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• Poster Presentation
• Acknowledgements
• References

Poster Presentation

Elucidation of the genes controlling the proliferation and differentiation of mouse mammary epithelial stem (MaSC) and progenitor (Ma-CFC) cells is paramount to understanding the processes that regulate mammary gland development and breast cancer progression. We have previously described a strategy in which MaSC and Ma-CFC can be purified to 5% and 15%, respectively, on the basis of lack of expression of the hematopoietic and endothelial markers CD45, Ter119 and CD31 and on the differential expression of CD24 and CD49f [1], with the MaSC having a CD24^medCD49f^high phenotype and the Ma-CFC having a CD24^highCD49f^low phenotype. Currently, a definitive analysis of the gene expression profiles of MaSC and Ma-CFC is not possible due to the presence of large numbers of contaminating cells in these enriched subpopulations. However, a preliminary microarray analysis of these subpopulations has identified potential new cell surface markers that can be exploited to further purify MaSC and Ma-CFC. We have initiated a screening program using the markers identified in the microarray analysis as well as markers used to identify other adult tissue stem cells to further purify and characterize MaSC and Ma-CFCs. Results of this screen will be presented.

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by Breast Cancer Campaign.

References

1. Stingl J, Eirew P, Ricketson I, Shackletin M, Vaillant F, Choi D, Li HI, Eaves CJ: Purification and unique properties of mammary epithelial stem cells.

   Nature 2006, 439:993-997. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text

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