WNT/beta-catenin mediates radiation resistance of mouse mammary progenitor cells.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have identified a subpopulation of highly tumorigenic cells with stem/progenitor cell properties from human breast cancers, and it has been suggested that stem/progenitor cells, which remain after breast cancer therapy, may give rise to recurrent disease. We hypothesized that progenitor cells are resistant to radiation, a component of conventional breast cancer therapy, and that that resistance is mediated at least in part by Wnt signaling, which has been implicated in stem cell survival. To test this hypothesis, we investigated radioresistance by treating primary BALB/c mouse mammary epithelial cells with clinically relevant doses of radiation and found enrichment in normal progenitor cells (stem cell antigen 1-positive and side population progenitors). Radiation selectivel

SUBMITTER: Woodward WA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1766434 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature