taken together, this in vitro model effectively reconstitutes a physiologically relevant three-dimensional microenvironment for MEC and MFC, and seems ideal for studying the locally derived factors that regulate the developmental fate of the epithelial and fibroblast compartments of the mammary gland.

Adipocyte-epithelial interactions regulate the in vitro development of normal mammary epithelial cells

Mammary epithelial organoids (MEO), isolated from pubescent rats, were cultured within a reconstituted basement membrane in transwell inserts, in the presence or absence of mature mammary adipocytes in the lower well. This system allowed for free medium exchange between the two compartments, without direct cell-to-cell contact. When cultured in serum-free medium supplemented with insulin, prolactin, hydrocortisone, progesterone, and various epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations, mammary adipocytes did not affect epithelial cell growth, but enhanced epithelial differentiation. Casein and lipid accumulations were monitored as indicators of functional differentiation of MEO. Mammary adipocytes significantly enhanced casein and lipid accumulation within the MEO, independently of EGF concentration. Furthermore, adipocytes induced MEO to preferentially undergo alveolar morphogenesis, inhibited squamous outgrowth, and increased lumen size. These findings demonstrate that morphological and functional differentiation of mammary epithelial cells is profoundly enhanced by the adipose stroma and that these effects are mediated by diffusible paracrine factors. This new model can be exploited in future studies to define the mechanisms whereby hormones and growth factors regulate mammary gland development and carcinogenesis. Moreover, it could complement in vivo reconstitution/transplantation studies, which are currently employed to evaluate the role of specific gene deletions in the regulation of mammary development.

Preadipocytes stimulate breast cancer cell growth

Mammary fat may affect human breast cancer development. In this study a novel coculture system was used to investigate stromal-epithelial cell interactions in vitro. The extent of differentiation of a feeder layer of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes affected the clonal growth of breast cancer cells under anchorage-independent conditions. When the feeder-layer preadipocytes were proliferating, the clonal growth of estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 and estrogen receptor-negative MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 cells was stimulated by 100%, 43%, and 60%, respectively. In contrast, after differentiation the feeder layer of mature adipocytes inhibited clonal growth of breast cancer cell lines by 60%. No clonal growth stimulation of human pancreatic (Panc-1) or prostatic (PC-3) cancer cells was noted when these cells were grown under identical conditions with a proliferating 3T3-L1 cell feeder layer. These findings suggest that proliferating preadipocytes may be associated with factors that specifically stimulate breast cancer cell growth.

Estradiol implants in the arcuate nucleus induce lactogenesis in virgin rats. Role of progesterone

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the centrally administered estradiol, and the effects of the consequent hypersecretion of prolactin (PRL) and progesterone, on lactogenesis as evaluated by mammary accumulation of casein and lactose. Bilateral cannulae containing 17beta-estradiol or cholesterol were implanted in the arcuate nucleus of virgin rats on the day of estrus (Day 0). In the first experiment different groups of rats were killed on Days 6, 9, 15, 17, or 19. Trunk blood was collected and abdominal mammary glands were taken. In the second experiment, estradiol-implanted rats received the progesterone antagonist mifepristone or vehicle at 14.00 h on Day 8 or 16 post-implant, and were killed 28 or 48 h later. Serum PRL and progesterone and mammary casein were measured by RIA and lactose was determined by an enzymatic assay. Estradiol-implanted rats showed a significant increase in both milk components at all time points after implant compared to controls. On Day 9 after estradiol implant, mifepristone had no effect on mammary content of casein or lactose. By contrast, on Day 16, mifepristone markedly increased both casein and lactose contents without modifying serum PRL and progesterone concentrations. In conclusion, 17beta-estradiol implants in the arcuate nucleus of virgin rats results in hyperprolactinaemia and stimulates mammary accumulation of casein and lactose in the absence of feto-placental units. Despite the prolonged luteal activation, the sustained high levels of circulating progesterone become inhibitory to lactogenesis after a relatively long period after implant.

