The Analysis of Cell Population Dynamics in Mammary Gland Development and Tumorigenesis
Abstract
The mammary gland is made up of several epithelial cell populations including luminal, mycepithelial, stem and progenitor cells. It is not understood how these cell populations or the differentiation pathways that generate them contribute to tumorigenesis. The experiments in this proposal investigate the role of mammary epithelial cell differentiation processes in tumorigenesis. FACS sorted mammary epithelial cells expressing Sca-1 exhibit enhanced transplantation potential and may be enriched for stem or progenitor cells 1 . We will further refine the Sca-1 cell population by screening mammary epithelial cell primary cultures by FACS to identify markers that are coexpressed on a subset of Sca-1 cells. Once markers have been identified then the isolated cell populations will be assayed for outgrowth potential and differentiation marker expression. The Sca-1 cell population will also be analyzed in mouse models of tumorigenesis. We are also developing new mouse models that can used to study how genes expressed in mammary Sca-1 cells affect differentiation and tumorigenesis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA429484
Entities
People
- Bryan E. Welm
Organizations
- University of California, San Francisco