Publications

Here is a selection of publications where different laminin isoforms were used to create more authentic cell culture systems.

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  • Laminin and b1 Integrins Are Crucial for Normal Mammary Gland Development in the Mouse

    Klinowska T.C.M., Soriano J.V., Edwards G.M., Oliver J.M., Valentijn A.J., Montesano R., Streuli C.H.Developmental Biology, 1999

    Here, the authors examine the role of integrin-extracellular matrix interactions in the morphogenesis of ductal structures in vivo (mouse). End buds are surrounded by a basement membrane, which is shown to contain laminin-111 and collagen IV. Blocking B1 integrins dramatically reduced both the number of end buds per gland and the extent of the mammary ductal network, compared with controls. These effects were specific to the end buds since the rest of the gland architecture remained intact. Similar results were obtained with anti-laminin antibodies. In contrast, no effect on morphogenesis in vivo was seen with anti-a6 integrin antibody, suggesting that a6 is not the important partner for b1 in this system. They also show that integrins and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) cooperate to regulate ductal morphogenesis. We propose that both laminin and b1 integrins are required to permit cellular traction through the stromal matrix and are therefore essential for maintaining end bud structure and function in normal pubertal mammary gland development.

  • Regulation of mammary gland branching morphogenesis by the extracellular matrix and its remodeling enzymes

    Fata J.E., Werb Z. Bissell M.JBreast Cancer Res 2004

    A considerable body of research indicates that mammary gland branching morphogenesis is dependent, in part, on the extracellular matrix, affecting cell survival, polarity, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and migration. However, the precise mechanisms of ECM-directed mammary morphogenesis are not well understood and is discussed in this review. Mammary morphogenesis involves epithelial invasion of adipose tissue, a process akin to invasion by breast cancer cells, although the former is a highly regulated developmental process. How these morphogenic pathways are integrated into the normal gland and how they become dysregulated and subverted in the progression of breast cancer also remain largely unanswered questions.

  • Cell–Matrix Interactions in Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer

    Muschler J., Streuli C.H.Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol., 2010

    Here, the authors argue that the interactions between mammary epithelial cells and their extracellular matrix (ECM) are crucial in the development and function of the tissue. Current strategies for treating breast cancer take advantage of our knowledge of the endocrine regulation and stromal–epithelial interactions. In addition, focusing on the microenvironmental influences that arise from cell-matrix interactions may open new opportunities for therapeutic intervention, suggesting a treatment where endocrine, growth factor, and cell-matrix interactions are targeted.

  • Extracellular matrix in mammary gland development and breast cancer progression

    Hu G., Li L., Xu W.Frontiers in Laboratory Medicine, 2017

    The extracellular matrix is one of the essential components of the breast tumor microenvironment, in which the development and progression require extensive reorganization of ECM. In this review, the authors summarized recent findings on functions of ECM microenvironment in mammary gland development, tumor growth, invasion, migration, and metastasis, focusing on the functions of cancer cell-derived ECM in tumor progression.

  • Laminin alpha 5 is Necessary for Mammary Epithelial Growth and Function by Maintaining Luminal Epithelial Cell Identity

    Englund J.I., Cojoc H., Blaas L., Ritchie A., Pentinmikko N., Döhla J., Munne P., Patarroyo M., Klefström J., Ivaska J., Katajisto P.

    Here, the authors demonstrate that the expression of distinct laminin α-isoforms by luminal and basal mammary epithelial cells enforces lineage identity that is necessary for normal mammary gland growth and function. α5 chain laminin isoforms are mainly expressed by the luminal epithelial cells, and it is necessary for pubertal mammary gland growth, pregnancy-induced gland remodeling, and for alveolar function. Adhesion to α5 chain containing laminin promotes luminal traits in both luminal and basal epithelial cells and reduces progenitor activity of basal epithelial cells. Mechanistically, we show that loss of α5 chan laminins interferes with the differentiation of hormone receptor-positive luminal cells, which results in reduced Wnt4 expression and defective crosstalk between luminal and basal epithelial cells during gland remodeling. Our results reveal a novel BM-mediated mechanism, which regulates mammary gland remodeling and function via the specification of luminal epithelial cells.

