Project description:It has been suggested that breast cancers are driven and maintained by a cellular subpopulation with stem cell properties. These breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) mediate metastasis and by virtue of their resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, contribute to relapse. Although several BCSC markers have been described, it is unclear whether these markers identify the same or independent BCSC populations. Based on established breast cancer cell lines, as well as primary tumor xenografts, we show that BCSCs exist in distinct mesenchymal-like (epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT) and epithelial-like (mesenchymal-epithelial transition, MET) states characterized by expression of distinct markers, proliferative capacity and invasive characteristics. The gene expression profiles of mesenchymal-like and epithelial-like BCSCs are remarkably similar across the different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and resemble those of distinct basal and luminal stem cells found in the normal breast. We propose that the plasticity of BCSCs allowing them to transition between EMT- and MET-like states endows these cells with the capacity for tissue invasion, dissemination and growth at metastatic sites. Breast cancer cell lines, primary xenografts and normal breast cells from patient were sorted using flow cytometry to select for cells that were CD24-,CD44+ and ALDH+. Gene expression profiles of CD24-CD44+ cells were compared with non-CD24-CD44+ cells. Gene expression profiles of ALDH+ cells were compared with ALDH- cells.
Project description:It has been suggested that breast cancers are driven and maintained by a cellular subpopulation with stem cell properties. These breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) mediate metastasis and by virtue of their resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, contribute to relapse. Although several BCSC markers have been described, it is unclear whether these markers identify the same or independent BCSC populations. Based on established breast cancer cell lines, as well as primary tumor samples and xenografts, we show that BCSCs exist in distinct mesenchymal-like (epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT) and epithelial-like (mesenchymal-epithelial transition, MET) states characterized by expression of distinct markers, proliferative capacity and invasive characteristics. The gene expression profiles of mesenchymal-like and epithelial-like BCSCs are remarkably similar across the different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and resemble those of distinct basal and luminal stem cells found in the normal breast. We propose that the plasticity of BCSCs allowing them to transition between EMT- and MET-like states endows these cells with the capacity for tissue invasion, dissemination and growth at metastatic sites. Breast cancer cells from patient were sorted using flow cytometry to select for cells that were ALDH+. Gene expression profiles of these cells were compared with profiles of ALDH- cells.
Project description:Stromal-epithelial interactions play a fundamental role in tissue homeostasis, controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. Not surprisingly, aberrant stromal-epithelial interactions contribute to malignancies. The goals and objectives of this study were 1.) to characterize and validate the molecular identity of human primary epithelial and stromal/mesenchymal breast cells maintained long-term in novel ex vivo culture conditions in serum free medium. 2.) To analyze changes in gene expression profiles of normal human primary epithelial and stromal/mesenchymal breast cells upon long-term ex vivo co-culture when compared to corresponding monocultures 3.) To study the dynamic reciprocity between normal human primary epithelial and stromal/mesenchymal breast cells. 4.) To identify critical molecular pathways and biomarkers controlling epithelial and/or stromal cell growth and quiescence. Human primary epithelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells bearing fluorescent tags were either co-cultured in novel ex vivo culture conditions on ECM coated meshes in serum free medium (M5) or cultured as monocultures in the same conditions for 30 days. The cultures were then dissociated and epithelial and stromal/mesenchymal cells from either co-cultures or monocultures separated by FACS. Gene expression profiling of epithelial or stromal/mesenchymal cells was performed. Clean gene expression profiles from three different epithelial and stromal/mesenchymal cell extracts either grown in co-cultures or monocultures were successfully obtained.
Project description:We report the gene expression profiles of normal epithelial and carcinoma cell populations that differ in their relative levels of integrin-beta 4 expression. ITGB4 high, mesenchymal subtype, triple-negative breast cancer cells were found to be more epithelial than related ITGB4 low cells.
