Enrichment of a population of mammary gland cells that form mammospheres and have in vivo repopulating activity

Mai Jing Liao, Cheng Zhang Cheng, Beiyan Zhou, Drazen B. Zimonjic, Sendurai A. Mani, Megan Kaba, Ann Gifford, Ferenc Reinhardt, Nicholas C. Popescu, Wenjun Guo, Ng Eaton Elinor, Harvey F. Lodish, Robert A. Weinberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

155 Scopus citations

Abstract

The identification of mammary gland stem cells (MGSC) or progenitors is important for the study of normal breast development and tumorigenesis. Based on their immunophenotype, we have isolated a population of mouse mammary gland cells that are capable of forming "mammospheres" in vitro. Importantly, mammospheres are enriched for cells that regenerate an entire mammary gland on implantation into a mammary fat pad. We also undertook cytogenetic analyses of mammosphere-forming cells after prolonged culture, which provided preliminary insight into the genomic stability of these cells. Our identification of newcell surface markers for enriching mammosphere-initiating cells, including endoglin and prion protein, will facilitate the elucidation of the cell biology of MGSC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8131-8138
Number of pages8
JournalCancer research
Volume67
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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