  • Integrin-dependent response to laminin-511 regulates breast tumor cell invasion and metastasis

    Kusuma N., Denoyer D., Eble J.A., Redvers R.P., Parker B.S., Pelzer R. Anderson R.L., Pouliot N.International Journal of Cancer, 2011

    Laminin-511 is a potent adhesive and migratory substrate for metastatic breast tumor cells in vitro and its expression correlates with tumor grade and metastatic potential in vivo. Here the authors compared the metastatic potential of 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells to that of 4T1 variants isolated by repeated chemotactic migration toward LM-511 in vitro (4T1LMF4) followed by serial injection into the mammary gland and recovery of spontaneous metastases from the bone (4T1BM2). Variant subpopulations exhibited a distinct morphology on LM-511 and increased expression of b1 and b4 integrins compared to parental 4T1 cells. Importantly, mice inoculated with 4T1LMF4 and 4T1BM2 variants showed a 2.5- to 4-fold increase in the incidence of spontaneous metastasis to bone compared to 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Functionally, 4T1BM2 variants were more adherent and more invasive toward LM-511 than parental 4T1 cells. Treatment of 4T1BM2 cells with lebein-1, a dis-integrin with selectivity toward LM-type integrin receptors, potently inhibited their migration and invasion toward LM-511. Similarly, a3b1 integrin-dependent migration and invasion of human MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells toward LM-511 were significantly inhibited by lebein-1. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that LM-511 contributes to the metastasis of breast tumors and suggest that targeting integrin-LM- 511 interactions with lebein-1 or other inhibitors of LM-511 receptors may have therapeutic potential for patients with advanced breast cancer.

  • Modifications in the basement membrane supramolecular structure of type IV collagen and laminin 5 organization facilitates skin derivative formation

    Alfayez M.Biomedical Research, 2010

    It has been suggested that laminin-332 is involved in the initiation of mammary gland development whilst laminin-511 is needed for maintaining the mammary bud down-growth into the dermis. In this study, the authors examine the proposed role(s) of the basement membrane proteins and their receptors during skin development using dissected mammary gland as a model. The pattern of expression of these molecules during skin formation was examined, utilizing collagen IV, laminin 5 and β4 or α6 integrin antibodies. The results suggest that these supramolecular structures play important roles in skin derivative development, more specifically mammary gland formation, and ease their resistance to skin derivatives down growth (invasion) into the underlying tissue.

  • Laminin-111 and the Level of Nuclear Actin Regulate Epithelial Quiescence via Exportin-6

    Fiore A.P.Z.P, Spencer V.A., Mori H., Carvalho H.F., Bissell M.J., Bruni-Cardoso A.Cell Reports, 2017

    N-actin levels control transcription and proliferation of normal mammary cells. Here, the authors show that laminin 111 (LN111) induces a drastic decrease of nuclear actin in human mammary epithelial cells in a process mediated by XPO6 and required for the acquisition of cellular quiescence. LN1111 attenuates PI3K, leading to the upregulation of XPO6 activity. The LN111/XPO6/N-actin pathway is abnormal in malignant cells that are unresponsive to LN111 and proliferate uncontrollably.

  • Evidence for a Role of Tumor-Derived Laminin-511 in the Metastatic Progression of Breast Cancer

    Chia J., Kusuma N., Anderson R., Parker B., Bidwell b., Zamurs L., Nice E., Pouliot N. The American Journal of Pathology, 2007

    Here, the authors investigate the expression and function of alpha5 chain-containing laminins, laminin-521 and laminin-511, during metastatic progression. Expression of laminin-511/laminin-521 subunits was examined in genetically related breast tumor lines and corresponding primary tumors and metastases in a syngeneic mouse model. The results indicate that laminin-511 rather than laminin-111, -332, or -521 correlates with metastatic potential in mouse mammary tumors. Current evidence argues against a direct role for laminin-111 and laminin-332 in the late-stage progression of breast tumors because both isoforms are down-regulated in most advanced breast tumors, suggesting a tumor-suppressing role and it is unlikely that these isoforms are used directly by breast tumor cells to promote invasion and metastasis. Laminin-511 was a potent adhesive substrate for both murine and human breast carcinoma cells and promoted strong haptotactic responses in metastatic lines. Haptotaxis was mediated by alpha3 integrin in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and was strongly inhibited by blocking antibodies against this integrin subunit. However, whereas nonmetastatic MCF-7 cells migrated toward laminin-511 (primarily via a3β1 integrin), results suggest that this response is mediated by an as yet unidentified a3β integrin heterodimer in MDA-MB-231 cells. These results are consistent with earlier reports implicating a3 integrins in breast cancer progression and support the role of laminin-511 as a functional substrate regulating breast cancer metastasis.