Stem and progenitor cell division kinetics during postnatal mouse mammary gland development.
The cycling properties of mammary stem and progenitor cells is not well understood. To determine the division properties of these cells, we administered synthetic nucleosides for varying periods of time to mice at different stages of postnatal development and monitored the rate of uptake of these nucleosides in the different mammary cell compartments. Here we show that most cell division in the adult virgin gland is restricted to the oestrogen receptor-expressing luminal cell lineage. Our data also demonstrate that the oestrogen receptor-expressing, milk and basal cell subpopulations have telomere lengths and cell division kinetics that are not compatible with these cells being hierarchically organized; instead, our data indicate that in the adult homeostatic gland, each cell type is largely maintained by its own restricted progenitors. We also observe that transplantable stem cells are largely quiescent during oestrus, but are cycling during dioestrus when progesterone levels are high.
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
Rajshekhar R
RR
Giraddi
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
Mona
M
Shehata
Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid E-28029, Spain.
Mercedes
M
Gallardo
Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid E-28029, Spain.
Maria A
MA
Blasco
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 19 JJ Thomson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.|The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK.|Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road CB2 1QR, UK.
Benjamin D
BD
Simons
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
John
J
Stingl
D000818:Animals; D000066673:Cell Self Renewal; D005260:Female; D007700:Kinetics; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen