Reconstitution of Mammary Epithelial Morphogenesis by Murine Embryonic Stem Cells Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation

Background

Mammary stem cells are maintained within specific microenvironments and recruited throughout lifetime to reconstitute de novo the mammary gland. Mammary stem cells have been isolated through the identification of specific cell surface markers and in vivo transplantation into cleared mammary fat pads. Accumulating evidence showed that during the reformation of mammary stem cell niches by dispersed epithelial cells in the context of the intact epithelium-free mammary stroma, non-mammary epithelial cells may be sequestered and reprogrammed to perform mammary epithelial cell functions and to adopt mammary epithelial characteristics during reconstruction of mammary epithelium in regenerating mammary tissue in vivo.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To examine whether other types of progenitor cells are able to contribute to mammary branching morphogenesis, we examined the potential of murine embryonic stem (mES) cells, undergoing hematopoietic differentiation, to support mammary reconstitution in vivo. We observed that cells from day 14 embryoid bodies (EBs) under hematopoietic differentiation condition, but not supernatants derived from these cells, when transplanted into denuded mammary fat pads, were able to contribute to both the luminal and myoepithelial lineages in branching ductal structures resembling the ductal-alveolar architecture of the mammary tree. No teratomas were observed when these cells were transplanted in vivo.

Conclusions/Significance

Our data provide evidence for the dominance of the tissue-specific mammary stem cell niche and its role in directing mES cells, undergoing hematopoietic differentiation, to reprogram into mammary epithelial cells and to promote mammary epithelial morphogenesis. These studies should also provide insights into regeneration of damaged mammary gland and the role of the mammary microenvironment in reprogramming cell fate.     

Clonal characterization of mouse mammary luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting

Summary Lineage analysis in vitro of heterogeneous tissues such as mammary epithelium requires the separation of constituent cell types and their growth as clones. The separation of virgin mouse mammary luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells by fluorescence-activated cell-sorting, their growth at clonal density, and the phenotyping of the clones obtained with cell-type specific markers are described in this paper. Epithelial cells were isolated by collagenase digestion followed by trypsinization, and the luminal and myoepithelial cells were flow-sorted with the rat monoclonal antibodies 33A10 and JB6, respectively. Sorted cells were cloned under, using low oxygen conditions (<5% vol/vol), in medium containing cholera toxin and insulin, with an irradiated feeder layer of 3T3-L1 cells. Clones were characterized morphologically, and antigenically by multiple immunofluorescence with a panel of antibodies to cytoskeletal antigens specific to either luminal epithelial or myoepithelial cells in situ. Whereas sorted myoepithelial cells gave a single clone type, sorted luminal cells gave three morphological clone types, two of which grew rapidly. All myoepithelially derived clones showed a limited proliferative capacity in vitro, in contrast to their rat and human counterparts, as shown in previous studies. The present results with sorted mouse cells have also allowed the stability of the differentiated phenotype in mouse, rat, and human mammary luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells in primary clonal culture to be compared. They show that the mouse mammary cells are the least stable in terms of expression of differentiation-specific cytoskeletal markers in vitro.     

Embryonic Stem Cells Are Redirected to Non-Tumorigenic Epithelial Cell Fate by Interaction with the Mammary Microenvironment

Experiments were conducted to redirect mouse Embryonic Stem (ES) cells from a tumorigenic phenotype to a normal mammary epithelial phenotype in vivo. Mixing LacZ-labeled ES cells with normal mouse mammary epithelial cells at ratios of 1∶5 and 1∶50 in phosphate buffered saline and immediately inoculating them into epithelium-divested mammary fat pads of immune-compromised mice accomplished this. Our results indicate that tumorigenesis occurs only when normal mammary ductal growth is not achieved in the inoculated fat pads. When normal mammary gland growth occurs, we find ES cells (LacZ+) progeny interspersed with normal mammary cell progeny in the mammary epithelial structures. We demonstrate that these progeny, marked by LacZ expression, differentiate into multiple epithelial subtypes including steroid receptor positive luminal cells and myoepithelial cells indicating that the ES cells are capable of epithelial multipotency in this context but do not form teratomas. In addition, in secondary transplants, ES cell progeny proliferate, contribute apparently normal mammary progeny, maintain their multipotency and do not produce teratomas.     