Adenosine-mediated inhibition of casein production by mouse mammary glands in culture

The present study was carried out to examine whether activation of adenosine receptors by adenosine analogues will affect casein production by mouse mammary epithelial cells. The morphogenesis and functions of epithelial tissue in the mammary gland are influenced by their surrounding adipocytes. Adipocytes are known to release adenosine into the extracellular fluid which can modulate cyclic-AMP levels in surrounding cells through binding to their adenosine receptors. To examine a possible paracrine effect of adenosine, the modulation of casein production in mammary explant culture and mammary epithelial cell (MEC) culture by adenosine receptor agonists has been investigated. We have observed that activation of the A1-adenosine receptor subtype in mammary tissue by an adenosine analogue (-)N6-(R-phenyl-isopropyl)-adenosine (PIA) raised cAMP levels. PIA and another adenosine receptor agonist, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), inhibited casein accumulation both in explants and in MEC cultures in the presence of lactogenic hormones, which suggests that PIA or adenosine can act directly on the epithelial cells. This inhibition does not appear to be caused by elevation of cAMP levels or phosphodiesterase activity. The inhibition of intracellular casein accumulation by PIA and IBMX in explant cultures can be reversed via treatment of pertussis toxin which is known to ADP-ribosylate GTP-binding G alpha i-proteins, indicating that a Gi-protein-dependent pathway may be involved in this inhibition. The results also suggest that local accumulation of adenosine in the extracellular fluids of mammary glands is likely to inhibit the lactogenic response of mammary epithelial cells.

A mammary epithelial cell line is transiently stimulated towards milk lipid synthesis by lactogenic treatments

A subcloned mouse mammary epithelial cell line (COMMA-D/MME) was cultured on Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor cell matrix with lactogenic hormones (insulin, cortisol, prolactin) to stimulate differentiation and challenged with growth factors to interpret the relationship between the signals for growth and differentiation. After 21 days of pretreatment to promote differentiation, cells were capable of growth, but were always less responsive than cells that did not receive lactogenic pretreatment. Although the cells failed to express beta-casein mRNA, droplets of neutral lipids were present in the cell cytoplasm regardless of treatment. Lactogenic hormones induced the appearance of larger droplets that occurred in intracytoplasmic lumens and lipid synthesis rates were initially increased. However, the glycerol incorporation pattern of these lipids only reached 53% of the changes expected for lactating tissue. Furthermore, because secretion of the lipid was inhibited, the accumulation eventually inhibited synthetic capacity. The cellular expression of acetyl Co-A carboxylase message was increased by growth, but not by lactogenic treatments. It is concluded that the COMMA-D/MME are capable of partial and transient differentiation to synthesize milk lipids, but are inhibited by the accumulation of material due to inability to secrete.

Three-dimensional mammary primary culture model systems

Model systems have been developed to investigate the complex and coordinated regulation of mammary gland development and transformation. Primary cultures, using newly isolated cells or tissue, are optimal for such studies since, in comparison to immortalized cell lines, the normal signal transduction pathways are presumed to be intact. Three such models are described, including whole organ culture, mammary epithelial cell (MEC) organoids, and MEC-stromal cocultures. Studies using whole-organ culture have the advantage that the normal glandular architecture remains intact, the MEC can undergo lobuloalveolar development and express milk proteins in a hormone dependent manner, and, following hormonal withdrawal, undergo involution. Moreover, transformation of the MEC is readily accomplished. Culture of isolated MEC organoids within an EHS-derived reconstituted basement membrane permits extensive proliferation, branching end bud and alveolar morphogenesis, and accumulation of milk protein and lipid in a physiologically relevant hormone- and growth factor-dependent manner. This model can thus be utilized to investigate the mechanism by which various modulators exert their direct effects on the epithelium. Finally, in view of compelling evidence for stromal-epithelial interactions during normal mammary gland development, and potentially also during the development of malignancy, models in which MEC can be cocultured with enriched populations of stroma offer considerable potential as a tool to understand the nature and mechanisms of the interactions that occur during the various developmental states, and how such interactions may go awry during carcinogenesis.

