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M M Ip

Publications and source records attributed to M M Ip.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Functional role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in mammary epithelial cell development.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important regulator of mammary epithelial cell (MEC) function and is remodeled by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). To investigate the significance and regulation of MMP activity in normal MEC, we utilized a primary culture model in which rat MEC were grown three dimensionally within a reconstituted basement membrane (RBM) in defined serum-free medium. Zymograms of culture medium demonstrated that five major gelatinases of 97, 80, 74, 69, and 65 kDa were secreted by MEC and were distinct from gelatinases of RBM origin. Based on molecular weight, p-aminophenylmercuric acid activation, immunoblotting with MMP-specific antibodies, inhibition by EDTA, a peptide containing the prodomain sequence of MMP (TMRKPRCGNPDVAN) and two synthetic MMP inhibitors (BB-94 and CGS 27023A), these were classified as inactive and active forms of MMP-9 and MMP-2. The maximal MMP activities occurred when MEC were in a rapid proliferation and branching phase and declined after they underwent functional differentiation. Known regulators of MEC growth and differentiation were evaluated for their ability to modulate gelatinase activity in primary culture. Secretion of one or both MMPs was inhibited by EGF, TGFalpha, prolactin, and hydrocortisone and stimulated by progesterone. Furthermore, the functional significance of MMPs was demonstrated since three MMP inhibitors blocked branching morphogenesis elicited by the absence of hydrocortisone. Additionally, two synthetic MMP inhibitors not only inhibited epithelial cell growth but also inhibited normal alveolar development of the MEC. Finally, these drugs were found to enhance MMP secretion from MEC, although the activity of the secreted MMPs was inhibited as long as the drug was present.

Animals↗

TNFalpha induces NFkappaB/p50 in association with the growth and morphogenesis of normal and transformed rat mammary epithelial cells.

In contrast to the cytotoxic or cytostatic effect of TNFalpha on many breast cancer cell lines, TNFalpha stimulates growth and morphogenesis of normal rat mammary epithelial cells (MEC). The present studies were carried out to determine whether there are intrinsic differences between normal and malignant MEC which may explain the differing responsiveness to TNFalpha. Freshly isolated rat MEC organoids from normal mammary gland or 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea-induced mammary tumors were treated with TNFalpha for 21 days. Unexpectedly, TNFalpha stimulated growth and morphogenesis of both normal and transformed MEC in primary culture, although in transformed cells its effects were delayed and the majority of the colonies were histologically abnormal, with multiple cell layers and no lumen. Since NFkappaB is a key mediator of TNFalpha action and has been implicated in carcinogenesis, the expression of the p50, p52, p65, and c-rel NFkappaB proteins in normal and transformed MEC was determined. Expression of p52 was significantly reduced in tumor cells, and p50 was absent, although its putative precursor, p105 was abundant. There were no changes in the levels of p65 or c-rel. TNFalpha induced a pronounced and sustained increase of a p50 homodimeric NFkappaB/DNA complex in both normal and transformed MEC. However, in transformed MEC, NFkappaB binding was initially undetectable but then increased in response to TNFalpha. Thus, NFkappaB expression and DNA binding activity are altered during mammary carcinogenesis. In addition, the significant increase in NFkappaB/p50 DNA-binding was temporally coincident with TNFalpha-induced growth and morphogenesis, suggesting that it may play a significant role in both normal development and carcinogenesis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Differential expression of integrin mRNAs and proteins during normal rat mammary gland development and in carcinogenesis.

A rat model was used to address the roles of integrins in the regulation of normal mammary epithelial cell (MEC) growth and differentiation and in mammary carcinogenesis. The expression of integrins alpha5, alpha6, beta1, and beta4 was examined via Northern and Western blotting analyses in freshly isolated MEC from various postnatal developmental stages. mRNAs for all four integrins were detectable at puberty and were increased during pregnancy. During lactation, the expression of alpha5, alpha6, and beta1 integrin mRNAs reached a peak, whereas that of beta4 integrin decreased dramatically. At day 7 of involution, the levels of all four integrin mRNAs were similar to or slightly higher than that of the pubertal mammary gland. Although alpha5 integrin protein decreased during pregnancy and lactation, beta1 and beta4 integrin proteins had similar profiles as the expression of their respective mRNAs, suggesting that integrin gene expression is regulated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. All four integrins were heterogeneously expressed in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene- and N-nitroso-N-methyl-urea-induced mammary tumors and in RBA and NMU rat mammary tumor cell lines. Adhesion assays showed that isolated MEC interacted with fibronectin to a greater extent than with laminin and collagen I in vitro, and that tumor cells with altered integrin expression exhibited greater adhesive ability to various substrata. Together, our results indicate that alpha5, alpha6, beta1, and beta4 integrins are differentially expressed during normal MEC development and in mammary tumors, supporting the hypothesis that these integrins play important yet complex roles in the mammary gland.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Altered expression and localization of PKC eta in human breast tumors.