Rational Molecular Design of Potent PLK1 PBD Domain‐binding Phosphopeptides Using Preferential Amino Acid Building Blocks

Polo‐like kinase 1 (PLK1) is an important regulator in diverse aspects of the cell cycle and proliferation. The protein has a highly conserved polo‐box domain (PBD) present in C‐terminal noncatalytic region, which exhibits a relatively broad sequence specificity in recognizing and binding phosphorylated substrates to control substrate phosphorylation by the kinase. In order to elucidate the structural basis, thermodynamic property, and biological implication underlying PBD‐substrate recognition and association, a systematic amino acid preference profile of phosphopeptide interaction with PLK1 PBD domain was established via virtual mutagenesis analysis and mutation energy calculation, from which the contribution of different amino acids at each residue position of two reference phosphopeptides to domain–peptide binding was characterized comprehensively and quantitatively. With the profile, we are able to determine the favorable, neutral, and unfavorable amino acid types for each position of PBD‐binding phosphopeptides, and we also explored the molecular origin of the broad sequence specificity in PBD‐substrate recognition. To practice computational findings, the profile was further employed to guide rational design of potent PBD binders; three 6‐mer phosphopeptides (i.e., IQSpSPC, LQSpTPF, and LNSpTPT) were successfully developed, which can efficiently target PBD domain with high affinity (K_d = 5.7 ± 1.1, 0.75 ± 0.18, and 7.2 ± 2.6 μm , resp.) as measured by a fluorescence anisotropy assay. The complex structure of PLK1 PBD domain with a newly designed, potent phosphopeptide LQSpTPF as well as diverse noncovalent chemical forces, such as H‐bonds and hydrophobic interactions at the complex interface, were examined in detail to reveal the molecular mechanism of high affinity and stability of the complex system.     

Control of mammary myoepithelial cell contractile function by α3β1 integrin signalling

In the functionally differentiated mammary gland, basal myoepithelial cells contract to eject the milk produced by luminal epithelial cells from the body. We report that conditional deletion of a laminin receptor, α3β1 integrin, from myoepithelial cells leads to low rates of milk ejection due to a contractility defect but does not interfere with the integrity or functional differentiation of the mammary epithelium. In lactating mammary gland, in the absence of α3β1, focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation is impaired, the Rho/Rac balance is altered and myosin light-chain (MLC) phosphorylation is sustained. Cultured mammary myoepithelial cells depleted of α3β1 contract in response to oxytocin, but are unable to maintain the state of post-contractile relaxation. The expression of constitutively active Rac or its effector p21-activated kinase (PAK), or treatment with MLC kinase (MLCK) inhibitor, rescues the relaxation capacity of mutant cells, strongly suggesting that α3β1-mediated stimulation of the Rac/PAK pathway is required for the inhibition of MLCK activity, permitting completion of the myoepithelial cell contraction/relaxation cycle and successful lactation. This is the first study highlighting the impact of α3β1 integrin signalling on mammary gland function.     

Stem Cell Research: A Novel Boulevard towards Improved Bovine Mastitis Management