Nuclear factor I and mammary gland factor (STAT5) play a critical role in regulating rat whey acidic protein gene expression in transgenic mice

The rat whey acidic protein (WAP) gene contains a mammary gland-specific and hormonally regulated DNase I-hypersensitive site 830 to 720 bp 5' to the site of transcription initiation. We have reported previously that nuclear factor I (NFI) binding at a palindromic site and binding at a half-site are the major DNA-protein interactions detected within this tissue-specific nuclease-hypersensitive region. We now show that point mutations introduced into these NFI-binding sites dramatically affect WAP gene expression in transgenic mice. Transgene expression was totally abrogated when the palindromic NFI site or both binding sites were mutated, suggesting that NFI is a key regulator of WAP gene expression. In addition, a recognition site for mammary gland factor (STAT5), which mediates prolactin induction of milk protein gene expression, was also identified immediately proximal to the NFI-binding sites. Mutation of this site reduced transgene expression by approximately 90% per gene copy, but did not alter tissue specificity. These results suggest that regulation of WAP gene expression is determined by the cooperative interactions among several enhancers that constitute a composite response element.

Morphologic differentiation of colon carcinoma cell lines HT-29 and HT-29KM in rotating-wall vessels

A new low shear stress microcarrier culture system has been developed at NASA's Johnson Space Center that permits three-dimensional tissue culture. Two established human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, HT-29, an undifferentiated, and HT-29KM, a stable, moderately differentiated subline of HT-29, were grown in new tissue culture bioreactors called Rotating-Wall Vessels (RWVs). RWVs are used in conjunction with multicellular cocultivation to develop a unique in vitro tissue modeling system. Cells were cultivated on Cytodex-3 microcarrier beads, with and without mixed normal human colonic fibroblasts, which served as the mesenchymal layer. Culture of the tumor lines in the absence of fibroblasts produced spheroidlike growth and minimal differentiation. In contrast, when tumor lines were co-cultivated with normal colonic fibroblasts, initial growth was confined to the fibroblast population until the microcarriers were covered. The tumor cells then commenced proliferation at an accelerated rate, organizing themselves into three-dimensional tissue masses that achieved 1.0- to 1.5-cm diameters. The masses displayed glandular structures, apical and internal glandular microvilli, tight intercellular junctions, desmosomes, cellular polarity, sinusoid development, internalized mucin, and structural organization akin to normal colon crypt development. Differentiated samples were subjected to transmission and scanning electron microscopy and histologic analysis, revealing embryoniclike mesenchymal cells lining the areas around the growth matrices. Necrosis was minimal throughout the tissue masses. These data suggest that the RWV affords a new model for investigation and isolation of growth, regulatory, and structural processes within neoplastic and normal tissue.

Comparative growth of normal and malignant mouse mammary epithelium cultured serum-free on a biomatrix from preadipocytes

Growth of normal and malignant mouse mammary epithelial cells (MMEC) on a biomatrix of substrate-attached material from 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was evaluated to devise culture conditions that are suitable for transformation studies but do not involve embedding cells in a gel. The biomatrix was prepared as described by Levine and Stockdale, and serum-free medium contained bovine serum albumin, insulin, progesterone, prolactin, and linoleic acid. Each cell type produced a distinctive pattern of colony architecture in this culture system. Cells from virgin mice (vMMEC) usually formed elaborate, three-dimensional structures resembling ducts and alveoli; cells from pregnant mice (pMMEC) grew as flat monolayers; and tumor cells grew in multilayered clusters. Cell growth was monitored by an assay for succinate dehydrogenase. Similar growth rates were found through Day 8 in cultures of vMMEC and D2 carcinoma cells. Growth of vMMEC slowed thereafter, whereas tumor cells typically continued growing through Day 14 to 18. Increase in cell number during 18 days in culture was 3-, 7-, 9-, and 11-fold for cells from pregnant and virgin mice, BALB/cfC3H and D2 carcinomas, respectively. The percent cells in S phase on Day 2 of culture was 9% for pMMEC, 4 to 11% for BALB/cfC3H tumor cells, 20% for vMMEC, and 24% for D2 tumor cells. Thus, this culture system promotes extended growth of MMEC and offers several advantages over embedding cells in a collagen gel. It may therefore be applicable to in vitro transformation studies with MMEC.