Protein kinase C (PKC) eta is a PKC isoform whose upregulation is associated with differentiation in many epithelial tissues, including the rat mammary gland. The purpose of this study was to examine whether PKC eta is altered, in expression or localization, in human breast cancer. Paraffin sections of 49 in situ breast lesions, 29 invasive breast tumors, and nine normal breast biopsies were examined for PKC eta expression by immunohistochemistry. Adjacent regions of normal epithelium, and in situ lesions that were present adjacent to invasive lesions were also analyzed. In normal epithelium, regardless of the presence of adjacent in situ or invasive lesions, PKC eta was present in the cytoplasm of the luminal epithelium, and increased in areas of normal lobular development, similar to normal rat mammary gland. PKC eta staining intensity was homogeneous in normal lobules, but heterogeneous in in situ and invasive lesions, being focally increased in cells with aberrant nuclear morphology. In situ lesions were similar to adjacent normal epithelium in average staining intensity, regardless of whether invasion was also present. However, the invasive lesions themselves were significantly decreased in staining intensity compared to adjacent in situ lesions. In addition, 75% of invasive breast cancer lesions showed decreased staining relative to adjacent normal epithelium, compared to 37% of in situ lesions. The invasive tumors which possessed high PKC eta staining were associated with positive lymph node status. These results demonstrate that quantitative and qualitative alterations in PKC eta occur in human breast cancers.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Control of rat mammary epithelium proliferation by conjugated linoleic acid.

Past research showed that mammary gland morphogenesis in the pubescent rat was retarded by the feeding of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). A major objective of the present study was to examine the proliferative activity and the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in the developing mammary epithelium of rats fed a mixture of CLA isomers (primarily as free fatty acid c9, t11-CLA and t10,c12-CLA) or a highly enriched natural source of c9,t11-CLA (as triacylglycerol in butterfat). In both experiments, the diets, with or without CLA, were started at weaning and continued for four weeks. The two CLA preparations were equally effective in suppressing bromodeoxyuridine labeling and the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin A (determined by immunohistochemistry) in the terminal end buds and alveolar clusters of the mammary epithelium while it undergoes extensive ductal branching during pubescence. There was a trend of an increase, although not statistically significant, in the proportion of cells expressing the p16 and p27 cdk inhibitors. A separate experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of c9,t11-CLA (as a free fatty acid of > 90% purity) treatment on the rate of proliferation of the mammary epithelium as the animal matured from weanling to adult. The bromodeoxyuridine labeling data indicated that the mammary epithelium appeared to lose its sensitivity to CLA control of proliferation as it completely filled the fat pad and became quiescent. These observations suggest that the responsiveness of mammary epithelial cells to CLA intervention may be dependent on their proliferative status.

Animals↗

Regulation of milk protein gene expression in normal mammary epithelial cells by tumor necrosis factor.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) is a physiologically significant regulator of mammary gland development, stimulating growth and branching morphogenesis of mammary epithelial cells (MEC) and modulating functional differentiation. The present studies were performed to determine the mechanism by which TNF modulated functional differentiation. In rat MEC in primary culture, TNF inhibited accumulation of whey acidic protein and beta-casein messenger RNAs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, levels of transferrin messenger RNA, the product of another milk protein gene, were not inhibited by TNF, suggesting selectivity. Using a nuclear run-on assay in the immortalized HC11 mammary epithelial cell line and the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D in MEC in primary culture, the effects of TNF were shown to be mediated by both a decrease in transcription and a decrease in the stability of the whey acidic protein and beta-casein transcripts. Additionally, TNF stimulated the binding of nuclear factor-kappaB to a consensus kappaB-oligonucleotide, increased the stability of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) transcripts, and increased MMP-9 activity. Together, these data suggest that TNF may exert its effects on milk protein gene expression either directly via nuclear factor-kappaB modulation of transcription, or indirectly via MMP-9-induced remodeling of the architectural or hormonal environment surrounding the MEC.