Project description:Stromal-epithelial interactions play a fundamental role in tissue homeostasis, controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. The goals and objectives of this study were 1.) To generate gene expression profiles and identify signatures of freshly isolated, non-cultured, luminal epithelial or basal epithelial and CD10 positive or negative stromal cell populations from the human breast. 2.) Use the generated signatures to characterize and validate the molecular identity of human primary epithelial and stromal/mesenchymal breast cells maintained long-term in novel ex vivo culture conditions in serum free medium (previous study in our lab) Breast tissue from three different reduction mammoplasties was dissociated and single cells were labeled with antibodies against lineage markers (CD31, CD45 CD235ab), CD10, EpCAM, CD49f and DAPI. Different cell populations were identified, separated and sorted with a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Gene expression profiling of luminal epithelial (EpCAM+, CD49f+/-), basal epithelial (EPCAM-, CD49f+), CD10 negative and CD10 positive stromal cells was performed and distinct gene expression signatures for the four cell populations were identified.
Project description:It has been suggested that breast cancers are driven and maintained by a cellular subpopulation with stem cell properties. These breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) mediate metastasis and by virtue of their resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, contribute to relapse. Although several BCSC markers have been described, it is unclear whether these markers identify the same or independent BCSC populations. Based on established breast cancer cell lines, as well as primary tumor samples and xenografts, we show that BCSCs exist in distinct mesenchymal-like (epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT) and epithelial-like (mesenchymal-epithelial transition, MET) states characterized by expression of distinct markers, proliferative capacity and invasive characteristics. The gene expression profiles of mesenchymal-like and epithelial-like BCSCs are remarkably similar across the different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and resemble those of distinct basal and luminal stem cells found in the normal breast. We propose that the plasticity of BCSCs allowing them to transition between EMT- and MET-like states endows these cells with the capacity for tissue invasion, dissemination and growth at metastatic sites.
Project description:It has been suggested that breast cancers are driven and maintained by a cellular subpopulation with stem cell properties. These breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) mediate metastasis and by virtue of their resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, contribute to relapse. Although several BCSC markers have been described, it is unclear whether these markers identify the same or independent BCSC populations. Based on established breast cancer cell lines, as well as primary tumor xenografts, we show that BCSCs exist in distinct mesenchymal-like (epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT) and epithelial-like (mesenchymal-epithelial transition, MET) states characterized by expression of distinct markers, proliferative capacity and invasive characteristics. The gene expression profiles of mesenchymal-like and epithelial-like BCSCs are remarkably similar across the different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and resemble those of distinct basal and luminal stem cells found in the normal breast. We propose that the plasticity of BCSCs allowing them to transition between EMT- and MET-like states endows these cells with the capacity for tissue invasion, dissemination and growth at metastatic sites.
Project description:Human breast samples were obtained from eight women with pathologically normal breast tissue and from three women with BRCA2 mutations. Total RNA was extracted from sorted luminal progenitor (Lin?/CD29lo/CD24+), mature luminal (Lin?/CD29hi/CD24+), basal and stromal cell populations.
Project description:Data were used for study of changes in gene expressions in breast primary tumour of patients with circulating tumour cells positive on mesenchymal marker (CTC EMT). Study aimed to identify signaling pathways associated with the presence of CTC_EMT in PBC patients. This translational study included 17 patients with PBC and 5 donors of normal breast tissue. CTC_EMT were detected before surgery by quantitative RT-PCR assay for expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes (TWIST1, SNAIL1, SLUG, ZEB1). Total RNA was extracted, in parallel, from the fresh frozen primary tumor and whole-transcriptome profiles were obtained using RNA sequencing and by microarray. RNA-seqquencing version of same samples has been submitted to SRA (BioSaples accessions are provided here). Also data under BioProject PRJNA751534 originate from the same samples.
Project description:Global proteomic profiling of three mammary epithelial cell types in normal human breast tissue. Primary breast specimens were obtained from 10 women undergoing reduction mammoplasties. Clinical co-variates include age (28-67), hormone status (follicular, luteal, post-menopausal) and mammary epithelial cell type (basal, luminal progenitor, mature luminal).