Estrogen receptor alpha is required for mammary development and the induction of mammary hyperplasia and epigenetic alterations in the aromatase transgenic mice

Aromatase transgenic mice exhibit hyperplastic and dysplastic changes, attesting to the importance of local estrogen in breast carcinogenesis. These mice also show increased levels of the estrogen receptor and β (ER, ERβ) suggesting that this receptor may play an important role in the initiation of estrogen-mediated mammary hyperplasia observed in these mice. To address the specific role of ER in the mammary development and in the induction of estrogen-mediated hyperplasia in aromatase transgenic mice, we have generated MMTV-aromatase × ER knockout cross (referred as aromatase/ERKO). Even though ERβ is expressed in aromatase/ERKO mice, lack of ER leads to impaired mammary growth in these mice. The data suggest that ER plays an important role in the mammary gland development as well as in the induction of mammary hyperplasia in aromatase transgenic mice. Lack of ER expression in the aromatase/ERKO mice resulted in a decrease in the expression of Cyclin D1, PCNA and TGFβ relative to the aromatase parental strain. The studies involving aromatase/ERKO mice show that lack of ER results in impaired mammary development even in the presence of continuous tissue estrogen, suggesting estrogen/ER-mediated actions are critical for mammary development and carcinogenesis.     

生长抑素在大鼠乳腺组织中的分布和定位

目的研究生长抑素在大鼠乳腺组织中的分布和定位。方法本实验应用即用型快速免疫组化方法对处女期、妊娠6 d、12 d、18 d和泌乳6 d、12 d、18 d的SD大鼠的乳腺进行生长抑素检测。结果发现从处女期到泌乳期大鼠乳腺组织中均有生长抑素的表达,且主要分布于上皮细胞的胞质和腺泡的分泌物中。结论大鼠乳腺上皮细胞的胞质和腺泡的分泌物中有生长抑素的分布。     

VIP receptor antagonists inhibit mammary carcinogenesis in C3(1)SV40T antigen mice

The effects of a vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor antagonist on mammary carcinogenesis were investigated using the C3(1)SV40T antigen (ag) mice. Ten microg/day VIPhybrid (VIPhyb) administered daily subcutaneously increased significantly the survival of C3(1)SV40Tag mice. At 5.2 months, VIPhyb significantly reduced the mammary tumor burden in C3(1)SV40Tag mice relative to control animals. 125I-VIP bound with high affinity to mouse mammary tumor homogenate. Because (Lys15, Arg16, Leu27)VIP1-7GRF8-27 (VPAC1 selective) but not Ro25-1553 (VPAC2 selective) inhibited specific 125I-VIP binding to mammary tumor membranes with high affinity, VPAC1 receptors predominate. By RT-PCR, VPAC1 receptor mRNA was detected in mammary tumors. By Western blot, a major 60 Kdalton band was detected in mammary tumor extracts using VPAC1 receptor antisera. By immunocytochemistry, VPAC1-R immunostaining was detected in the cytosol and plasma membrane but not the nucleus of fixed mammary tumor tissue. Using laser capture microdissected tumor cells and surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) techniques on mammary tumor cells, the proteomic profile was altered in mice treated with VIPhyb. Because VPAC1 receptor antagonists increase the survival and reduce the tumor burden in C3(1)SV40Tag mice, they may function as chemopreventive agents in mammary cancer.     

HER-2/neu x aromatase double transgenic mice model: the effects of aromatase overexpression on mammary tumorigenesis