Animals↗

Expression, tissue distribution, and cellular localization of the antiapoptotic TIP-B1 protein.

TIP-B1 is a novel 27-kDa protein isolated from the cytosol of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-stimulated cells. Cells preincubated with TIP-B1 are protected from TNF-induced apoptosis. This study showed that, as with normal fibroblasts and U937 histiocytic lymphoma, human MCF7 mammary adenocarcinoma cells were protected from TNF in a concentration-dependent manner by pretreatment with either TNF or purified TIP-B1. Immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses indicated expression of both TIP-B1 mRNA and protein in MCF7 cells and heart, kidney, brain, liver, ovary, uterus, thymus, spleen, lymph node, and mammary gland cells throughout their development. Expression of TIP-B1 was heterogeneous, with staining of specific cell types within tissues. Based on the ability of TIP-B1 to protect both normal and tumor cells from TNF-induced apoptosis and its broad tissue distribution, with expression only in select cells within those tissues, a role for TIP-B1 in the regulation of TNF-induced effects is strongly indicated.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

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.

Animals↗

TGFbeta1 stimulates the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and the invasive behavior in human ovarian cancer cells, which is suppressed by MMP inhibitor BB3103.

The present study investigated the modulatory role of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta1) on the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tested whether the altered secretion of MMPs could directly affect the invasive behavior of ovarian cancer cells. To this aim, human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells were treated once with vehicle or various concentrations of TGFbeta1 for 24 h. Gelatinase activities in conditioned media were analyzed by zymography and densitometry. TGFbeta1 dose-dependently stimulated the secretion of a 68-kDa gelatinase, which was characterized as an MMP because its activity was inhibited by a metalloproteinase inhibitor 1,10-phenanthroline, and by a synthetic MMP inhibitor BB3103. In addition, we used aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) to activate latent gelatinases. APMA time-dependently decreased the activity of 68-kDa gelatinase, and increased the activities of 64- and 62-kDa gelatinolytic bands. The 68-kDa gelatinase was further characterized as MMP2 (gelatinase A) by immunoblotting analysis. We then tested TGFbeta1 effect on the invasive potential of SKOV3 cells as assessed by the migration ability through reconstituted basement membrane, and further investigated whether TGFbeta1 may act through modulating the MMP activity to affect ovarian cancer cell invasion. The results show that TGFbeta1 stimulated the invasive behavior of SKOV3 cells, and that MMP inhibitor BB3103 abrogated this effect of TGFbeta1. In conclusion, this study indicates that TGFbeta1 may act partly through stimulating the secretion of MMP in promoting the invasive behavior of human ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, this work supports the idea that specific MMP inhibitors of the hydroxamate class could be therapeutically useful in controlling cancer cell invasion/metastasis.

Blotting, Western↗

A developmental atlas of rat mammary gland histology.

The mammary gland is a dynamic tissue that undergoes epithelial expansion and invasion during puberty and cycles of branching and lobular morphogenesis, secretory differentiation, and regression during pregnancy, lactation, and involution. The alteration in the mammary gland epithelium during its postnatal differentiation is accompanied by changes in the multiple stromal cell types present in this complex tissue. The postnatal plasticity of the epithelium, endothelium, and stromal cells of the mammary gland may contribute to its susceptibility to carcinogenesis. The purpose of this review is to assist researchers in recognizing histological changes in the epithelium and stroma of the rat mammary gland throughout development.

Aging↗

Changes in ErbB2 (her-2/neu), ErbB3, and ErbB4 during growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of normal rat mammary epithelial cells.

