Establishing estrogen-responsive mouse mammary organoids from single Lgr5 cells.

TitleEstablishing estrogen-responsive mouse mammary organoids from single Lgr5 cells.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsZhang L, Adileh M, Martin MLaura, Klingler S, White J, Ma X, Howe LR, Brown AMC, Kolesnick R
JournalCell Signal
Volume29
Pagination41-51
Date Published2017 01
ISSN1873-3913
KeywordsAnimals, Cell Differentiation, Colony-Forming Units Assay, Estrogens, Female, Mammary Glands, Animal, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Organoids, Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that mammary cells expressing R-spondin receptor and Wnt pathway regulator Lgr5, regarded as a stem cell marker in multiple tissues, might represent mammary stem cells (MaSCs). Whether L gr5 marks a multipotent subpopulation of Lin-CD24CD49f MaSCs remains controversial. To some extent the differing results reflect different assays used to assess properties of stemness, including lineage tracing in vivo, mammosphere culture, and mammary fat pad transplantation assays. To address this issue directly, we isolated Lgr5 cells from mammary glands of Lgr5-lacZ mice and established organoids based on principles adapted from studies of Wnt-driven Lgr5 cell populations in other organs. Mammary organoids were grown from single Lgr5 mammary cells in Matrigel, the substratum of choice for intestinal organoids, and in a growth factor cocktail containing EGF, Wnt3a and R-spondin, designed to optimally activate the endogenous Wnt signaling program of stem cells. Colonies derived from single Lgr5 cells manifest at least four distinct cell populations: Lgr5 and Lgr5 basal cells and c-Kit and c-Kit luminal cells that spontaneously organize into a ductal structure with basal cells around the periphery and luminal cells lining an interior cavity, reminiscent of normal mammary duct structure. Lgr5 cell-derived organoids were sustainable during prolonged passaging. In contrast, although Lgr5 cells expand into primary colonies, colony-forming efficiency immediately dissipated upon passaging. Furthermore, reproductive hormones induce epithelial cell proliferation resulting in marked increases in lumen diameter accompanied by squamous transdifferentiation. We propose this estrogen-responsive, self-organizing duct-like structure derived from single murine Lgr5 mammary cells represents a "mini-breast" organoid.

DOI10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.08.001
Alternate JournalCell Signal
PubMed ID27511963
PubMed Central IDPMC5138122
Grant ListR01 AI045899 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R21 CA186981 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States

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