Jekyll or Hyde: does Matrigel provide a more or less physiological environment in mammary repopulating assays?
- Author(s)
- Vaillant, F; Lindeman, GJ; Visvader, JE;
- Details
- Publication Year 2011,Volume 13,Issue #3,Page -
- Journal Title
- BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- In vivo transplantation is the current 'gold-standard' assay for evaluating mammary stem cell (MaSC) function. Matrigel, a reconstituted extracellular matrix derived from a mouse sarcoma line, is increasingly being utilized for mammary repopulating assays, although original studies were carried out in its absence. This matrix has also been shown to enhance tumor-initiating capacity. Whilst Matrigel increases the rate of engraftment by MaSCs, it also appears to promote progenitor activity that is distinct from bona fide stem cell activity. This caveat should be considered when interpreting mammary reconstitution assays that incorporate Matrigel, particularly when transplanting high cell numbers.
- Publisher
- BIOMED CENTRAL LTD
- Keywords
- EPITHELIAL STEM-CELLS; PROGENITOR CELLS; SELF-RENEWAL; GLAND; RECEPTOR; GROWTH; CANCER; MICE
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1186/bcr2851
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2011-01-01 12:00:00