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Quantification of Self-renewal in Murine Mammosphere Cultures
Published on: November 26, 2019
A method for quantifying normal human mammary epithelial stem cells with in vivo regenerative ability
Peter Eirew1, John Stingl, Afshin Raouf
1Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 675 West Tenth Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Nature Medicine
|November 26, 2008
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to detect rare human mammary stem cells in tissue samples. This technique uses immunodeficient mice to identify and quantify these vital cells for further study.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Human tissue regeneration
- Cancer research
Background:
- Normal mouse mammary tissue harbors rare mammary stem cells.
- Previous methods for identifying human mammary stem cells were limited.
- Understanding human mammary stem cells is crucial for cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for detecting and quantifying human mammary stem cells.
- To establish an in vivo assay for human mammary stem cell activity.
- To enable further investigation into the regulation of human mammary stem cells.
Main Methods:
- Dissociated human mammary cells and fibroblasts were suspended in collagen gels.
- Gels were implanted under the kidney capsule of hormone-treated immunodeficient mice.
- Mammary epithelial structures and clonogenic progenitors were analyzed after 2-8 weeks.
Main Results:
- The assay successfully regenerated bilayered mammary epithelial structures, including luminal and myoepithelial cells.
- Clonogenic progenitors were identified, serving as indicators of mammary stem cell activity.
- Limiting-dilution analysis allowed for the determination of human mammary stem cell frequency and phenotype.
Conclusions:
- A new in vivo assay effectively detects and quantifies human mammary stem cells.
- This method provides an objective measure of mammary stem cell activity.
- The assay facilitates future research on normal and cancerous human mammary stem cells.