The dairy industry is a multi-billion dollar industry catering the nutritional needs of all age groups globally through the supply of milk. Clinical mastitis has a severe impact on udder tissue and is also an animal welfare issue. Moreover, it significantly reduces animal value and milk production. Mammary tissue damage reduces the number and activity of epithelial cells and consequently contributes to decreased milk production. The high incidence, low cure rate of this highly economic and sometimes deadly disease is an alarming for dairy sector as well as policy makers. Bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs) and their stem cells are very important in milk production and bioengineering. The adult mammary epithelium consists of two main cell types; an inner layer of luminal epithelial cells, which produce the milk during lactation, and an outer layer of myoepithelial cells resting on a basement membrane, which are responsible for pushing the milk through the ductal network to the teat cistern. Inner layer of columner/luminal cells of bovine MECs, is characterized by cytokeratin18, 19 (CK18, CK19) and outer layer such as myoepithelial cells which are characterized by CK14, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and p63. Much work has been done in mouse and human, on mammary gland stem cell research, particularly in cancer therapy, but stem cell research in bovine is still in its infancy. Such stem/progenitor cell discoveries in human and mouse mammary gland bring some hope for application in bovines. These progenitors may be therapeutically adopted to correct the structural/cytological defects in the bovine udder due to mastitis. In the present review we focused on various kinds of stem/progenitor cells which can have therapeutic utility and their possibilities to use as a potential stem cell therapy in the management of bovine post-mastitis damage in orders to restore milk production. The possibilities of bovine mammary stem cell therapy offers significant potential for regeneration of tissues that can potentially replace/repair diseased and damaged tissue through differentiation into epithelial, myoepithelial and/or cuboidal/columnar cells in the udder with minimal risk of rejection and side effects.     

The Role of the Microenvironment in Mammary Gland Development and Cancer

The mammary gland is composed of a diverse array of cell types that form intricate interaction networks essential for its normal development and physiologic function. Abnormalities in these interactions play an important role throughout different stages of tumorigenesis. Branching ducts and alveoli are lined by an inner layer of secretory luminal epithelial cells that produce milk during lactation and are surrounded by contractile myoepithelial cells and basement membrane. The surrounding stroma comprised of extracellular matrix and various cell types including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and infiltrating leukocytes not only provides a scaffold for the organ, but also regulates mammary epithelial cell function via paracrine, physical, and hormonal interactions. With rare exceptions breast tumors initiate in the epithelial compartment and in their initial phases are confined to the ducts but this barrier brakes down with invasive progression because of a combination of signals emitted by tumor epithelial and various stromal cells. In this article, we overview the importance of cellular interactions and microenvironmental signals in mammary gland development and cancer.The mammary gland is composed of a combination of multiple cell types that together form complex interaction networks required for the proper development and functioning of the organ. The branching milk ducts are formed by an outer myoepithelial cell layer producing the basement membrane (BM) and an inner luminal epithelial cell layer producing milk during lactation. The ducts are surrounded by the microenvironment composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) and various stromal cell types (e.g., endothelial cells, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and leukocytes). Large amount of data suggest that cell-cell and cell-microenvironment interactions modify the proliferation, survival, polarity, differentiation, and invasive capacity of mammary epithelial cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. The purification and comprehensive characterization of each cell type comprising normal and neoplastic human breast tissue combined with hypothesis testing in cell culture and animal models are likely to improve our understanding of the role these cells play in the normal functioning of the mammary gland and in breast tumorigenesis. In this article, we overview cellular and microenvironmental interactions that play important roles in the normal functioning of the mammary gland and their abnormalities in breast cancer.     

Presence and dynamics of leptin,GLP‐1, and PYY in human breast milk at early postpartum

Objective: The presence of appetite hormones, namely glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1), peptide YY (PYY), and leptin in breast milk may be important in infant feeding regulation and infant growth. This study evaluated whether concentrations of GLP‐1, PYY, and leptin change across a single feeding (from fore‐ to hindmilk), and are associated with maternal and infant anthropometrics. Design and Methods: Thirteen postpartum women (mean ± SD: 25.6 ± 4.5 years, 72.0 ± 11.9 kg) provided fore‐ and hindmilk samples 4‐5 weeks after delivery and underwent measurements of body weight and composition by Dual X‐ray Absorptiometry. GLP‐1, PYY, and leptin concentrations were measured using radioimmunoassay, and milk fat content was determined by creamatocrit. Results: Concentration of GLP‐1 and content of milk fat was higher in hindmilk than foremilk (P ≤ 0.05). PYY and leptin concentrations did not change between fore‐ and hindmilk. Both leptin concentration and milk fat content were correlated with indices of maternal adiposity, including body mass index (r = 0.65‐0.85, P < 0.02), and fat mass (r = 0.65‐0.84, P < 0.02). Hindmilk GLP‐1 was correlated with infant weight gain from birth to 6 months (r = ?0.67, P = 0.034). Conclusion: The presence of appetite hormones in breast milk may be important in infant appetite and growth regulation.     

