Postnatal mammary gland development requires macrophages and eosinophils

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (11) ◽  
pp. 2269-2282 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Gouon-Evans ◽  
M.E. Rothenberg ◽  
J.W. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Postnatal Development ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Null Mutation ◽  
Eosinophil Recruitment ◽  
Terminal End Buds ◽  
Branch Formation ◽  
Local Recruitment

Interactions between mammary epithelial and mesenchymal cells including fibroblasts and adipocytes are crucial for the proper postnatal development of the mammary ductal tree. Often overlooked, however, are the migrant cells that enter tissues at different stages of development. In this paper we identify two such cell types, macrophages and eosinophils, that are recruited around the growing terminal end buds (TEBs) during postnatal development. An important role for leukocytes in mammary gland ductal outgrowth is first demonstrated by depleting mice of leukocytes using sub-lethal (gamma)-irradiation. This treatment results in a curtailment of mammary gland epithelial development that is completely rescued by bone-marrow transplantation, concurrent with a restoration of macrophage and eosinophil recruitment around the growing ducts. Using mice homozygous for a null mutation in the gene for CSF1 (Csfm(op)/Csfm(op)), the major growth factor for macrophages, we show that in the absence of CSF1, the population of macrophages in mammary glands is depleted. In this mutant, the formation of TEBs, their outgrowth into the fat pad and the branching of the resultant ducts are all impaired. Similarly, by using mice homozygous for a null mutation in the gene for eotaxin, a major chemokine for local recruitment of eosinophils in tissue, we identify eotaxin as the necessary and sufficient chemokine responsible for eosinophil recruitment around TEBs. In the absence of eosinophils, mammary gland branch formation and to a lesser extent TEB formation are reduced. Our data show that CSF1-regulated macrophages, in collaboration with eotaxin-regulated eosinophils, have essential and complementary functions in regulating the branching morphogenesis of the mammary gland.

scholarly journals The LIM Domain Protein Lmo4 Is Highly Expressed in Proliferating Mouse Epithelial Tissues

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Y.M. Sum ◽  
Lorraine A. O'Reilly ◽  
Nadeen Jonas ◽  
Geoffrey J. Lindeman ◽  
Jane E. Visvader
Keyword(s):  
Small Intestine ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Basal Cells ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Terminal End Buds ◽  
Mouse Tissues ◽  
Important Regulator

LMO4 belongs to the LIM-only family of zinc finger proteins that have been implicated in oncogenesis. The LMO4 gene is overexpressed in breast cancer and oral cavity carcinomas, and high levels of this protein inhibit mammary epithelial differentiation. Targeted deletion of Lmo4 in mice leads to complex phenotypic abnormalities and perinatal lethality. To further understand the role of LMO4, we have characterized Lmo4 expression in adult mouse tissues by immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal anti-Lmo4 antibodies. Lmo4 was highly expressed within specific cell types in diverse tissues. Expression was prevalent in epithelial-derived tissues, including the mammary gland, tongue, skin, small intestine, lung, and brain. High levels of Lmo4 were frequently observed in proliferating cells, such as the crypt cells of the small intestine and the basal cells of the skin and tongue. Lmo4 was highly expressed in the proliferative cap cell layer of the terminal end buds in the peripubertal mammary gland and in the lobuloalveolar units during pregnancy. The expression profile of Lmo4 suggests that this cofactor is an important regulator of epithelial proliferation and has implications for its role in the pathogenicity of cancer.

scholarly journals Steroid Receptor Coactivator 2 is Required for Female Fertility and Mammary Morphogenesis: Insights from the Mouse, Relevance to the Human

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. nrs.05011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atish Mukherjee ◽  
Paula Amato ◽  
D. Craig Allred ◽  
Francesco J. DeMayo ◽  
John P. Lydon
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Gene Knockout ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Steroid Receptor ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Steroid Receptor Coactivator ◽  
Female Reproductive Health