Proteinases of the mammary gland: developmental regulation in vivo and vectorial secretion in culture

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important regulator of mammary epithelial cell function both in vivo and in culture. Substantial remodeling of ECM accompanies the structural changes in the mammary gland during gestation, lactation and involution. However, little is known about the nature of the enzymes and the processes involved. We have characterized and studied the regulation of cell-associated and secreted mammary gland proteinases active at neutral pH that may be involved in degradation of the ECM during the different stages of mammary development. Mammary tissue extracts from virgin and pregnant CD-1 mice resolved by zymography contained three major proteinases of 60K (K = 10(3) Mr), 68K and 70K that degraded denatured collagen. These three gelatinases were completely inhibited by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases. Proteolytic activity was lowest during lactation especially for the 60K gelatinase which was shown to be the activated form of the 68K gelatinase. The activated 60K form decreased prior to parturition but increased markedly after the first two days of involution. An additional gelatin-degrading proteinase of 130K was expressed during the first three days of involution and differed from the other gelatinases by its lack of inhibition by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases. The activity of the casein-degrading proteinases was lowest during lactation. Three caseinolytic activities were detected in mammary tissue extracts. A novel 26K cell-associated caseinase--a serine arginine-esterase--was modulated at different stages of mammary development. The other caseinases, at 92K and a larger than 100K, were not developmentally regulated. To find out which cell type produced the proteinases in the mammary gland, we isolated and cultured mouse mammary epithelial cells. Cells cultured on different substrata produced the full spectrum of gelatinases and caseinases seen in the whole gland thus implicating the epithelial cells as a major source of these enzymes. Analysis of proteinases secreted by cells grown on a reconstituted basement membrane showed that gelatinases were secreted preferentially in the direction of the basement membrane. The temporal pattern of expression of these proteinases and the basal secretion of gelatinases by epithelial cells suggest their involvement in the remodelling of the extracellular matrix during the different stages of mammary development and thus modulation of mammary cell function.

Transgenic mice carrying the guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin gene transcribe milk protein genes in their sebaceous glands during lactation

We have generated transgenic mice carrying the entire guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin gene. Lactating transgenic mice expressed high levels of correctly initiated and processed guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin mRNA in the secretory epithelium of their mammary glands, and secreted guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin in their milk. Transcripts were detectable after 7 days of pregnancy, indicating that the transgene was under correct hormonal control. Whereas no or negligible transcription was detectable in all other tissues tested, high levels of transcripts were found in the skin of lactating transgenic mice. Guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin protein was undetectable in the skin, however. In situ hybridization analysis showed that expression was localized to the undifferentiated cells in the basal layer of the sebaceous glands. Further studies revealed high levels of endogenous beta-casein mRNA in normal lactating mouse skin, demonstrating that the transcription of milk protein genes in lactating mouse skin is a normal event, and is not peculiar to the transgene. This surprising finding highlights the developmental relationship of the mammary gland to other specialized structures of the skin, supports a role for epithelial-extracellular matrix interactions in the regulation of milk protein gene expression in vivo, and identifies the skin as a particularly accessible model system in which to study the regulation of milk protein gene expression. In addition, the guinea-pig alpha-lactalbumin gene will be a source of regulatory sequences with which to direct heterologous gene expression to the sebaceous glands of transgenic mice.

Primary culture of normal rat mammary epithelial cells within a basement membrane matrix. II. Functional differentiation under serum-free conditions

A serum-free primary culture system is described which allows normal rat mammary epithelial cells (RMECs) embedded within a reconstituted basement membrane to undergo extensive growth and functional differentiation as detected by synthesis and secretion of the milk products casein and lipid. RMECs isolated from mammary glands of immature virgin rats were seeded within an extracellular matrix preparation derived from the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm sarcoma and cultured in a serum-free medium consisting of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium-F12 containing insulin, prolactin, progesterone, hydrocortisone, epidermal growth factor, bovine serum albumin, transferrin, and ascorbic acid. Casein synthesis and secretion were documented at the electron microscopic level as well as by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay using a polyclonal antibody against total rat caseins. Numerous secretory vesicles with casein micelles were noted near the apical surface of the RMECs, and secreted casein was observed in the lumen. These ultrastructural data were confirmed by the ELISA assay which showed that microgram amounts of casein per well were synthesized by the RMECs and that the amount of casein increased with time in culture. Using immunoblot analysis it was demonstrated that the full complement of casein proteins was synthesized. In addition to casein protein, beta-casein mRNA levels were shown to increase with time. Synthesized lipid was detected at both the light and electron microscopic levels. Phase contrast photomicrographs demonstrated extensive intracellular lipid accumulation within the ductal and lobuloalveolarlike colonies, and at the electron micrograph level, lipid droplets were predominantly localized near the apical surface of the RMECs. The lipid nature of these droplets was verified by oil red O staining. Results from this study demonstrate that RMECs from immature virgin rats proliferate extensively and rapidly develop the capacity to synthesize and secrete casein and lipid when grown within a reconstituted basement membrane under defined serum-free conditions. This unique system should thus serve as an excellent model in which the regulation of mammary development and gene expression can be investigated.