Parathyroid hormone-related protein is not required for normal ductal or alveolar development in the post-natal mammary gland

PTHrP is necessary for the formation of the embryonic mammary gland and, in its absence, the embryonic mammary bud fails to form the neonatal duct system. In addition, PTHrP is produced by the breast during lactation and contributes to the regulation of maternal calcium homeostasis during milk production. In this study, we examined the role of PTHrP during post-natal mammary development. Using a PTHrP-lacZ transgenic mouse, we surveyed the expression of PTHrP in the developing post-natal mouse mammary gland. We found that PTHrP expression is restricted to the basal cells of the gland during pubertal development and becomes expressed in milk secreting alveolar cells during pregnancy and lactation. Based on the previous findings that overexpression of PTHrP in cap and myoepithelial cells inhibited ductal elongation during puberty, we predicted that ablation of native PTHrP expression in the post-natal gland would result in accelerated ductal development. To address this hypothesis, we generated two conditional models of PTHrP-deficiency specifically targeted to the postnatal mammary gland. We used the MMTV-Cre transgene to ablate the floxed PTHrP gene in both luminal and myoepithelial cells and a tetracycline-regulated K14-tTA;tetO-Cre transgene to target PTHrP expression in just myoepithelial and cap cells. In both models of PTHrP ablation, we found that mammary development proceeds normally despite the absence of PTHrP. We conclude that PTHrP signaling is not required for normal ductal or alveolar development.     

Analysis of gene expressions of embryonic stem‐derived Pdx1‐expressing cells: Implications of genes involved in pancreas differentiation

We have recently reported the method by which embryonic stem (ES) cells were induced into Pdx1‐expressing cells. To gain insights into the ES cell‐derived Pdx1‐expressing cells, we examined gene expression profiles of the cells by microarray experiments. Microarray analyses followed by a comparison with the data of the cells in developing pancreatic and adult islet suggested that the ES cell‐derived Pdx1‐positive cells were immature pancreatic progenitor cells with endodermal characteristics. The analyses of the genes upregulated in the ES cell‐derived Pdx1‐positive cells would give us knowledge on early pancreatic development. Here, we first listed the genes and found that these contained not only those known to be expressed in the endoderm or pancreatic progenitor cells, but also those known to be involved in left–right axis formation. Second, we examined the gene expression patterns and found that several genes were expressed in the ventral foregut lip at the anterior intestinal portal in E8.5 embryo. Given that the Pdx1/GFP‐expressing cells are first observed in the same region at the anterior intestinal portal, these results suggest that the pancreatic progenitor cells first give rise at the ventral endoderm prior to the formation of dorsal and ventral pancreatic buds.     

Derivation of myoepithelial progenitor cells from bipotent mammary stem/progenitor cells

There is increasing evidence that breast and other cancers originate from and are maintained by a small fraction of stem/progenitor cells with self-renewal properties. Recent molecular profiling has identified six major subtypes of breast cancer: basal-like, ErbB2-overexpressing, normal breast epithelial-like, luminal A and B, and claudin-low subtypes. To help understand the relationship among mammary stem/progenitor cells and breast cancer subtypes, we have recently derived distinct hTERT-immortalized human mammary stem/progenitor cell lines: a K5(+)/K19(-) type, and a K5(+)/K19(+) type. Under specific culture conditions, bipotent K5(+)/K19(-) stem/progenitor cells differentiated into stable clonal populations that were K5(-)/K19(-) and exhibit self-renewal and unipotent myoepithelial differentiation potential in contrast to the parental K5(+)/K19(-) cells which are bipotent. These K5(-)/K19(-) cells function as myoepithelial progenitor cells and constitutively express markers of an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and show high invasive and migratory abilities. In addition, these cells express a microarray signature of claudin-low breast cancers. The EMT characteristics of an un-transformed unipotent mammary myoepithelial progenitor cells together with claudin-low signature suggests that the claudin-low breast cancer subtype may arise from myoepithelial lineage committed progenitors. Availability of immortal MPCs should allow a more definitive analysis of their potential to give rise to claudin-low breast cancer subtype and facilitate biological and molecular/biochemical studies of this disease.     