A majority of breast cancers are hormone-responsive, and require estrogen for growth, and respond to hormonal therapy that blocks estrogen receptor action. Breast tumors with low levels of or completely lacking estrogen receptor fail to respond to antiestrogen therapy yet require estrogen for tumor initiation. To address the importance of local estrogen in oncogene-mediated breast tumorigenesis, we have crossed MMTV-aromatase with MMTV-HER2/neu and examined the incidence of breast cancer in double transgenic mice in comparison with parental strains. Double transgenic mice show normal mammary development and express both transgenes at similar levels to that of parental strains. Tumor incidence in double transgenic mice (<5%) decreased compared to HER2/neu mice (>65%). In addition to a significant decrease in tumorigenesis, these mice expressed ER as well as high levels of ERβ along with decreased levels of cyclin D1 and phosphorylated pRb among other changes. Furthermore, experiments using THC (ER-agonist and ERβ-antagonist) clearly demonstrate the critical role of ERβ in HER2/neu-mediated tumorigenesis. These studies provide the first genetic evidence that estrogen receptor, mainly ERβ than ER and its dependent changes play an important role in regulating mammary tumorigenesis. These findings provide further evidence for development and testing of novel therapeutic approaches based on selective regulation of estrogen receptors (ER and β)-dependent actions for the treatment and prevention of breast cancers.     

Immunohistological localization of IgG1, IgA and secretory component in the bovine mammary gland during involution

Summary Immunoperoxidase methods were used to localize secretory component, immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G1 in mammary tissue from dairy cows. In lactating tissue, immunostaining for immunoglobulin A and secretory component was observed primarily in the luminal contents of alveoli. By day 2 of involution, alveolar epithelial cells stained for both immunoglobulin A and secretory component. Staining of alveolar epithelial cells for immunoglobulin A and secretory component continued throughout the period of mammary involution. No staining for secretory component was observed in the interalveolar stromal area. Immunoglobulin G1 immunostaining was localized primarily in the interalveolar areas in lactating tissue, but was localized at the apical and basolateral surface of alveolar cells on day 2 of involution. In contrast to immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G1 staining of epithelial cells did not persist and was primarily in the interalveolar areas by day 4. These results suggest that an increased localization of immunoglobulin G1 in bovine mammary epithelial cells may occur transiently in early involution, while an increase in immunoglobulin A and secretory component localization in epithelial cells persists throughout involution.     

A mammary repopulating cell population characterized in mammary anlagen reveals essential mammary stroma for morphogenesis

The cells with mammary repopulating capability can achieve mammary gland morphogenesis in a suitable cellular microenvironment. Using cell surface markers of CD24, CD29 and CD49f, mouse mammary repopulating unit (MRU) has been identified in adult mammary epithelium and late embryonic mammary bud epithelium. However, embryonic MRU remains to be fully characterized at earlier mammary anlagen stage. Here we isolated discrete populations of E14.5 mouse mammary anlagen cells. Only Lin⁻CD24^medCD29⁺ cell population was predicted as E14.5 MRU by examining their capacities of forming mammosphere and repopulating cleared mammary fat pad in vivo. However, when we characterized gene expressions of this E14.5 cell population by comparing with adult mouse MRU (Lin⁻CD24⁺CD29^hi), the gene profiling of these two cell populations exhibited great differences. Real-time PCR and immunostaining assays uncovered that E14.5 Lin⁻CD24^medCD29⁺ cell population was a heterogeneous stroma-enriched cell population. Then, limiting dilutions and single-cell assays also confirmed that E14.5 Lin⁻CD24^medCD29⁺ cell population possessed low proportion of stem cells. In summary, heterogeneous Lin⁻CD24^medCD29⁺ cell population exhibited mammary repopulating ability in E14.5 mammary anlagen, implying that only suitable mammary stroma could enable mammary gland morphogenesis, which relied on the interaction between rare stem cells and microenvironment.     

