The Role of PTHrP in Epithelial Stromal Interactions During Breast Development.
Abstract
Recent studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) is necessary for mammary gland development. Our studies have suggested that PTHrP is involved in regulating epithelial-stromal interactions during embryonic mammary development and during adolescent ductal morphogenesis. It is our working hypothesis that PTHrP is an epithelial signal that acts to modulate the ability of mammary stromal cells to support epithelial morphogenesis. In the second year of this project, we have gathered additional evidence that PTHrP plays a critical role in the control of mammary stromal cell function. We have shown that PTHrP is the signal from the mammary epithelium that necessary for the proper differentiation of the mammary mesenchyme. In addition, we have also shown that mammary stromal cells must express the PPRl in order to support mammary epithelial morphogenesis, thereby conclusively demonstrating that stromal cells are the critical target for PTHrP's actions in the mammary gland. Finally, we have begun to identify potential downstream signaling partners to PTHrP in mammary stromal cells in order to elucidate the mechanisms by which PTHrP modulates stromal cell function.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA375304
Entities
People
- Maureen E. Dunbar
Organizations
- Yale University