小鼠胚胎干细胞移植入成体大鼠脑内的区域特异性存活与分化

全能区域非特异性的胚胎干细胞是研究成体不同脑区控制干细胞分化能力的十分有力的工具。胚胎干细胞源性神经前体细胞移植入成体脑后可分化为功能性神经元,但是未分化的胚胎干细胞在成体脑内各个部位的存活、生长与分化的潜能差异尚不清楚。本文旨在探讨成体脑组织对胚胎干细胞的影响及胚胎干细胞在成体脑内的一系列行为。将少量转绿色荧光蛋白未分化的小鼠胚胎干细胞移植入成体大鼠脑内不同部位,分别于移植5、14和28d后处死大鼠,进行形态学观察及免疫组化定性,以了解未分化的小鼠胚胎干细胞在大鼠脑内不同区域的存活、生长与分化。结果发现未分化的小鼠胚胎干细胞可逐步整合入受体组织并向nestin阳性神经前体细胞分化。移植细胞及其后裔在海马生长最为旺盛,而在隔区最差（P〈0．01）;移植细胞分化为神经干细胞的效率也是在海马最高,而在隔区最低（P〈0．01）。提示只有部分脑区适合胚胎干细胞及其后裔生存,并提供促进其分化的有益环境。因此,由于位置特异的微环境因子及环境因素的存在,宿主组织特性对决定中枢神经系统疾病的细胞替代疗法策略是相当重要的。     

Synthesis of 3‐Methylidene‐1‐tosyl‐2,3‐dihydroquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones as Potent Cytotoxic Agents

An efficient synthetic strategy to 3‐methylidene‐2,3‐dihydroquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones variously substituted in position 2 has been developed. The title compounds were synthesized in the reaction sequence involving reaction of diethyl methylphosphonate with methyl 2‐(tosylamino)benzoate, condensation of thus formed diethyl 2‐oxo‐2‐(2‐N‐tosylphenyl)ethylphosphonate with various aldehydes followed by successful application of the obtained 3‐(diethoxyphosphoryl)‐1,2‐dihydroquinolin‐4‐ols as Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reagents for the olefination of formaldehyde. Also, enantioselective approach to the target compounds has been evaluated using 3‐dimenthoxyphosphoryl group as a chiral auxiliary. Single X‐ray crystal analysis of (2S)‐3‐(dimenthoxyphosphoryl)‐2‐phenyl‐1‐tosyldihydroquinolin‐4‐ol revealed the presence of strong resonance‐assisted hydrogen bond (RAHB). The obtained 3‐methylidene‐2,3‐dihydroquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones were then tested for their cytotoxic activity against two leukemia cell lines NALM‐6 and HL‐60 and a breast cancer MCF‐7 cell line. All compounds showed very high cytotoxic activity with the IC₅₀ values mostly below 1 μm in all three cancer cell lines. The selected analogs were also tested on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and on human mammary gland/breast cells (MCF‐10A) to evaluate their influence on normal cells. Since one of the most serious problems in cancer chemotherapy is the development of drug resistance, the mRNA levels and activity of ABCB1 transporter considered to be the most important factor engaged in drug resistance, were evaluated in MCF‐7 cells treated with two selected analogs. Both compounds were strong ABCB1 transporter inhibitors that could prevent efflux of anticancer drugs from cancer cells.     

Myoepithelial molecular markers in human breast carcinoma PMC42-LA cells are induced by extracellular matrix and stromal cells

