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Lan Q, Trela E, Lindström R, Satta JP, Kaczyńska B, Christensen MM, Holzenberger M, Jernvall J, Mikkola ML. Mesenchyme instructs growth while epithelium directs branching in the mouse mammary gland. eLife 2024; 13:e93326. [PMID: 38441552 PMCID: PMC10959526 DOI: 10.7554/elife.93326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The mammary gland is a unique organ that undergoes dynamic alterations throughout a female's reproductive life, making it an ideal model for developmental, stem cell and cancer biology research. Mammary gland development begins in utero and proceeds via a quiescent bud stage before the initial outgrowth and subsequent branching morphogenesis. How mammary epithelial cells transit from quiescence to an actively proliferating and branching tissue during embryogenesis and, importantly, how the branch pattern is determined remain largely unknown. Here, we provide evidence indicating that epithelial cell proliferation and onset of branching are independent processes, yet partially coordinated by the Eda signaling pathway. Through heterotypic and heterochronic epithelial-mesenchymal recombination experiments between mouse mammary and salivary gland tissues and ex vivo live imaging, we demonstrate that unlike previously concluded, the mode of branching is an intrinsic property of the mammary epithelium whereas the pace of growth and the density of ductal tree are determined by the mesenchyme. Transcriptomic profiling and ex vivo and in vivo functional studies in mice disclose that mesenchymal Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, and in particular IGF-1 downstream of it critically regulate mammary gland growth. These results underscore the general need to carefully deconstruct the different developmental processes producing branched organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Lan
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Ewelina Trela
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Riitta Lindström
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Jyoti Prabha Satta
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Beata Kaczyńska
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Mona M Christensen
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | | | - Jukka Jernvall
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Marja L Mikkola
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
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Luciano M, Versaevel M, Kalukula Y, Gabriele S. Mechanoresponse of Curved Epithelial Monolayers Lining Bowl-Shaped 3D Microwells. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2203377. [PMID: 37820698 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The optimal functioning of many organs relies on the curved architecture of their epithelial tissues. However, the mechanoresponse of epithelia to changes in curvature remains misunderstood. Here, bowl-shaped microwells in hydrogels are designed via photopolymerization to faithfully replicate the shape and dimensions of lobular structures. Leveraging these hydrogel-based microwells, curved epithelial monolayers are engineered, and how in-plane and Gaussian curvatures at the microwell entrance influence epithelial behavior is investigated. Cells and nuclei around the microwell edge display a more pronounced centripetal orientation as the in-plane curvature decreases, and enhanced cell straightness and speed. Moreover, cells reorganize their actin cytoskeleton by forming a supracellular actin cable at the microwell edge, with its size becoming more pronounced as the in-plane curvature decreases. The Gaussian curvature at the microwell entrance enhances the maturation of the supracellular actin cable architecture and leads to a vertical orientation of nuclei toward the bottom of the microwell. Increasing Gaussian curvature results in flattened and elongated nuclear morphologies characterized by highly compacted chromatin states. This approach provides better understanding of the mechanoresponse of curved epithelial monolayers curvatures lining lobular structures. In addition, bowl-shaped microwells offer a powerful platform to study curvature-dependent mechanotransduction pathways in anatomically relevant 3D structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Luciano
- Mechanobiology & Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, Mons, B-7000, Belgium
| | - Marie Versaevel
- Mechanobiology & Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, Mons, B-7000, Belgium
| | - Yohalie Kalukula
- Mechanobiology & Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, Mons, B-7000, Belgium
| | - Sylvain Gabriele
- Mechanobiology & Biomaterials Group, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, Mons, B-7000, Belgium