Immunological inhibition of carcinogenesis

The combination of new information provided by fundamental immunology, along with the refinement of genetic engineering techniques has given scientists the capacity to produce vaccines able to inhibit the growth of most if not every transplantable tumor. However, when faced with already established tumors, vaccines fail to afford any significant protection. Many studies are underway which seek to overcome this gloomy situation. However, another possibility is to follow the indications provided by a large quantity of experimental data and to evaluate the possibility of using immunotherapy to prevent the initial stages of tumor growth. Is it possible to prevent an autologous tumor by means of a vaccination performed before tumor onset? Could antitumor vaccines be a new form of preventive medicine in the wake of Jenner, Pasteur, and other pioneers? In this paper it is our intention to review the results obtained by our laboratory in the attempt to use natural and adaptive immunity in the control of carcinogenesis. Natural immunity boosted by IL-12 and IL-2 significantly hampers the progression of mammary lesions occurring in HER-2/neu transgenic mice genetically predestined to develop lethal mammary carcinomas. Specific immunity elicited by DNA vaccination provides a much stronger inhibition of the development of mammary lesions, and a significant number of transgenic mice are tumor free at 1 year of age. These experimental data suggest the possibility of using immunity as a means of controlling preneoplastic lesions and protecting healthy persons at risk of developing cancer.     

Irregular distribution of mammary-derived growth inhibitor in the bovine mammary epithelium

Localization of a mammary-derived growth inhibitor (MDGI) in the bovine mammary gland was verified by light-and electron-microscopic methods. Expression of MDGI, which is known to inhibit the growth of mammary epithelial cell lines in vitro, was found to be highest in the late pregnant and in the lactating state. A combination of immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical methods with semi- and ultrathin resin sections revealed marked variations in MDGI staining. High MDGI levels were predominantly detectable in epithelial cells with large milk fat droplets. Distinct cell types that were almost free of label could be identified among bovine mammary epithelial cells that always exhibited high MDGI levels. Similar results were obtained when using a serum-free organ culture system in which MDGI was hormonally induced in cell types of comparable differentiation state. The specific occurrence of the growth inhibitor in developing alveoli and certain cell types points to the association between MDGI expression and functional differentiation in the normal mammary gland.     

Changes in the extracellular matrix of the normal human breast during the menstrual cycle

Summary The normal human mammary gland undergoes a well defined sequence of histological changes in both epithelial and stromal compartments during the menstrual cycle. Studies in vitro have suggested that the extracellular matrix surrounding the individual cells plays a central role in modulating a wide variety of cellular events, including proliferation, differentiation and gene expression. We therefore investigated the distribution of a number of extracellular matrix molecules in the normal breast during the menstrual cycle. By use of indirect immunofluorescence, with specific antibodies, we demonstrated that laminin, heparan sulphate proteoglycan, type IV collagen, type V collagen, chondroitin sulphate and fibronectin undergo changes in distribution during the menstrual cycle, whereas collagen types I, III, VI and VII remain unchanged. These changes were most marked in the basement membrane, sub-basement membrane zone and delimiting layer of fibroblasts surrounding the ductules where basement membrane markers such as laminin, heparan sulphate proteoglycan, and type IV and V collagens appear greatly reduced during the mid-cycle period (days 8 to 22). These results suggest that some extracellular matrix molecules may act as medittors in the hormonal control of the mammary gland, whereas others may have a predominantly structural role.     

Mechanisms of hormone-mediated carcinogenesis of the ovary in mice

Experimental ovarian carcinogenesis has been investigated in inbred and hybrid strains of mice and induced by a diversity of mechanisms including X-irradiation, oocytotoxic xenobiotic chemicals, ovarian grafting to ectopic or orthotopic sites, neonatal thymectomy, mutant genes reducing germ cell populations, and aging. The mechanisms are briefly reviewed whereby disruptions in the function of graafian follicles results in a spectrum of ovarian proliferative lesions including tumors. The findings in mutant mice support the concept of a secondary (hormonally-mediated) mechanism of ovarian carcinogenesis in mice associated with sterility. Multiple pathogenetic factors that either destroy or diminish the numbers of graafian follicles in the ovary result in decreased sex hormone secretion (especially estradiol-17β) leading to a compensatory over-production of pituitary gonadotrophins (particularly luteinizing hormone), which places the mouse ovary at an increased risk to develop tumors. The intense proliferation of ovarian surface epithelium and stromal (interstitial) cells with the development of unique tubular adenomas in response to sterility does not appear to have a counterpart in the ovaries of women.     