Summary The microenvironment plays a key role in the cellular differentiation of the two main cell lineages of the human breast, luminal epithelial, and myoepithelial. It is not clear, however, how the components of the microenvironment control the development of these cell lineages. To investigate how lineage development is regulated by 3-D culture and microenvironment components, we used the PMC42-LA human breast carcinoma cell line, which possesses stem cell characteristics. When cultured on a two-dimensional glass substrate, PMC42-LA cells formed a monolayer and expressed predominantly luminal epithelial markers, including cytokeratins 8, 18, and 19; E-cadherin; and sialomucin. The key myoepithelial-specific proteins α-smooth muscle actin and cytokeratin 14 were not expressed. When cultured within Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm sarcoma-derived basement membrane matrix (EHS matrix), PMC42-LA cells formed organoids in which the expression of luminal markers was reduced and the expression of other myoepithelial-specific markers (cytokeratin 17 and P-cadherin) was promoted. The presence of primary human mammary gland fibroblasts within the EHS matrix induced expression of the key myoepithelial-specific markers, α-smooth muscle actin and cytokeratin 14. Immortalized human skin fibroblasts were less effective in inducing expression of these key myoepithelial-specific markers. Confocal dual-labeling showed that individual cells expressed luminal or myoepithelial proteins, but not both. Conditioned medium from the mammary fibroblasts was equally effective in inducing myoepithelial marker expression. The results indicate that the myoepithelial lineage is promoted by the extracellular matrix, in conjunction with products secreted by breast-specific fibroblasts. Our results demonstrate a key role for the breast microenvironment in the regulation of breast lineage development.     

Growth and differentiation of progenitor/stem cells derived from the human mammary gland

Estrogen is necessary for the full development of the mammary gland and it is also involved in breast cancer development. We set out to identify and characterise progenitor/stem cells in the human mammary gland and to explore the role of estrogen in their proliferation and differentiation. Three candidate stem cell populations were isolated: double positive (DP) cells co-expressed the luminal and myoepithelial markers, EMA and CALLA, respectively, whereas double negative (DN) cells did not express these cell surface markers; side population (SP) cells were characterised by their differential ability to efflux the dye Hoechst 33342. The ABC transporter, breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) was more highly expressed in SP cells than in non-SP cells and a specific BCRP inhibitor, Ko143, reduced SP formation, suggesting that BCRP confers the SP phenotype in mammary epithelial cells, as has been demonstrated in other tissues. Interestingly, SP cells were double negative for the EMA and CALLA antigens and therefore represent a separate and distinct population to DP cells. Single cell multiplex RT-PCR indicated that the SP and DN cells do not express detectable levels of ERalpha or ERbeta, suggesting that estrogen is not involved in their proliferation. DP cells expressed ERalpha but at a lower level than differentiated luminal cells. These findings invoke a potential strategy for the breast stem/progenitor cells to ignore the mitogenic effects of estrogen. All three cell populations generated mixed colonies containing both luminal and myoepithelial cells from a single cell and therefore represent candidate multipotent stem cells. However, DN cells predominately generated luminal colonies and exhibited a much higher cloning efficiency than differentiated luminal cells. Further characterisation of these candidate progenitor/stem cells should contribute to a better understanding of normal mammary gland development and breast tumorigenesis.     

Isolation of mouse mammary epithelial progenitor cells with basal characteristics from the Comma-Dbeta cell line

A mouse mammary epithelial cell line with morphogenetic properties in vivo, Comma-Dbeta, was used to isolate and to characterize mammary progenitor cells. We found that a homogeneous cell population expressing high surface levels of stem cell antigen 1 (Sca-1) was able to give rise in vivo to ductal and alveolar structures comprising luminal secretory and basal myoepithelial cells. Unlike the Sca-1(high), the Sca-1(neg/low) cell population displayed a reduced morphogenetic potential. The Sca-1(high) cells presented moderate CD24, high CD44 and alpha6 integrin surface levels, expressed basal cell markers p63, keratins 5 and 14, but no luminal and myoepithelial lineage markers. In culture, the Sca-1(high) cells generated identical daughter cells that retained their in vivo developmental potential, indicating that these cells were maintained by self-renewal. Plated at clonogenic density in Matrigel, Sca-1(high) cells formed spheroids that included luminal and myoepithelial cells. Thus, the isolated Sca-1(high) basal cells possess several features of stem/progenitor cells, including specific markers, self-renewal capacity, and the ability to generate the two major mammary lineages, luminal and myoepithelial. These data provide evidence for the existence of basal-type mouse mammary progenitors able to participate in the morphogenetic processes characteristic of mammary gland development.     