Although the importance of the progesterone receptor (PR) to female reproductive and mammary gland biology is firmly established, the coregulators selectively co-opted by PR in these systems have not been clearly delineated. A selective gene-knockout approach applied to the mouse, which abrogates gene function only in cell types that express PR, recently disclosed steroid receptor coactivator 2 (SRC-2, also known as TIF-2 or GRIP-1) to be an indispensable coregulator for uterine and mammary gland responses that require progesterone. Uterine cells positive for PR (but devoid of SRC-2) were found to be incapable of facilitating embryo implantation, a necessary first step toward the establishment of the materno-fetal interface. Importantly, such an implantation defect is not exhibited by knockouts for SRC-1 or SRC-3, underscoring the unique coregulator importance of SRC-2 in peri-implantation biology. Moreover, despite normal levels of PR, SRC-1 and SRC-3, progesterone-dependent branching morphogenesis and alveologenesis fails to occur in the murine mammary gland in the absence of SRC-2, thereby establishing a critical coregulator role for SRC-2 in signaling cascades that mediate progesterone-induced mammary epithelial proliferation. Finally, the recent detection of SRC-2 in the human endometrium and breast suggests that this coregulator may represent a new clinical target for the future management of female reproductive health and/or breast cancer.

scholarly journals The interplay of matrix metalloproteinases, morphogens and growth factors is necessary for branching of mammary epithelial cells

Development ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 128 (16) ◽  
pp. 3117-3131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Simian ◽  
Yohei Hirai ◽  
Marc Navre ◽  
Zena Werb ◽  
Andre Lochter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Growth Factors ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽  
Mammary Epithelial Cell ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Fibroblast Growth

The mammary gland develops its adult form by a process referred to as branching morphogenesis. Many factors have been reported to affect this process. We have used cultured primary mammary epithelial organoids and mammary epithelial cell lines in three-dimensional collagen gels to elucidate which growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and mammary morphogens interact in branching morphogenesis. Branching stimulated by stromal fibroblasts, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 7, fibroblast growth factor 2 and hepatocyte growth factor was strongly reduced by inhibitors of MMPs, indicating the requirement of MMPs for three-dimensional growth involved in morphogenesis. Recombinant stromelysin 1/MMP3 alone was sufficient to drive branching in the absence of growth factors in the organoids. Plasmin also stimulated branching; however, plasmin-dependent branching was abolished by both inhibitors of plasmin and MMPs, suggesting that plasmin activates MMPs. To differentiate between signals for proliferation and morphogenesis, we used a cloned mammary epithelial cell line that lacks epimorphin, an essential mammary morphogen. Both epimorphin and MMPs were required for morphogenesis, but neither was required for epithelial cell proliferation. These results provide direct evidence for a crucial role of MMPs in branching in mammary epithelium and suggest that, in addition to epimorphin, MMP activity is a minimum requirement for branching morphogenesis in the mammary gland.

scholarly journals Site-specific inductive and inhibitory activities of MMP-2 and MMP-3 orchestrate mammary gland branching morphogenesis

2003 ◽  
Vol 162 (6) ◽  
pp. 1123-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryony S. Wiseman ◽  
Mark D. Sternlicht ◽  
Leif R. Lund ◽  
Caroline M. Alexander ◽  
Joni Mott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Fat Pad ◽  
Point Selection ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Lateral Branching ◽  
Mammary Fat Pad ◽  
Epithelial Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Inhibitory Activities

During puberty, mouse mammary epithelial ducts invade the stromal mammary fat pad in a wave of branching morphogenesis to form a complex ductal tree. Using pharmacologic and genetic approaches, we find that mammary gland branching morphogenesis requires transient matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity for invasion and branch point selection. MMP-2, but not MMP-9, facilitates terminal end bud invasion by inhibiting epithelial cell apoptosis at the start of puberty. Unexpectedly, MMP-2 also represses precocious lateral branching during mid-puberty. In contrast, MMP-3 induces secondary and tertiary lateral branching of ducts during mid-puberty and early pregnancy. Nevertheless, the mammary gland is able to develop lactational competence in MMP mutant mice. Thus, specific MMPs refine the mammary branching pattern by distinct mechanisms during mammary gland branching morphogenesis.

The EGF-CFC family: novel epidermal growth factor-related proteins in development and cancer.