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Satta JP, Lan Q, Taketo MM, Mikkola ML. Stabilization of Epithelial β-Catenin Compromises Mammary Cell Fate Acquisition and Branching Morphogenesis. J Invest Dermatol 2023:S0022-202X(23)03201-3. [PMID: 38159590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a critical role in cell fate specification, morphogenesis, and stem cell activation across diverse tissues, including the skin. In mammals, the embryonic surface epithelium gives rise to the epidermis as well as the associated appendages including hair follicles and mammary glands, both of which depend on epithelial Wnt/β-catenin activity for initiation of their development. Later on, Wnts are thought to enhance mammary gland growth and branching, whereas in hair follicles, they are essential for hair shaft formation. In this study, we report a strong downregulation of epithelial Wnt/β-catenin activity as the mammary bud progresses to branching. We show that forced activation of epithelial β-catenin severely compromises embryonic mammary gland branching. However, the phenotype of conditional Lef1-deficient embryos implies that a low level of Wnt/β-catenin activity is necessary for mammary cell survival. Transcriptomic profiling suggests that sustained high β-catenin activity leads to maintenance of mammary bud gene signature at the expense of outgrowth/branching gene signature. In addition, it leads to upregulation of epidermal differentiation genes. Strikingly, we find a partial switch to hair follicle fate early on upon stabilization of β-catenin, suggesting that the level of epithelial Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity may contribute to the choice between skin appendage identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Prabha Satta
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (HILIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Qiang Lan
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (HILIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Makoto Mark Taketo
- Colon Cancer Project, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Marja L Mikkola
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (HILIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Huycke TR, Miyazaki H, Häkkinen TJ, Srivastava V, Barruet E, McGinnis CS, Kalantari A, Cornwall-Scoones J, Vaka D, Zhu Q, Jo H, DeGrado WF, Thomson M, Garikipati K, Boffelli D, Klein OD, Gartner ZJ. Patterning and folding of intestinal villi by active mesenchymal dewetting. bioRxiv 2023:2023.06.25.546328. [PMID: 37425793 PMCID: PMC10326967 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.25.546328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Tissue folding generates structural motifs critical to organ function. In the intestine, bending of a flat epithelium into a periodic pattern of folds gives rise to villi, the numerous finger-like protrusions that are essential for nutrient absorption. However, the molecular and mechanical mechanisms driving the initiation and morphogenesis of villi remain a matter of debate. Here, we identify an active mechanical mechanism that simultaneously patterns and folds intestinal villi. We find that PDGFRA+ subepithelial mesenchymal cells generate myosin II-dependent forces sufficient to produce patterned curvature in neighboring tissue interfaces. At the cell-level, this occurs through a process dependent upon matrix metalloproteinase-mediated tissue fluidization and altered cell-ECM adhesion. By combining computational models with in vivo experiments, we reveal these cellular features manifest at the tissue-level as differences in interfacial tensions that promote mesenchymal aggregation and interface bending through a process analogous to the active de-wetting of a thin liquid film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler R. Huycke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Equal contribution
| | - Hikaru Miyazaki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Equal contribution
| | - Teemu J. Häkkinen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Equal contribution
| | - Vasudha Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emilie Barruet
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christopher S. McGinnis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ali Kalantari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jake Cornwall-Scoones
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Dedeepya Vaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Qin Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hyunil Jo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - William F. DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matt Thomson
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Krishna Garikipati
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, and Mathematics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Dario Boffelli
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Ophir D. Klein
- Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Zev J. Gartner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Abstract
Migration of single adherent cells is frequently observed in the developing and adult organism and has been the subject of many studies. Yet, while elegant work has elucidated molecular and mechanical cues affecting motion dynamics on a flat surface, it remains less clear how cells migrate in a 3D setting. In this review, we explore the changing parameters encountered by cells navigating through a 3D microenvironment compared to cells crawling on top of a 2D surface, and how these differences alter subcellular structures required for propulsion. We further discuss how such changes at the micro-scale impact motion pattern at the macro-scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pawluchin
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany,Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre, University of Münster, Münster, Germany,CIM-IMRPS Graduate Program, Münster, Germany
| | - Milos Galic
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany,Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre, University of Münster, Münster, Germany,*Correspondence: Milos Galic,
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