Studies were undertaken to examine the natural role of ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 during the development of normal rat mammary epithelial cells (MECs) in vivo and in vitro. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that mammary gland terminal end buds expressed abundant ErbB2 and ErbB4 but limited ErbB3 in pubescent rats, whereas luminal epithelial cells in nulliparous rats expressed ErbB2, ErbB3, and/or ErbB4. During pregnancy, ductal epithelial cells and stromal cells expressed abundant ErbB3 but limited ErbB2. Although ErbB2 and ErbB3 were downregulated throughout lactation, both receptors were re-expressed during involution. In contrast, ErbB4 was downregulated throughout pregnancy, lactation, and involution. Immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation studies confirmed the developmental expression of ErbB2 and ErbB3 in the mammary gland and the co-localization of distinct ErbB receptors in the mammary gland of nulliparous rats. In agreement with our in vivo findings, primary culture studies demonstrated that ErbB2 and ErbB3 were expressed in functionally immature, terminally differentiated and apoptotic MECs, and downregulated in functionally differentiated MECs. ErbB receptor signaling was required for epithelial cell growth, functional differentiation, and morphogenesis of immature MECs, and the survival of terminally differentiated MECs. Finally, ErbB4 expression did not interfere with functional differentiation and apoptosis of normal MECs.

Animals↗

Functional significance of MMP-9 in tumor necrosis factor-induced proliferation and branching morphogenesis of mammary epithelial cells.

Tissue remodeling is a key process involved in normal mammary gland development, with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) playing an important role in this process. Our laboratory has demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) stimulates branching morphogenesis of mammary epithelial cells (MEC) within a reconstituted basement membrane. Studies were therefore undertaken to determine whether MMPs might mediate the effects of TNF. Using a primary culture model in which rat MEC grow three-dimensionally within a reconstituted basement membrane, we found that TNF stimulated secretion of MMP-9 but not MMP-2. To determine whether MMP-9 was involved in TNF-induced proliferation and branching morphogenesis, we used a peptide containing the prodomain sequence of MMPs and two MMP inhibitors. Both the prodomain peptide (5 x 10(-4)-10(-3) M), as well as BB-94 (10(-8)-10(-5) M) and CGS 27023A (10(-6)-10(-5) M), inhibited TNF-induced proliferation and branching morphogenesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Finally, to verify the specific requirement for MMP-9, we demonstrated that an MMP-9 neutralizing antibody blocked TNF-induced proliferation and branching morphogenesis. Together, these data suggest that TNF-regulated MMP-9 may play a role in the controlled invasion of the fad pad that occurs during normal mammary gland development and that misregulation of MMP-9 may contribute to the invasiveness of breast cancer.

Animals↗

Induction of apoptosis by conjugated linoleic acid in cultured mammary tumor cells and premalignant lesions of the rat mammary gland.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is an effective agent in preventing mammary cancer in rats treated with a carcinogen. The appearance of a tumor mass is the net result of cell proliferation minus cell death. Thus, apoptosis could be an important mechanism in controlling clonal expansion of the early premalignant lesions. The overall objective of this report was to determine whether CLA stimulated apoptosis. In the first part of the study, CLA was found to increase chromatin condensation (visualized through fluorescent 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining to DNA) and to induce DNA laddering, both evidence of apoptosis, in a rat mammary tumor cell line. The second part was to investigate the effect of CLA feeding on the development of histologically identifiable premalignant lesions in the rat mammary gland, as well as on the quantification of apoptosis (by terminal uridyltransferase nick end labeling assay) and the expression by immunohistochemistry of apoptosis regulatory proteins (bcl-2, bak, and bax) in normal versus premalignant mammary structures. CLA inhibited the formation of premalignant lesions by approximately 50%. It also significantly increased apoptosis and reduced the expression of bcl-2 in these lesions, but it did not modulate the levels of bak or bax. In contrast, neither apoptosis nor any of the apoptosis regulatory proteins was affected by CLA in normal mammary gland alveoli or terminal end buds. The data suggest that early pathological lesions may be particularly sensitive to CLA. In addition to providing a molecular basis for elucidating the mechanism of action of CLA in cancer prevention, the research on CLA-responsive biomarkers also has a practical side because these assays can be applied to biopsied human tissue samples in future CLA intervention trials.

Animals↗

Conjugated linoleic acid inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of normal rat mammary epithelial cells in primary culture.