2000 ◽  
pp. 199-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
D S Saloman ◽  
C Bianco ◽  
A D Ebert ◽  
N I Khan ◽  
M De Santis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mammary Epithelial Cells ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Related Proteins

The EGF-CFC gene family encodes a group of structurally related proteins that serve as important competence factors during early embryogenesis in Xenopus, zebrafish, mice and humans. This multigene family consists of Xenopus FRL-1, zebrafish one-eyed-pinhead (oep), mouse cripto (Cr-1) and cryptic, and human cripto (CR-1) and criptin. FRL-1, oep and mouse cripto are essential for the formation of mesoderm and endoderm and for correct establishment of the anterior/posterior axis. In addition, oep and cryptic are important for the establishment of left-right (L/R) asymmetry. In zebrafish, there is strong genetic evidence that oep functions as an obligatory co-factor for the correct signaling of a transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta)-related gene, nodal, during gastrulation and during L/R asymmetry development. Expression of Cr-1 and cryptic is extinguished in the embryo after day 8 of gestation except for the developing heart where Cr-1 expression is necessary for myocardial development. In the mouse, cryptic is not expressed in adult tissues whereas Cr-1 is expressed at a low level in several different tissues including the mammary gland. In the mammary gland, expression of Cr-1 in the ductal epithelial cells increases during pregnancy and lactation and immunoreactive and biologically active Cr-1 protein can be detected in human milk. Overexpression of Cr-1 in mouse mammary epithelial cells can facilitate their in vitro transformation and in vivo these Cr-1-transduced cells produce ductal hyperplasias in the mammary gland. Recombinant mouse or human cripto can enhance cell motility and branching morphogenesis in mammary epithelial cells and in some human tumor cells. These effects are accompanied by an epithelial-mesenchymal transition which is associated with a decrease in beta-catenin function and an increase in vimentin expression. Expression of cripto is increased several-fold in human colon, gastric, pancreatic and lung carcinomas and in a variety of different types of mouse and human breast carcinomas. More importantly, this increase can first be detected in premalignant lesions in some of these tissues. Although a specific receptor for the EGF-CFC proteins has not yet been identified, oep depends upon an activin-type RIIB and RIB receptor system that functions through Smad-2. Mouse and human cripto have been shown to activate a ras/raf/MAP kinase signaling pathway in mammary epithelial cells. Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt are also important for the ability of CR-1 to stimulate cell migration and to block lactogenic hormone-induced expression of beta-casein and whey acidic protein. In mammary epithelial cells, part of these responses may depend on the ability of CR-1 to transactivate erb B-4 and/or fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 through an src-like tyrosine kinase.

Rescue of the parathyroid hormone-related protein knockout mouse demonstrates that parathyroid hormone-related protein is essential for mammary gland development

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (7) ◽  
pp. 1285-1294 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.J. Wysolmerski ◽  
W.M. Philbrick ◽  
M.E. Dunbar ◽  
B. Lanske ◽  
H. Kronenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Parathyroid Hormone ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mammary Epithelial Cells ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Transgenic Expression ◽  
Parathyroid Hormone Related Protein ◽  
Pthrp Receptor

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) was originally discovered as a tumor product that causes humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. PTHrP is now known to be widely expressed in normal tissues and growing evidence suggests that it is an important developmental regulatory molecule. We had previously reported that overexpression of PTHrP in the mammary glands of transgenic mice impaired branching morphogenesis during sexual maturity and early pregnancy. We now demonstrate that PTHrP plays a critical role in the epithelial-mesenchymal communications that guide the initial round of branching morphogenesis that occurs during the embryonic development of the mammary gland. We have rescued the PTHrP-knockout mice from neonatal death by transgenic expression of PTHrP targeted to chondrocytes. These rescued mice are devoid of mammary epithelial ducts. We show that disruption of the PTHrP gene leads to a failure of the initial round of branching growth that is responsible for transforming the mammary bud into the rudimentary mammary duct system. In the absence of PTHrP, the mammary epithelial cells degenerate and disappear. The ability of PTHrP to support embryonic mammary development is a function of amino-terminal PTHrP, acting via the PTH/PTHrP receptor, for ablation of the PTH/PTHrP receptor gene recapitulates the phenotype of PTHrP gene ablation. We have localized PTHrP expression to the embryonic mammary epithelial cells and PTH/PTHrP receptor expression to the mammary mesenchyme using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Finally, we have rescued mammary gland development in PTHrP-null animals by transgenic expression of PTHrP in embryonic mammary epithelial cells. We conclude that PTHrP is a critical epithelial signal received by the mammary mesenchyme and involved in supporting the initiation of branching morphogenesis.