Luminal Progenitors Restrict Their Lineage Potential during Mammary Gland Development

The hierarchical relationships between stem cells and progenitors that guide mammary gland morphogenesis are still poorly defined. While multipotent basal stem cells have been found within the myoepithelial compartment, the in vivo lineage potential of luminal progenitors is unclear. Here we used the expression of the Notch1 receptor, previously implicated in mammary gland development and tumorigenesis, to elucidate the hierarchical organization of mammary stem/progenitor cells by lineage tracing. We found that Notch1 expression identifies multipotent stem cells in the embryonic mammary bud, which progressively restrict their lineage potential during mammary ductal morphogenesis to exclusively generate an ERα^neg luminal lineage postnatally. Importantly, our results show that Notch1-labelled cells represent the alveolar progenitors that expand during pregnancy and survive multiple successive involutions. This study reveals that postnatal luminal epithelial cells derive from distinct self-sustained lineages that may represent the cells of origin of different breast cancer subtypes.     

Effect of long-term culture of mouse embryonic stem cells under low oxygen concentration as well as on glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan on cell proliferation and differentiation

Objectives: Maintaining undifferentiated stem cells in defined conditions is of critical importance to improve their in vitro culture. We have evaluated the effects of culturing mouse stem (mES) cells under physiological oxygen concentration as well as by replacing fibroblast feeder layer (mEF) with gelatin or glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA), on cell proliferation and differentiation. Materials and methods: After 3 days culture or after long‐term cell culture under different conditions, levels of apoptotic cell death were determined by cell cycle and TUNEL (TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling) assays and levels of cell proliferation by CFSE (5‐(and‐6)‐carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester) labelling. We assessed spontaneous differentiation into cardiomyocytes and mRNA expression of pluripotency and differentiation biomarkers. Results: After 3 days culture under hypoxic conditions, levels of proliferation and apoptosis of mES cells were higher, in correlation with increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species. However, when cells were continuously grown for 1 month under those conditions, the level of apoptosis was, in all cases, under 4%. Hypoxia reduced spontaneous differentiation of mES into cardiomyocytes. Long‐term culture on HA was more effective in maintaining the pluripotent state of the mES cells when compared to that on gelatin. Level of terminal differentiation was highest on mEF, intermediate on HA and lowest on gelatin. Conclusions: Our data suggest that hypoxia is not necessary for maintaining pluripotency of mES cells and appeared to be detrimental during ES differentiation. Moreover, HA may offer a valuable alternative for long‐term culture of mES cells in vitro.     

Chemiluminescence of non‐differentiated THP‐1 promonocytes: developing an assay for screening anti‐inflammatory milk proteins and peptides

Human leukemic THP‐1 promonocytes are widely used as a model for peripheral blood monocytes. However, superoxide production during respiratory burst (RB) of non‐differentiated THP‐1 (nd‐THP‐1) cells is very low. Here we present a rapid and low‐cost method for measuring the chemiluminescence (CL) of opsonized zymosan (OZ) induced RB which allows detection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced priming of nd‐THP‐1 cells on the basis of CL reaction kinetics. Maximum CL intensity obtained was 2.20 ± 0.25 and 1.30 ± 0.11 relative light units, while CL peak time was achieved at 18.1 ± 2.6 and 28.7 ± 1.3 min in primed and non‐primed cells, respectively. The priming of nd‐THP‐1 cells with LPS evoked typical TNF‐α and IL‐6 production. We tested the effects of bovine lactoferrin and protein fractions from Lactobacillus helveticus BGRA43 fermented milk for potential anti‐inflammatory effects on LPS primed nd‐THP‐1 cells. Four fractions were found to inhibit the OZ‐induced CL in a dose‐dependent manner (IC₅₀ 3–30 µg/mL), while lactoferrin inhibited CL to a lesser extent (IC₅₀ 270 µg/mL). These results suggest that measuring CL response of nd‐THP‐1 cells can serve as a method for screening anti‐inflammatory compounds which could be used in reducing the risk of phagocyte‐mediated inflammatory diseases. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.