Induction of the endogenous whey acidic protein (Wap) gene and a Wap-myc hybrid gene in primary murine mammary organoids

In rodents, the whey acidic protein (Wap) is the major whey protein expressed in mammary glands in response to lactogenic hormones. The regulation of the Wap gene differs from that of other milk protein genes, with one consequence being that little or no Wap expression is detectable in cell culture. Here we describe the efficient in vitro induction of the Wap gene in mammary organoids isolated from midpregnant mice. Mammary organoids were isolated as intact epithelial subcomponents which retained the glandular microarchitecture. If organoids were cultured in contact with a monolayer of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, significant levels of Wap mRNA were induced upon hormonal stimulation, with the highest level of Wap mRNA being induced by a combination of hydrocortisone, prolactin, and insulin. Dissociation of the three-dimensional organization abrogated Wap inducibility. Organoids cultured on plastic or hydrated type I collagen did not transcribe Wap mRNA even after hormonal stimulation. Addition of hormones was required to maintain low levels of Wap mRNA in organoids cultured on reconstituted basement membrane, however, Wap mRNA was not induced. Organoid-adipocyte interactions as well as cell-cell interactions inherent in the structure of organoids promote hormone-dependent Wap mRNA expression. In order to study the Wap promoter region in vitro, we cocultured organoids from transgenic mice harboring a chimeric Wap-myc gene with 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Lactogenic hormones induced the Wap-myc transgene in vitro. The kinetics of induction were similar for both the transgene and the endogenous Wap gene indicating that the 2.5-kb regulatory Wap region present in the hybrid gene contains the sequence elements required for hormone-induced gene expression in vitro.

Tissue-specific, high level expression of the rat whey acidic protein gene in transgenic mice

The importance of intragenic and 3' flanking sequences in the control of the temporal, hormonal and tissue-specific expression of milk whey acidic protein (WAP) has been demonstrated in transgenic mice. Mouse lines carrying a 4.3 kb genomic clone containing the entire rat WAP gene minus 200 bp of the first intron with 0.949 kb of 5' and 1.4 kb of 3' flanking DNA were generated. In eight of nine independent lines of mice analyzed, WAP transgene expression was detected at levels ranging from 1% to 95% (average, 27%) of the endogenous gene. The transgene was expressed preferentially in the mammary gland. Although developmentally regulated during pregnancy and lactation, the temporal pattern of WAP transgene expression differed from the endogenous gene. A precocious increase in expression of the transgene was detected at 7 days of pregnancy, several days earlier in pregnancy than the major increase observed in endogenous mouse WAP mRNA. The rat WAP transgene was translated and secreted into the milk of transgenic mice at levels comparable to the endogenous mouse WAP. This is the first report of a gene that is negatively regulated in dissociated cell cultures as well as in transfected cells, yet is expressed efficiently in the correct multicellular environment of the transgenic mouse.

Transfection of beta-casein chimeric gene and hormonal induction of its expression in primary murine mammary epithelial cells

To study the regulatory sequence elements responsible for casein gene expression, we constructed a chimeric gene containing 5.3 kilobases (kb) of the 5'-flanking sequence and 1.6 kb of the 3'-flanking sequence of the mouse beta-casein gene fused to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CAT) gene. The chimeric gene was transfected by the calcium phosphate-precipitation procedure into primary mouse mammary epithelial cells prepared from pregnant mice. The transfection procedure had negligible effect on expression of the endogenous beta-casein gene. Expression of the beta-casein-CAT chimeric gene required the synergistic actions of insulin, hydrocortisone, and prolactin. Expression of the chimeric gene also depended on the appropriate substratum because the degree of hormonal induction of the chimeric gene was much higher in cells cultured on a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) than in cells cultured on either type I collagen gel or plastic. On the other hand, the expression of a simian virus 40-CAT chimeric gene in which the CAT gene was driven by the early promoter of the virus was not influenced by the hormonal milieu and occurred at the highest level in cells cultured on plastic. Additional transfection experiments with a series of beta-casein-CAT constructs suggested the existence of regulatory elements responsible for hormonal induction and negative regulatory elements.

