Developmental stage and time dictate the fate of Wnt/β-catenin-responsive stem cells in the mammary gland.

TitleDevelopmental stage and time dictate the fate of Wnt/β-catenin-responsive stem cells in the mammary gland.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
Authorsvan Amerongen R, Bowman AN, Nusse R
JournalCell stem cell
Volume11
Issue3
Pagination387-400
Date Published2012 Sep 7
ISSN1934-5909
AbstractThe mammary epithelium undergoes extensive growth and remodeling during pregnancy, suggesting a role for stem cells. Yet their origin, identity, and behavior in the intact tissue remain unknown. Using an Axin2(CreERT2) allele, we labeled and traced Wnt/β-catenin-responsive cells throughout mammary gland development. This reveals a switch in Wnt/β-catenin signaling around birth and shows that, depending on the developmental stage, Axin2(+) cells contribute differently to basal and luminal epithelial cell lineages of the mammary epithelium. Moreover, an important difference exists between the developmental potential tested in transplantation assays and that displayed by the same cell population in situ. Finally, Axin2(+) cells in the adult build alveolar structures during multiple pregnancies, demonstrating the existence of a Wnt/β-catenin-responsive adult stem cell. Our study uncovers dynamic changes in Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the mammary epithelium and offers insights into the developmental fate of mammary gland stem and progenitor cells.
URLhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1934-5909(12)00342-6
DOI10.1016/j.stem.2012.05.023
Short TitleCell Stem Cell