Method for the generation and cultivation of functional three-dimensional mammary constructs without exogenous extracellular matrix.
During puberty, pregnancy, lactation and post-lactation, breast tissue undergoes extensive remodelling and the disruption of these events can lead to cancer. In vitro studies of mammary tissue and its malignant transformation regularly employ mammary epithelial cells cultivated on matrigel or floating collagen rafts. In these cultures, mammary epithelial cells assemble into three-dimensional structures resembling in vivo acini. We present a novel technique for generating functional mammary constructs without the use of matrix substitutes.
Timmins
N E
NE
Laboratory for Biological Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Harding
F J
FJ
Smart
C
C
Brown
M A
MA
Nielsen
L K
LK
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011247:Pregnancy; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism
D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen