Morphogenesis of mouse mammary epithelial cells growing within collagen gels: ultrastructural and immunocytochemical characterization.
Mammary epithelial cells from adult virgin mice have been cultured within collagen gels in totally serum-free medium containing either epidermal growth factor or the mammogenic hormones, progesterone and prolactin, or prolactin alone. The cellular organization, differentiation and cell-type composition of the colonies from the three culture conditions were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and light-microscope immunocytochemistry. The epithelial cells form branching duct-like structures and, when exposed to mammogenic hormones, assume a secretory morphology (including casein micelles) similar to that seen in the early to mid-pregnant mouse.
Hamamoto
S
S
Cancer Research Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Imagawa
W
W
Yang
J
J
Nandi
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009024:Morphogenesis; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000494:pharmacology
D011374:Progesterone; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D011388:Prolactin; D003094:Collagen