Determining mammosphere-forming potential: application of the limiting dilution analysis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Cell Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• The nonadherent mammosphere assay is adapted from the neurosphere assay.
• It assesses early progenitor/stem cell frequency in mammary epithelial cells.
• It also measures tumorsphere initiating cells in tumors and cell lines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the use and benefit of limiting dilution analysis.
• To standardize quantification and analysis of sphere growth in the mammosphere assay.

Main Methods:

• Nonadherent mammosphere assay.
• Limiting dilution analysis for quantifying sphere-forming frequency.
• Primary mammary epithelial cells grown in nonadherent conditions.

Main Results:

• Limiting dilution analysis offers a standardized method for quantifying sphere formation.
• This method is beneficial for analyzing mammary stem cell frequency.

Conclusions:

• A standardized method for quantifying mammosphere growth is needed.
• Limiting dilution analysis provides a robust approach for this quantification.