BMP-binding protein twisted gastrulation is required in mammary gland epithelium for normal ductal elongation and myoepithelial compartmentalization

Cynthia L. Forsman, Brandon C. Ng, Rachel K. Heinze, Claire Kuo, Consolato Sergi, Rajaram Gopalakrishnan, Douglas Yee, Daniel Graf, Kathryn L. Schwertfeger, Anna Petryk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are involved in embryonic mammary gland (MG) development and can be dysregulated in breast cancer. However, the role BMPs play in the postnatal MG remains virtually unknown. BMPs are potent morphogens that are involved in cell fate determination, proliferation, apoptosis and adult tissue homeostasis. Twisted gastrulation (TWSG1) is a secreted BMP binding protein that modulates BMP ligand availability in the extracellular space. Here we investigate the consequences of TWSG1 deletion on development of the postnatal MG. At puberty, Twsg1 is expressed in the myoepithelium and in a subset of body cells of the terminal end buds. In the mature duct, Twsg1 expression is primarily restricted to the myoepithelial layer. Global deletion of Twsg1 leads to a delay in ductal elongation, reduced secondary branching, enlarged terminal end buds, and occluded lumens. This is associated with an increase in luminal epithelial cell number and a decrease in apoptosis. In the MG, pSMAD1/5/8 level and the expression of BMP target genes are reduced, consistent with a decrease in BMP signaling. GATA-3, which is required for luminal identity, is reduced in Twsg1-/- MGs, which may explain why K14 positive cells, which are normally restricted to the myoepithelial layer, are found within the luminal compartment and shed into the lumen. In summary, regulation of BMP signaling by TWSG1 is required for normal ductal elongation, branching of the ductal tree, lumen formation, and myoepithelial compartmentalization in the postnatal MG.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)95-106
Number of pages12
JournalDevelopmental Biology
Volume373
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors thank Brian Schmidt, T.J. Beadnell and Johanna Reed for technical assistance. We also thank Charles Billington Jr. for assistance with graphics, statistical analyses and helpful conversations. This project was supported by the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Predoctoral Fellowship BC100263 to C.L.F., R01 DE016601 to A.P., Minnesota Medical Foundation # 4064-9201-11 to A.P., Viking Children's Fund grant-in-aid of research to A.P., and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) to B.C.N and R.K.H.; C.K. was supported by the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry Summer Research Fellowship .

Keywords

  • BMP
  • Breast
  • Mammary gland development
  • Myoepithelium
  • TWSG1

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