Image-based evaluation of the molecular events underlying HC11 mammary epithelial cell differentiation

Molecular complexity of mammary glands development: a review of lactogenic differentiation in epithelial cells

The mammary gland is a dynamic organ with various physiological processes like cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis during the pregnancy-lactation-involution cycle. It is essential to understand the molecular changes during the lactogenic differentiation of mammary epithelial cells (MECs, the milk-synthesizing cells). The MECs are organized as luminal milk-secreting cells and basal myoepithelial cells (responsible for milk ejection by contraction) that form the alveoli. The branching morphogenesis and lactogenic differentiation of the MECs prepare the gland for lactation. This process is governed by many molecular mediators including hormones, growth factors, cytokines, miRNAs, regulatory proteins, etc. Interestingly, various signalling pathways guide lactation and understanding these molecular transitions from pregnancy to lactation will help researchers design further research. Manipulation of genes responsible for milk synthesis and secretion will promote augmentation of milk yield in dairy animals. Identifying protein signatures of lactation will help develop strategies for persistent lactation and shortening the dry period in farm animals. The present review article discusses in details the physiological and molecular changes occurring during lactogenic differentiation of MECs and the associated hormones, regulatory proteins, miRNAs, and signalling pathways. An in-depth knowledge of the molecular events will aid in developing engineered cellular models for studies related to mammary gland diseases of humans and animals.

Culturing of primary bovine mammary epithelial cells and validation of biotransformation capacity in experiments with enrofloxacin

Many drugs and toxic compounds are subjected to disposition and metabolism in bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs). For rapid investigation of different compounds and their possible interactions, validated in vitro models are needed. Therefore, the first objective of described experiments was to develop the techniques for cell isolation, purification and culturing of bMECs. The second objective was the application of these cell cultures in a well-known substrate for one of the major biotransformation enzymes in epithelial cells. To this end, the metabolism of enrofloxacin (ENR) into its active metabolite ciprofloxacin (CPR), was studied. This conversion is known to be catalysed by enzymes of the cytochrome P4501A and P4503A family. The expression profile of these enzymes shows a close correlation with cellular ABC-efflux transporters. Primary bMECs were isolated from healthy udders of lactating cows (n=5 animals). mRNA levels of α-casein, b-lactoferrin and cyclophilin B were determined as markers of cell identity of purity of the cultures. Subsequently, bMECs cultures were incubated with ENR (10 µM). Concentrations of ENR and its main metabolite CPR in the medium and in the cells were determined by HPLC-FL analysis. Gene expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, bovine ABCG2 was detected by qRT-PCR. Results showed that ENR penetrated into bMECs and was converted to CPR. CPR was excreted in the medium suggesting participation of ABCG2 in fluoroquinolone efflux. In conclusion, the data showed that the established bMEC cultures expressed major CYP450 enzymes as well as the most relevant efflux transport ABGG2. This model should be further validated and can serve as an interesting model for further studies on site-specific drug/toxin metabolism and transport in the bovine mammary gland.

Follistatin could promote the proliferation of duck primary myoblasts by activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling

FST (follistatin) is essential for skeletal muscle development, but the intracellular signalling networks that regulate FST-induced effects are not well defined. We sought to investigate whether FST promotes the proliferation of myoblasts through the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt (protein kinase B)/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signalling. In the present study, we transfected the pEGFP-duFST plasmid and added PI3K and mTOR inhibitors to the medium of duck primary myoblasts. Then, we analysed the cellular phenotypic changes that occurred and analysed the expression of target genes. The results showed that FST promoted myoblast proliferation, induced the mRNA expression of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6K (S6 kinase) and the protein expression of phospho-Akt (Thr³⁰⁸), mTOR, phospho-mTOR (serine 2448), phospho-S6K (Ser⁴¹⁷), inhibited the mRNA expression of FoxO1, MuRF1 (muscle RING finger-1) and the protein expression of phospho-FoxO1 (Ser²⁵⁶). Moreover, we found that the overexpression of FST could alleviate the inhibitory effect of myoblast proliferation caused by the addition of LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. Additionally, the overexpression of duck FST also relieved the inhibition of myoblast proliferation caused by the addition of rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling. In light of the present results, we hypothesize that duck FST could promote myoblast proliferation, which is dependent on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling.