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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

Published on: July 21, 2011

Inhibition of ductal morphogenesis in the mammary gland of WAP -fgf4 transgenic mice.

Simonetta Astigiano¹, Patrizia Damonte, Ottavia Barbieri

¹Unita Transgenici, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy, Simonetta.Astigiano@istge.it

Anatomy and Embryology

|April 23, 2003

Summary

Fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) inhibits apoptosis in mammary gland development and involution. This study shows FGF4 interferes with Bcl2 expression, impacting ductal morphogenesis and gland regression.

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Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Previous studies showed human FGF4 expression in murine mammary glands delays involution by inhibiting apoptosis.
The role of FGF4 during mammary gland development remained unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of WAP-Fgf4 transgene expression on mammary gland development.
To elucidate the mechanism by which FGF4 regulates apoptosis during mammary gland development and involution.

Main Methods:

Analysis of mammary gland development in WAP-Fgf4 transgenic mice from 4 weeks of age.
Assessment of ductal and lobuloalveolar morphogenesis.
Evaluation of apoptosis levels in terminal end buds.
Investigation of Bcl2 expression in relation to FGF4 activity.

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Isolation of Intact, Whole Mouse Mammary Glands for Analysis of Extracellular Matrix Expression and Gland Morphology

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Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

Published on: July 21, 2011

Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland

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Published on: October 30, 2017

Main Results:

WAP-Fgf4 expression initiated at 4 weeks, causing ductal development defects apparent by 5 weeks and persisting post-natally.
Defects were specific to ductal morphogenesis, not lobuloalveolar development.
A decrease in terminal end bud apoptosis was observed.
FGF4-mediated regulation of apoptosis during development and involution may involve inhibition of Bcl2 expression.

Conclusions:

FGF4 is a key regulator of mammary epithelial cell apoptosis during development (morphogenesis) and involution.
FGF4 may exert its effects by interfering with the Bcl2 pathway, impacting programmed cell death during critical developmental stages.