Established mouse liver cell lines as a model system for studying epithelio-mesenchymal interactions in morphogenesis

Four cell lines were established from both fetal and adult livers of mice (ddY strain) by colony isolation methods, and these were characterized by morphological, immunological and biochemical examination. An epithelial cell line from a fetus (eE1-10) was identified to be derived from the biliary tract epithelium. Another epithelial cell line from an adult (aE3) reconstructed bile canaliculi-like structures in aggregates and secreted several serum proteins, indicating that it was derived from the hepatic parenchyma. The other two lines (eF1 and aF1) are fibroblastic in morphology. These were derived from fetal and adult livers, respectively. Both eE1-10 and the fetal fibroblastic cell line (eF1) are hypotetraploid, whereas both aE3 and the adult fibroblastic cell line (aF1) are hypodiploid. All four cell lines showed both contact inhibition and anchorage dependency of growth. Luminal structures with basal laminar, similar to bile ducts, were reconstituted from eE1-10 cells when co-aggregated with aF1 fibroblastic cells. Luminal structures were also formed from eE1-10 cells embedded in collagen gel. These, however, had no basal lamina and there was less development of microvilli than in aggregates mixed with fibroblastic cells. These results indicate that the fibroblastic cells afford favourable conditions for maintenance of the elaborated luminal structure of epithelial cells through production of the basal lamina.

Expression of extracellular matrix components is regulated by substratum

Reconstituted basement membranes and extracellular matrices have been demonstrated to affect, positively and dramatically, the production of milk proteins in cultured mammary epithelial cells. Here we show that both the expression and the deposition of extracellular matrix components themselves are regulated by substratum. The steady-state levels of the laminin, type IV collagen, and fibronectin mRNAs in mammary epithelial cells cultured on plastic dishes and on type I collagen gels have been examined, as has the ability of these cells to synthesize, secrete, and deposit laminin and other, extracellular matrix proteins. We demonstrate de novo synthesis of a basement membrane by cells cultured on type I collagen gels which have been floated into the medium. Expression of the mRNA and proteins of basement membranes, however, are quite low in these cultures. In contrast, the levels of laminin, type IV collagen, and fibronectin mRNAs are highest in cells cultured on plastic surfaces, where no basement membrane is deposited. It is suggested that the interaction between epithelial cells and both basement membrane and stromally derived matrices exerts a negative influence on the expression of mRNA for extracellular matrix components. In addition, we show that the capacity for lactational differentiation correlates with conditions that favor the deposition of a continuous basement membrane, and argue that the interaction between specialized epithelial cells and stroma enables them to create their own microenvironment for accurate signal transduction and phenotypic function.

Intrinsic differences in the transplantability and outgrowth potential of DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors

Only a small proportion of DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors are transplantable in cleared (gland-free) mammary fat pads. To enhance their transplantability, several host factors were modified: age, parity, hormone levels, and tissue integrity of the fat pad. Our 2 important findings were that (1) there were individual differences between the tumors in their transplantability and potential to proliferate normal and hyperplastic outgrowths, and (2) these differences were determined by their inherent potential and not by their environment. These intrinsic differences among the tumors are consistent with the concept that properties of a given type of tumor are independently variable.

Differential regulation of rat beta-casein-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion gene expression in transgenic mice

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated the mammary-specific expression of the entire rat beta-casein gene with 3.5 kilobases (kb) of 5' and 3.0 kb of 3' DNA in transgenic mice (Lee et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:1027-1041, 1988). In an attempt to localize sequences that dictate this specificity, lines of transgenic mice carrying two different rat beta-casein promoter-bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) fusion genes have been established. Twenty and eight lines of transgenic mice carrying two fusion genes containing either 2.3 or 0.5 kb, respectively, of 5'-flanking DNA of the rat beta-casein gene along with noncoding exon I and 0.5 kb of intron A were identified, most of which transmitted the transgenes to their offspring in a Mendelian pattern. CAT activity was detected predominantly in the lactating mammary gland of female transgenic mice but not in the male mammary fat pad. A several-hundred-fold variation in the level of cat expression was observed in the mammary gland of different lines of mice, presumably due to the site of integration of the transgenes. CAT activity was increased in the mammary gland during development from virgin to midpregnancy and lactation. Unexpectedly, the casein-cat transgenes were also expressed in the thymus of different lines of both male and female mice, in some cases at levels equivalent to those observed in the mammary gland, and in contrast to the mammary gland, CAT activity was decreased during pregnancy and lactation in the thymus. Thus, 0.5 kb of 5'-flanking DNA of the rat beta-casein gene along with noncoding exon I and 0.5 kb of intron A are sufficient to target bacterial cat gene expression to the mammary gland of lactating mice.