乳腺注射法表达人组织型纤溶酶原激活剂的研究

目的 :构建tPA乳腺定位表达载体 ,使其在牛乳汁中高效表达 ,观察目的基因表达的规律及其影响因素 ,为建立新型牛乳腺生物反应器提供理论基础。方法 :RT-PCR法克隆目的基因 ,通过酶切、连接、分离、纯化等方法构建含tPA-cDNA的乳腺定位表达载体 ;采用乳腺注射法将融合基因转入小鼠及牛的乳腺组织中。结果 :乳腺注射外源基因后 ,tPA可在小鼠和牛的乳汁中表达。结论 :乳腺注射法可使目的基因在乳腺组织中稳定地表达较长的时间 ,其表达量与显微注射法没有明显的差异 ,表明外源基因的表达不受转基因方法的影响。但tPA在牛乳汁中的表达量明显高于小鼠的表达量 ,提示不同动物的乳蛋白调控系统有一定的差异 ,可能受着不同的因素或调控系统的影响。     

Localization of mammary-derived growth inhibitor in capillary endothelial cells of the bovine mammary gland

Mammary-derived growth inhibitor (MDGI) has previously been localized in the mammary parencyma, dependent on the stage of differentiation of the mammary gland. Here, we have elucidated the distribution of MDGI in the mammary stroma by a combined immunohisto-and cytochemical analysis with antibodies raised against MDGI. Distinct staining of capillary endothelial cells has been revealed. Although its subcellular distribution resembles former observations in secretory epithelial cells, the expression of MDGI in capillary endothelial cells clearly precedes that in secretory epithelial cells. On the other hand, no endothelial MDGI staining has been detected in bovine heart, which contains a fatty acid-binding protein almost identical to MDGI. The localization of MDGI in the mammary capillary endothelium is discussed in terms of its possible involvement in the intracellular transport of hydrophobic ligands or in the regulation of endothelial cell proliferation.     

The role of carboxypeptidases in carcinogenesis

The literature and own experimental data on the role of metallocarboxypeptidases in carcinogenesis have been reviewed. The development of various tumors is accompanied by the increase in activity of all groups of these. It is suggested that in some cases carboxypeptidases play a protective role attributed to inhibition of tumor development.     

Calcium transport by mammary secretory cells: Mechanisms underlying transepithelial movement

The secretion of calcium into milk by mammary epithelial cells is a fundamentally important process. Despite this, the mechanisms which underlie the movement of calcium across the lactating mammary gland are still poorly understood. There are, however, two models which describe the handling of calcium by mammary epithelial cells. On the one hand, a model which has existed for several decades, suggests that the vast majority of calcium enters milk via the Golgi secretory vesicle route. On the other hand, a new model has recently been proposed which implies that the active transport of calcium across the apical membrane of mammary secretory cells is central to milk calcium secretion. This short review examines the strengths and weaknesses of both models and suggests some experiments which could add to our understanding of mammary calcium transport.     

Statistical models for low dose exposure

Extrapolation of health risks from high to low doses has received a considerable amount of attention in carcinogenic risk assessment over decades. Fitting statistical dose-response models to experimental data collected at high doses and use of the fitted model for estimating effects at low doses lead to quite different risk predictions. Dissatisfaction with this procedure was formulated both by toxicologists who saw a deficit of biological knowledge in the models as well as by risk modelers who saw the need of mechanistically-based stochastic modeling. This contribution summarizes the present status of low dose modeling and the determination of the shape of dose-response curves. We will address the controversial issues of the appropriateness of threshold models, the estimation of no observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL), and their relevance for low dose modeling. We will distinguish between quantal dose-response models for tumor incidence and models of the more informative age/time dependent tumor incidence. The multistage model and the two-stage model of clonal expansion are considered as dose-response models accounting for biological mechanisms. Problems of the identifiability of mechanisms are addressed, the relation between administered dose and effective target dose is illustrated by examples, and the recently proposed Benchmark Dose concept for risk assessment is presented with its consequences for mechanistic modeling and statistical estimation.