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Gene expression analysis in SV40-immortalized human breast luminal epithelial cells with stem cell characteristics
Joon-Suk Park1, Dong-Young Noh, Seok-Hyun Kim
1Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tumor Biology, Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
International Journal of Oncology
|May 13, 2004
Summary
Immortalizing human breast epithelial cells (HBECs) with stem cell traits reveals molecular changes. These alterations in gene expression may represent early steps in the development of certain breast cancers.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
- Genomics
Background:
- Human breast epithelium contains two cell types: Type I (luminal, stem characteristics) and Type II (basal).
- Most invasive breast cancers resemble Type I (luminal) cells.
- Simian virus 40-immortalized cell lines were derived from normal Type I HBECs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify molecular changes associated with the immortalization of normal Type I human breast epithelial cells (HBECs).
- To investigate the potential role of these changes in early breast cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Differential gene expression analysis using cDNA microarray (7,448 genes).
- Analysis of normal and immortalized Type I HBECs.
- Confirmation of gene expression changes using semiquantitative RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Identified 148 genes with significant expression changes (>2.0-fold) during immortalization.
- 67 genes (e.g., MYBL2, UCHL1) were upregulated, and 81 genes (e.g., IGFBP3, CDKN1A) were downregulated.
- Consistent gene expression changes were observed in both Type I (67 genes) and Type II (86 genes) HBECs.
Conclusions:
- Immortalization of Type I HBECs involves significant alterations in gene expression.
- These molecular changes may signify an early event in a subset of breast cancers.
- The findings provide insights into breast stem cell biology and tumor initiation.