New mammary epithelial and fibroblastic cell clones in coculture form structures competent to differentiate functionally

We have established and characterized a spontaneously immortalized, nontumorigenic mouse mammary cell line, designated IM-2. IM-2 cells synthesize large amounts of the milk protein beta-casein upon addition of lactogenic hormones. The induction of beta-casein occurs rapidly and does not require any exogenous extracellular matrix components. The IM-2 cell line is morphologically heterogeneous and could be separated into cell clones with epithelial and fibroblastic characteristics. In monoculture, none of the epithelial clones could be induced to synthesize caseins. Coculture of epithelial and fibroblastic clones, however, rendered the epithelial cells competent to differentiate functionally; the addition of lactogenic hormones to these cocultures resulted in the synthesis of beta-casein in amounts comparable to that seen with the original IM-2 line. Using this unique cell system, we have investigated the interrelationships between different steps in differentiation leading to hormone-induced casein production. Independent of hormones, epithelial-fibroblastic cell contacts led to the formation of characteristic structures showing the deposition of laminin. We found that the epithelial cells located in these structures also exhibited significantly increased levels of cytokeratin intermediate filament polypeptides. Double immunofluorescence revealed that the cells inducible by hormones to synthesize casein, colocalized exactly with the areas of laminin deposition and with the cells showing greatly intensified cytokeratin expression. These results suggest that hormone-independent differentiation events take place in response to intercellular epithelial-mesenchymal contacts. These events in turn bring about a state of competence for functional differentiation after lactogenic hormonal stimulation.

Differential regulation of rat beta-casein-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion gene expression in transgenic mice

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated the mammary-specific expression of the entire rat beta-casein gene with 3.5 kilobases (kb) of 5' and 3.0 kb of 3' DNA in transgenic mice (Lee et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:1027-1041, 1988). In an attempt to localize sequences that dictate this specificity, lines of transgenic mice carrying two different rat beta-casein promoter-bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) fusion genes have been established. Twenty and eight lines of transgenic mice carrying two fusion genes containing either 2.3 or 0.5 kb, respectively, of 5'-flanking DNA of the rat beta-casein gene along with noncoding exon I and 0.5 kb of intron A were identified, most of which transmitted the transgenes to their offspring in a Mendelian pattern. CAT activity was detected predominantly in the lactating mammary gland of female transgenic mice but not in the male mammary fat pad. A several-hundred-fold variation in the level of cat expression was observed in the mammary gland of different lines of mice, presumably due to the site of integration of the transgenes. CAT activity was increased in the mammary gland during development from virgin to midpregnancy and lactation. Unexpectedly, the casein-cat transgenes were also expressed in the thymus of different lines of both male and female mice, in some cases at levels equivalent to those observed in the mammary gland, and in contrast to the mammary gland, CAT activity was decreased during pregnancy and lactation in the thymus. Thus, 0.5 kb of 5'-flanking DNA of the rat beta-casein gene along with noncoding exon I and 0.5 kb of intron A are sufficient to target bacterial cat gene expression to the mammary gland of lactating mice.