The trace fatty acid conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) inhibits rat mammary carcinogenesis when fed prior to carcinogen during pubertal mammary gland development or during the promotion phase of carcinogenesis. The following studies were done to investigate possible mechanisms of these effects. Using a physiological model for growth and differentiation of normal rat mammary epithelial cell organoids (MEO) in primary culture, we found that CLA, but not linoleic acid (LA), inhibited growth of MEO and that this growth inhibition was mediated both by a reduction in DNA synthesis and a stimulation of apoptosis. The effects of CLA did not appear to be mediated by changes in epithelial protein kinase C (PKC) since neither total activity nor expression nor localization of PKC isoenzymes alpha, beta II, delta, epsilon, eta, or zeta were altered in the epithelium of CLA-fed rats. In contrast, PKCs delta, epsilon, and eta were specifically upregulated and associated with a lipid-like, but acetone-insoluble, fibrillar material found exclusively in adipocytes from CLA-fed rats. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that CLA can act directly to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of normal MEO and may thus prevent breast cancer by its ability to reduce mammary epithelial density and to inhibit the outgrowth of initiated MEO. Moreover, the changes in mammary adipocyte PKC expression and lipid composition suggest that the adipose stroma may play an important in vivo role in mediating the ability of CLA to inhibit mammary carcinogenesis.

Adipocytes↗

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.

Adipocytes↗

Alterations in the expression and localization of protein kinase C isoforms during mammary gland differentiation.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in signaling that modulates the proliferation and differentiation of many cell types, including mammary epithelial cells. In addition, changes in PKC expression or activity have been observed during mammary carcinogenesis. In order to examine the involvement of specific PKC isoforms during normal mammary gland development, the expression and localization of PKCs alpha, delta, epsilon and zeta were examined during puberty, pregnancy, lactation, and involution. By immunoblot analysis, expression of PKC alpha, delta, epsilon and zeta proteins was increased in mammary epithelial organoids during the transition from puberty to pregnancy. In mammary gland frozen sections, PKCs alpha, delta, epsilon and zeta were stained in the luminal epithelium and myoepithelium, in varying isoform-and developmental stage-specific locations. PKC alpha was found in a punctate apical localization in the luminal epithelium during pregnancy. During lactation, PKC epsilon was present in the nucleus, and PKC zeta was concentrated in the subapical region of the luminal epithelium. Additionally, marked staining for PKCs alpha, delta, epsilon, and zeta was observed in the myoepithelial cells at the base of ducts and alveoli. This basal ductal and alveolar staining differed in intensity in a developmentally-specific fashion. During most time points (virgin, pregnant, lactating, and early involution), myoepithelial cells of the duct were more intensely stained than those lining the alveoli for PKCs alpha, delta, epsilon and zeta. During late involution (days 9-12), the preferential staining of ducts was lost or reversed, and the myoepithelial cells lining the regressing alveolar structures stained equally (PKCs epsilon and zeta) or more intensely (PKCs alpha and delta), coincident with the thickening of the myoepithelial cells surrounding the regressing alveoli. The increased PKC isoform staining at the base of alveoli during involution suggests that alveolar regression may be influenced by alterations in signaling in the alveolar myoepithelium.

Animals↗

Selective changes in EGF receptor expression and function during the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of mammary epithelial cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a multifunctional regulator of mammary epithelial cells (MEC) that transduces its signals through the EGF receptor (EGFR). To clarify the role of the EGFR in the mammary gland, EGFR expression, localization and function were examined during different developmental stages in rats. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated high levels of EGFR during puberty, pregnancy and involution as well as at sexual maturity, and low levels throughout lactation. An immunohistochemical assay was used to show that EGFR was distinctly expressed in a variety of cell types throughout mammary glands from virgin rats and rats during pregnancy and involution, and was down-regulated in all cell types throughout lactation. To examine the relationship between EGFR expression and function, primary MEC were cultured under conditions that induced physiologically relevant growth, morphogenesis and lactogenesis. Cultured MEC expressed an in vivo-like profile of EGFR. EGFR was high in immature MEC, down-regulated in functionally differentiated MEC, and then up-regulated in terminally differentiated and apoptotic MEC. An inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR was used to demonstrate that EGFR signaling was required for growth and differentiation of immature MEC, and for survival of terminally differentiated MEC, but not for maintaining functional differentiation.

Adenocarcinoma↗