Mapping Mammary Epithelial Cell Transformation in BRCA1 Mutant Mice
Abstract
Recently developed culture models provide us with a window into the initial stages of breast cancer formation, when some molecular changes have already occurred but the typical malignant growth is not yet present. We have called these cells that have already taken one or more "hits", but do not yet form cancer, tumor progenitor cells. It is our hypothesis that the breast tissue of BRCA1 carriers harbors a population of cancer progenitor cells that can be identified with suitable culture techniques. We used a BRCA1 mutant mouse model to address this question. The BRCA1 mutant mice were bred and their breast tissue cells systematically analyzed in an assay that allows for the growth of these cells in three dimensions, where their growth pattern most closely resembles the mammary gland environment. Culture conditions for the growth of these mammary epithelial cells were established; i.e. growth in a 2% matrigel medium supplemented with EGF, Insulin and Hydrocortisone. Conditional BRCA1 mutant mice were bred together with the respective controls. Mammary glands were harvested at the ages of 6, 12 and 15 months. The differences in growth pattern of PMECs isolated from these mice did not differ significantly.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA477279
Entities
People
- Gerburg M Wulf
Organizations
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center