Stem/progenitor cells in non-lactating versus lactating equine mammary gland.
Abstract: The mammary gland is a highly regenerative organ that can undergo multiple cycles of proliferation, lactation, and involution. Based on the facts that (i) mammary stem/progenitor cells (MaSC) are proposed to be the driving forces behind mammary growth and function and (ii) variation exists between mammalian species with regard to physiological and pathological functioning of this organ, we believe that studying MaSC from different mammals is of great comparative interest. Over the years, important data has been gathered on MaSC of men and mice, although knowledge on MaSC in other mammals remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this work was to isolate and characterize MaSC from the mammary gland of horses. Hereby, our salient findings were that the isolated equine cells met the 2 in vitro hallmark properties of stem cells, namely the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Moreover, the cells were immunophenotyped using markers for CD29, CD44, CD49f, and Ki67. Finally, we propose the mammosphere assay as a valuable in vitro assay to study MaSC during different physiological phases since it was observed that equine lactating mammary gland contains significantly more mammosphere-initiating cells than the inactive, nonlactating gland (a reflection of MaSC self-renewal) and, moreover, that these spheres were significantly larger in size upon initial cultivation (a reflection of progenitor cell proliferation). Taken together, this study not only extends the current knowledge of mammary gland biology, but also benefits the comparative approach to study and compare MaSC in different mammalian species.
Publication Date: 2012-06-25 PubMed ID: 22574831DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0042Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research paper focuses on the isolation and characterization of stem/progenitor cells (MaSC) from the mammary gland of horses. This study further entrenches our knowledge of mammary gland biology and offers comparative insight on the physiological functioning of this organ across different mammalian species.
Objective of the Research
- This paper’s primary goal was to isolate and characterize mammary stem/progenitor cells (MaSC) from horse’s mammary gland. The researchers believed that studying MaSC’s from mammals of different species would provide a comparative perspective on the physiological and pathological functioning of the mammary gland.
Findings of the Study
- The researchers found that the equine cells they isolated exhibited the two in vitro hallmark properties of stem cells. These are the ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell lineages.
- Immunophenotyping was done on the cells using markers for CD29, CD44, CD49f, and Ki67. These markers are used to identify cell surface proteins and can provide insight into the cell’s behavior and function.
- The mammosphere assay, an in vitro system for maintaining and expanding mammary gland stem cells, was also suggested as an essential tool for studying MaSC during different physiological phases. It was observed that the equine lactating mammary gland contained significantly more mammosphere-initiating cells than the inactive, nonlactating gland. Additionally, these spheres were significantly larger in size upon initial cultivation, indicative of progenitor cell proliferation.
Implication of the Research
- This study not only enriches the current understanding of mammary gland biology but also offers a comparative perspective to study and compare MaSC in different mammalian species.
- The findings have significant implications, potentially aiding efforts in our understanding of diseases such as breast cancer, which is thought to originate from these stem cells.
- Additionally, understanding these stem cells’ behaviour could potentially lead to innovations in dairy animal production—a matter of economic and nutritional importance.
Cite This Article
APA
Spaas JH, Chiers K, Bussche L, Burvenich C, Van de Walle GR.
(2012).
Stem/progenitor cells in non-lactating versus lactating equine mammary gland.
Stem Cells Dev, 21(16), 3055-3067.
https://doi.org/10.1089/scd.2012.0042 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Adipocytes / cytology
- Adipocytes / metabolism
- Adipogenesis
- Animals
- Biomarkers / metabolism
- Cell Cycle
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Proliferation
- Cells, Cultured
- Clone Cells
- Colony-Forming Units Assay
- Epithelial Cells / cytology
- Epithelial Cells / metabolism
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Immunophenotyping
- Lactation / physiology
- Mammary Glands, Animal / cytology
- Mammary Glands, Animal / physiology
- Mice
- Spheroids, Cellular / cytology
- Spheroids, Cellular / metabolism
- Staining and Labeling
- Stem Cells / cytology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Hughes K. Development and Pathology of the Equine Mammary Gland. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021 Jun;26(2):121-134.
- Ledet MM, Harman RM, Fan JC, Schmitt-Matzen E, Diaz-Rubio ME, Zhang S, Van de Walle GR. Secreted sphingomyelins modulate low mammary cancer incidence observed in certain mammals. Sci Rep 2020 Nov 25;10(1):20580.
- Harman RM, Das SP, Bartlett AP, Rauner G, Donahue LR, Van de Walle GR. Beyond tradition and convention: benefits of non-traditional model organisms in cancer research. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021 Mar;40(1):47-69.
- Ledet MM, Oswald M, Anderson R, Van de Walle GR. Differential signaling pathway activation in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene (DMBA)-treated mammary stem/progenitor cells from species with varying mammary cancer incidence. Oncotarget 2018 Aug 28;9(67):32761-32774.
- Bussche L, Rauner G, Antonyak M, Syracuse B, McDowell M, Brown AMC, Cerione RA, Van de Walle GR. Microvesicle-mediated Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Promotes Interspecies Mammary Stem/Progenitor Cell Growth. J Biol Chem 2016 Nov 18;291(47):24390-24405.
- Borena BM, Bussche L, Burvenich C, Duchateau L, Van de Walle GR. Mammary stem cell research in veterinary science: an update. Stem Cells Dev 2013 Jun 15;22(12):1743-51.
- Li C, Zheng S, Lin J, Li Q, Yang K, Li X. Effects of added exogenous hormones on lactation-related physiological functions of equine mammary epithelial cells. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1660502.
- Capone A, Merlo B, Begni F, Iacono E. Equine Colostrum-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A Potential Resource for Veterinary Regenerative Medicine. Vet Sci 2025 Jul 19;12(7).
- Miller JL, Reddy A, Harman RM, Van de Walle GR. A xenotransplantation mouse model to study physiology of the mammary gland from large mammals. PLoS One 2024;19(2):e0298390.
- Harman RM, Das SP, Kanke M, Sethupathy P, Van de Walle GR. miRNA-214-3p stimulates carcinogen-induced mammary epithelial cell apoptosis in mammary cancer-resistant species. Commun Biol 2023 Oct 3;6(1):1006.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