scholarly journals Regulation of Mammary Gland Branching Morphogenesis by EphA2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2572-2581 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Vaught ◽  
Jin Chen ◽  
Dana M. Brantley-Sieders
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Mammary Gland Development ◽  
Mammary Epithelium ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Mammary Tissue ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Epithelial Proliferation ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Gland Development

Eph receptor tyrosine kinases, including EphA2, are expressed in the mammary gland. However, their role in mammary gland development remains poorly understood. Using EphA2-deficient animals, we demonstrate for the first time that EphA2 receptor function is required for mammary epithelial growth and branching morphogenesis. Loss of EphA2 decreased penetration of mammary epithelium into fat pad, reduced epithelial proliferation, and inhibited epithelial branching. These defects appear to be intrinsic to loss of EphA2 in epithelium, as transplantation of EphA2-deficient mammary tissue into wild-type recipient stroma recapitulated these defects. In addition, HGF-induced mammary epithelial branching morphogenesis was significantly reduced in EphA2-deficient cells relative to wild-type cells, which correlated with elevated basal RhoA activity. Moreover, inhibition of ROCK kinase activity in EphA2-deficient mammary epithelium rescued branching defects in primary three-dimensional cultures. These results suggest that EphA2 receptor acts as a positive regulator in mammary gland development, functioning downstream of HGF to regulate branching through inhibition of RhoA. Together, these data demonstrate a positive role for EphA2 during normal mammary epithelial proliferation and branching morphogenesis.

scholarly journals Understanding mammary gland functioning in livestock species using in-vitro mammary epithelial cells model -An overview

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 160-168
Author(s):  
M Mukesh ◽  
Umesh Kumar Shandilya ◽  
Monika Sodhi ◽  
Ankita Sharma ◽  
Neha Kapila
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
In Vitro Model ◽  
Mammary Epithelial Cells ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Livestock Species ◽  
Vitro Model

Understanding the mechanisms of the development of the mammary gland can increase the efficiency of milk production, as well as improve animal health. Mammary epithelial cells (MEC) are the functional unit of the mammary gland. Although, there is a well-established MEC cell line, known as MAC-T, the use of a primary cell line is preferred because it more closely mimics an in vivo model. This review focuses on utilization of MECs as a potential in vitro model to better understand mammary gland functions in livestock species. Recently, considerable advances in three dimensional modeling of the mammary gland have been made with the used of extracellular matrix for the study of branching morphogenesis which may enable rapid advances in our understanding of mammary gland biology. Progress in the exploitation of MECs as in vitro model is more productive than ever, however further research is vital.    

scholarly journals Epimorphin Functions as a Key Morphoregulator for Mammary Epithelial Cells

1998 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohei Hirai ◽  
André Lochter ◽  
Sybille Galosy ◽  
Shogo Koshida ◽  
Shinichiro Niwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Growth Factors ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mammary Epithelial Cells ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mammary Epithelial ◽  
Collagen Gels ◽  
Stromal Compartment

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and EGF have been reported to promote branching morphogenesis of mammary epithelial cells. We now show that it is epimorphin that is primarily responsible for this phenomenon. In vivo, epimorphin was detected in the stromal compartment but not in lumenal epithelial cells of the mammary gland; in culture, however, a subpopulation of mammary epithelial cells produced significant amounts of epimorphin. When epimorphin-expressing epithelial cell clones were cultured in collagen gels they displayed branching morphogenesis in the presence of HGF, EGF, keratinocyte growth factor, or fibroblast growth factor, a process that was inhibited by anti-epimorphin but not anti-HGF antibodies. The branch length, however, was roughly proportional to the ability of the factors to induce growth. Accordingly, epimorphin-negative epithelial cells simply grew in a cluster in response to the growth factors and failed to branch. When recombinant epimorphin was added to these collagen gels, epimorphin-negative cells underwent branching morphogenesis. The mode of action of epimorphin on morphogenesis of the gland, however, was dependent on how it was presented to the mammary cells. If epimorphin was overexpressed in epimorphin-negative epithelial cells under regulation of an inducible promoter or was allowed to coat the surface of each epithelial cell in a nonpolar fashion, the cells formed globular, alveoli-like structures with a large central lumen instead of branching ducts. This process was enhanced also by addition of HGF, EGF, or other growth factors and was inhibited by epimorphin antibodies. These results suggest that epimorphin is the primary morphogen in the mammary gland but that growth factors are necessary to achieve the appropriate cell numbers for the resulting morphogenesis to be visualized.

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