Stem/progenitor cells in non-lactating versus lactating equine mammary gland.
Summary of "Stem/progenitor cells in non-lactating versus lactating equine mammary gland."
The mammary gland is a highly regenerative organ that can undergo multiple cycles of proliferation, lactation and involution. Based on the facts that (i) mammary stem/progenitor cells (MaSC) are proposed the driving forces behind mammary growth and function and (ii) variation exists between mammalian species with regard to physiological as well as pathological functioning of this organ, we believe that studying MaSC from different mammals is of great comparative interest. Over the years, important data has been gathered on MaSC of men and mice, although knowledge on MaSC in other mammals remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this work was to isolate and characterize MaSC from the mammary gland of horses. Hereby, our salient findings were that the isolated equine cells met the two in vitro hallmark properties of stem cells, namely the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Moreover, the cells were immunophenotyped using markers for CD29, CD44, CD49f and Ki67. Finally, we propose the mammosphere assay as a valuable in vitro assay to study MaSC during different physiological phases since it was observed that equine lactating mammary gland contains significantly more mammosphere-initiating cells than the inactive, non-lactating gland (a reflection of MaSC self-renewal) and moreover, that these spheres were significantly larger in size upon initial cultivation (a reflection of progenitor cell proliferation). Taken together, this study not only extends the current knowledge of mammary gland biology, but also benefits the comparative approach to study and compare MaSC in different mammalian species.
Affiliation
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Comparative Physiology, Merelbeke, Belgium; jan.spaas@Ugent.be.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Stem cells and development
ISSN: 1557-8534
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22574831
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/scd.2012.0042
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Lactose Synthase
An enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the transfer of galactose from UDPgalactose to glucose, forming lactose. The enzyme is a complex of the enzyme N-ACETYLLACTOSAMINE SYNTHASE and alpha-lactalbumin; the latter protein is present in lactating mammary gland cells where it alters the usual specificity of the former to make lactose synthesis the preferred reaction. (Dorland, 28th ed) EC 2.4.1.22.
Multipotent Stem Cells
Specialized stem cells that are committed to give rise to cells that have a particular function; examples are MYOBLASTS; MYELOID PROGENITOR CELLS; and skin stem cells. (Stem Cells: A Primer [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (US); 2000 May [cited 2002 Apr 5]. Available from: http://www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/primer.htm)
Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Stem cells derived from HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS. Derived from these myeloid progenitor cells are the MEGAKARYOCYTES; ERYTHROID CELLS; MYELOID CELLS; and some DENDRITIC CELLS.
Stem Cells
Relatively undifferentiated cells that retain the ability to divide and proliferate throughout postnatal life to provide progenitor cells that can differentiate into specialized cells.
Fetal Stem Cells
Cells derived from a FETUS that retain the ability to divide, proliferate and provide progenitor cells that can differentiate into specialized cells.
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