Casein gene expression in bovine mammary gland

The objectives were to examine the rate of synthesis of casein mRNA transcripts in bovine mammary tissue at different hormonal states and to study the effects of hormonal stimuli (insulin, hydrocortisone, and prolactin) on the accumulation of casein mRNA and on the rate of protein secretion by epithelial cells from bovine mammary tissues. Total cytoplasmic RNA was extracted from mammary tissues of cows obtained by biopsy (8 mo pregnant) and upon slaughter (lactating). The relative specific activities of cytoplasmic mRNA for alpha s1-, alpha s2-, beta-, and kappa-casein were about 3.2, 4.6, 3.3, and 4.5-fold higher in tissues of lactating cows than in those of 8 mo pregnant cows. Mammary alveolar epithelial cells retained hormone-inducible milk protein gene expression for total milk protein gene expression for total milk protein secretion and for alpha s1- and beta-casein messages. Prolactin, even in the absence of insulin and hydrocortisone, induced significant amounts of milk protein mRNA. Hydrocortisone in the presence of prolactin amplified the lactogenic effects on mammary epithelium. Maximal induction of beta-casein mRNA and protein secretion occurred when all three hormones were present.

Substratum modulation of epidermal growth factor receptor expression by normal mouse mammary cells

Normal mouse mammary cells synthesize the basement membrane scaffold on which the cells rest in vivo. This extracellular matrix material serves important functions in the growth and differentiation of the mammary epithelium. Components of the basement membrane negatively regulate basement membrane collagen biosynthesis in response to epidermal growth factor stimulation. This effect is shown to correlate with changes in growth factor receptor regeneration following ligand-induced receptor down-regulation. The results suggest that while control of basement membrane synthesis may be manifest in part by the availability of growth factors, the environment in which the mammary cell finds itself is also very important.

Tissue-specific expression of the rat beta-casein gene in transgenic mice

The rat beta-casein gene is a member of a small gene family, encoding the principal milk proteins. In order to understand the mechanisms by which its stage- and tissue-specific expression are regulated, initially, a 14 kb genomic clone containing the entire 7.5 kb rat beta-casein gene with 3.5 kb of 5' and 3.0 kb of 3' flanking DNA was microinjected into the germline of mice. Eight F0 transgenic mice were generated with copy numbers ranging from 1-10; five transmitted the transgene to their offspring in a Mendelian pattern. A specific RNase protection assay was developed to quantitate the level of expression of the rat beta-casein transgene as compared to the endogenous mouse beta-casein gene. Using this assay expression was demonstrated predominantly in the lactating mammary gland of transgenic mice at a level of 0.01-1% of the endogenous mouse beta-casein gene. The transgene employed the authentic transcription initiation site observed previously in the analogous rat beta-casein gene. In one line, a reduced level of expression of the transgene was also observed in the brain. The site of integration, therefore, plays an important role in influencing the level of expression of the transgene, but not its general pattern of tissue-specificity. The transgene appears to be developmentally-regulated in accordance with the endogenous mouse beta-casein gene. These lines of mice generated carrying the rat beta-casein transgene should provide useful models for studying the developmental and hormonal regulation of milk protein gene expression.

Linoleic acid, but not cortisol, stimulates accumulation of casein by mouse mammary epithelial cells in serum-free collagen gel culture

A two-step culture system has been developed to analyze the role of hormones in casein accumulation by mammary epithelial cells obtained from adrenalectomized and ovariectomized adult virgin mice. In the first step cells are grown inside collagen gel in medium containing insulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and linoleic acid for 9 days; these conditions stimulate very little casein accumulation. Following this growth phase the gels are released to float in medium containing insulin, prolactin, and linoleic acid. During this second phase the mammary cells will accumulate large amounts of casein, but only in the simultaneous presence of insulin, prolactin, and linoleic acid; in the absence of linoleic acid casein accumulation is greatly reduced. The casein accumulation is not dependent on the presence of the glucocorticoid cortisol and will occur in spite of the presence of the antiglucocorticoid agent RU 38 486. To determine if the response to cortisol observed in organ culture by other investigators might be mediated by stromal cells, epithelial cells were grown in collagen gel under fatty acid-free conditions and then cocultured with explants of mammary fat pads from adult virgin mice with or without mammary parenchyma. The cocultures were performed in fatty acid-free medium containing insulin and prolactin with or without cortisol. In the majority of experiments the mammary epithelial cells in the collagen gel accumulate more casein in the presence of cortisol than in its absence, irrespective of the presence of mammary parenchyma in the explant. Thus, mammary epithelial cells are directly dependent on insulin and prolactin for casein accumulation and indirectly dependent on cortisol by means of its effect on the stromal cells. This cortisol effect may be to cause release into the medium of linoleic acid or a metabolic product of linoleic acid from the stromal cells.