Project description:Cancer prevention has a profound impact on cancer-associated mortality and morbidity. We previously identified TGFβ signaling as a candidate regulator of mammary epithelial cells associated with breast cancer risk. Here, we show that short-term TGFBR inhibitor (TGFBRi) treatment of peripubertal ACI inbred and Sprague Dawley outbred rats induces lasting changes and prevents estrogen- and carcinogen-induced mammary tumors, respectively. We identify TGFBRi-responsive cell populations by single cell RNA-sequencing, including a unique epithelial subpopulation designated secretory basal cells (SBCs) with progenitor features. We detect SBCs in normal human breast tissues and find them to be associated with breast cancer risk. Interactome analysis identifies SBCs as the most interactive cell population and the main source of insulin-IGF signaling. Accordingly, inhibition of TGFBR and IGF1R decrease proliferation of organoid cultures. Our results reveal a critical role for TGFβ in regulating mammary epithelial cells relevant to breast cancer and serve as a proof-of-principle cancer prevention strategy.
Project description:The effect at short term (48 hours) of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), TGFβ or TGFβ + anti-Lif stimulation on the human primary dermal fibroblast (hDF) transcriptome was analyzed by whole genome microarray expression profiling.
Project description:Limited term administration of tamoxifen for 2-8 years results in long-term prevention of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer as demonstrated in several clinical trials. How the memory of tamoxifen is initiated and maintained, as well as which cells are involved and what molecular messages are transmitted, is undefined. Understanding these features of this robust chemopreventive agent will lead to significant advancement in our knowledge of how a healthy breast environment is supported. The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular message that reflects a long-term and efficacious memory of tamoxifen. We used microarrays to identify genes with a significant long-term alteration in expression level following a short-term exposure to tamoxifen as a chemopreventive.
Project description:Study of the short term (within the first 330 seconds) transcriptional response of S.cerevisiae upon a sudden addition of glucose. Keywords: glucose pulse, chemostat culture, glucose catabolite repression