Background: The terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU) is the most dynamic structure in the human breast and the putative site of origin of human breast cancer. Although stromal cells contribute to a specialized microenvironment in many organs, this component remains largely understudied in the human breast. We here demonstrate the impact on epithelium of two lineages of breast stromal fibroblasts, one of which accumulates in the TDLU while the other resides outside the TDLU in the interlobular stroma. Methods: The two lineages are prospectively isolated by FACS based on different expression levels of CD105 and CD26. The characteristics of the two fibroblast lineages are assessed by immunocytochemical staining and gene expression analysis. The differentiation capacity of the two fibroblast populations is determined by exposure to specific differentiating conditions followed by analysis of adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. To test whether the two fibroblast lineages are functionally imprinted by their site of origin, single cell sorted CD271low/MUC1high normal breast luminal epithelial cells are plated on fibroblast feeders for the observation of morphological development. Epithelial structure formation and polarization is shown by immunofluorescence and digitalized quantification of immunoperoxidase stained cultures. Results: Lobular fibroblasts are CD105high/CD26low while interlobular fibroblasts are CD105low/CD26high. Once isolated the two lineages remain phenotypically stable and functionally distinct in culture. Lobular fibroblasts have properties in common with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and they specifically convey growth and branching morphogenesis of epithelial progenitors. Conclusions: Two distinct functionally specialized fibroblast lineages exist in the normal human breast, of which the lobular fibroblasts have properties in common with mesenchymal stem cells and support epithelial growth and morphogenesis. We propose that lobular fibroblasts constitute a specialized microenvironment for human breast luminal epithelial progenitors, i.e. the putative precursors of breast cancer.
Evidence of two distinct functionally specialized fibroblast lineages in breast stroma.
Specimen part
View SamplesCurcumin, a yellow pigment extracted from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa (turmeric) has been widely used as a spice and herbal medicine in Asia. It has been suggested to have many biological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, chemopreventive, and anti-neurodegenerative properties. We evaluated the impact of curcumin on lifespan, fecundity, feeding rate, oxidative stress, locomotion and gene expression in two different wild type Drosophila melanogaster strains, Canton-S and Ives, under two different experimental conditions. We report that curcumin extended the lifespan of two different strains of Drosophila and was accompanied by protection against oxidative stress, improvement in locomotion and chemopreventive effects. Curcumin also modulated the expression of several aging related genes (genes with age-dependent changes in gene expression) such as mth, thor, InR, and JNK.
Curcumin extends life span, improves health span, and modulates the expression of age-associated aging genes in Drosophila melanogaster.
Sex, Age
View SamplesComparative analysis of cerebellar gene expression changes occurring in Sca1154Q/2Q and Sca7266Q/5Q knock-in mice
The insulin-like growth factor pathway is altered in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 and type 7.
Sex, Age
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Identification of a novel PPARβ/δ/miR-21-3p axis in UV-induced skin inflammation.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesAlthough excessive exposure to UV is widely recognized as a major factor leading to skin perturbations and cancer, the complex mechanisms underlying inflammatory skin disorders resulting from UV exposure remain incompletely characterized. The nuclear hormone receptor PPAR/ is known to control cutaneous repair and UV-induced cancer development. Here, we describe a novel PPAR/-dependent molecular cascade involving TGF-1 and miR-21-3p, which is activated in the epidermis in response to UV exposure. We establish that the passenger miRNA miR-21-3p, that we identify as a novel UV-induced miRNA in the epidermis, plays a pro-inflammatory function in keratinocytes, and that its high level of expression in human skin is associated with psoriasis and squamous cell carcinomas. Finally, we provide evidence that inhibition of miR-21-3p reduces UV-induced cutaneous inflammation in ex vivo human skin biopsies, thereby underlining the clinical relevance of miRNA-based topical therapies for cutaneous disorders.
Identification of a novel PPARβ/δ/miR-21-3p axis in UV-induced skin inflammation.
Specimen part
View SamplesAlthough excessive exposure to UV is widely recognized as a major factor leading to skin perturbations and cancer, the complex mechanisms underlying inflammatory skin disorders resulting from UV exposure remain incompletely characterized. The nuclear hormone receptor PPAR/ is known to control cutaneous repair and UV-induced cancer development. Here, we describe a novel PPAR/-dependent molecular cascade involving TGF-1 and miR-21-3p, which is activated in the epidermis in response to UV exposure. We establish that the passenger miRNA miR-21-3p, that we identify as a novel UV-induced miRNA in the epidermis, plays a pro-inflammatory function in keratinocytes, and that its high level of expression in human skin is associated with psoriasis and squamous cell carcinomas. Finally, we provide evidence that inhibition of miR-21-3p reduces UV-induced cutaneous inflammation in ex vivo human skin biopsies, thereby underlining the clinical relevance of miRNA-based topical therapies for cutaneous disorders.
Identification of a novel PPARβ/δ/miR-21-3p axis in UV-induced skin inflammation.
Cell line
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
The Gene Expression Barcode: leveraging public data repositories to begin cataloging the human and murine transcriptomes.
Treatment
View SamplesWe used yeast RNA to estimate background binding for each probe on the human U133 plus 2.0 array.
The Gene Expression Barcode: leveraging public data repositories to begin cataloging the human and murine transcriptomes.
Treatment
View SamplesWe hybridized yeast RNA to the mouse 430 2.0 array to estimate the background binding for each probe.
The Gene Expression Barcode: leveraging public data repositories to begin cataloging the human and murine transcriptomes.
Treatment
View SamplesIdentification of novel differentially expressed genes in human M1 and M2 macrophages using RNA-Seq Overall design: RNA-Seq was performed using RNA from M1 and M2-polarized macrophages from 4 biological replicates
Transcriptional profiling identifies novel regulators of macrophage polarization.
Specimen part, Subject
View Samples