Amy L. Roberts

Repression of mammary stem/progenitor cells by p53 is mediated by notch and separable from apoptotic activity

Breast cancer is the most common tumor among women with inherited mutations in the p53 gene (Li‐Fraumeni syndrome). The tumors represent the basal‐like subtype, which has been suggested to originate from mammary stem/progenitor cells. In mouse mammary epithelium, mammosphere‐forming potential was increased with decreased dosage of the gene encoding the p53 tumor suppressor protein (Trp53). Limiting dilution transplantation also showed a 3.3‐fold increase in the frequency of long‐term regenerative mammary stem cells in Trp53−/− mice. The repression of mammospheres by p53 was apparent despite the absence of apoptotic responses to radiation indicating a dissociation of these two activities of p53. The effects of p53 on progenitor cells were also observed in TM40A cells using both mammosphere‐forming assays and the DsRed‐let7c‐sensor. The frequency of long‐term label‐retaining epithelial cells was decreased in Trp53−/− mammary glands indicating that asymmetric segregation of DNA is diminished and contributes to the expansion of the mammary stem cells. Treatment with an inhibitor of γ‐secretase (N‐[N‐(3,5‐difluorophenacetyl)‐L‐alanyl]‐S‐phenylglycine t‐butyl ester) reduced the number of Trp53−/− mammospheres to the level found in Trp53+/+ cells. These results demonstrate that basal levels of p53 restrict mammary stem/progenitor cells through Notch and that the Notch pathway is a therapeutic target to prevent expansion of this vulnerable pool of cells. STEM CELLS 2011;29:119–127

Transcriptional Responses to Estrogen and Progesterone in Mammary Gland Identify Networks Regulating p53 Activity

Estrogen and progestins are essential for mammary growth and differentiation but also enhance the activity of the p53 tumor suppressor protein in the mammary epithelium. However, the pathways by which these hormones regulate p53 activity are unknown. Microarrays were used to profile the transcriptional changes within the mammary gland after administration of either vehicle, 17beta-estradiol (E), or progesterone (P) individually and combined (EP). Treatment with EP yielded 1182 unique genes that were differentially expressed compared to the vehicle-treated group. Although 30% of genes were responsive to either E or P individually, combined treatment with both EP had a synergistic effect accounting for 60% of the differentially regulated genes. Analysis of protein-protein interactions identified p53, RelA, Snw1, and Igfals as common targets of genes regulated by EP. RelA and p53 form hubs within a network connected by genes that are regulated by EP and that may coordinate the competing functions of RelA and p53 in proliferation and survival of cells. Induction of early growth response 1 (Egr1) and Stratifin (Sfn) (also known as 14-3-3sigma) by EP was confirmed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and shown to be p53 independent. In luciferase reporter assays, Egr1 was shown to enhance transcriptional activation by p53 and inhibit nuclear factor kappaB activity. These results identify a gene expression network that provides redundant activation of RelA to support proliferation as well as sensitize p53 to ensure proper surveillance and integration of their competing functions through factors such as Egr1, which both enhance p53 and inhibit RelA.

Pathways Contributing to Development of Spontaneous Mammary Tumors in BALB/c-Trp53+/− Mice

Mutation and loss of function in p53 are common features among human breast cancers. Here we use BALB/c-Trp53+/- mice as a model to examine the sequence of events leading to mammary tumors. Mammary gland proliferation rates were similar in both BALB/c-Trp53+/- mice and wild-type controls. In addition, sporadic mammary hyperplasias were rare in BALB/c-Trp53+/- mice and not detectably different from those of wild-type controls. Among the 28 mammary tumors collected from BALB/c-Trp53+/- mice, loss of heterozygosity for Trp53 was detected in more than 90% of invasive mammary tumors. Transplantation of Trp53+/- ductal hyperplasias also indicated an association between loss of the wild-type allele of Trp53 and progression to invasive carcinomas. Therefore, loss of p53 function seems to be a rate-limiting step in progression. Moreover, expression of biomarkers such as estrogen receptor alpha, progesterone receptor, Her2/Neu, and activated Notch1 varied among mammary tumors, suggesting that multiple oncogenic lesions collaborate with loss of p53 function. Expression of biomarkers was retained when tumor fragments were transplanted to syngeneic hosts. Tumors expressing solely luminal or basal keratins were also observed (27 and 11%, respectively), but the largest class of tumors expressed both luminal and basal keratins (62%). Overall, this panel of transplantable tumors provides a resource for detailed evaluation of the cell lineages undergoing transformation and preclinical testing of therapeutic agents targeting a variety of oncogenic pathways including cancer stem cells.

Abstract 5047: Role of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in the balance between proliferation and surveillance

Estrogens have paradoxical effects in both promoting and preventing breast cancer. The proliferative actions of estrogens promote the expansion of both normal mammary epithelium and breast cancer. But estrogen also activates p53-mediated surveillance and apoptotic pathways to eliminate cells with potential oncogenic mutations. This is exemplified by tumor regression in response to high dose estrogen-treatment in postmenopausal breast cancer. Estrogens mediate their effects through the activation of two estrogen receptor subtypes: Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα)and Estrogen Receptor beta (ERβ). Our objective is to examine the contribution of these receptors in mediating surveillance as opposed to proliferation by comparing selective estrogen receptor agonists with 17β-estradiol (E2) for induction of proliferation and surveillance in three model systems: (1) in vivo mouse model, (2) in vitro MCF7-tet-off-ERβ model, and (3) an ex-vivo human mammary explant model. Selective activation of ERβ with the agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN) in vivo enhances p53-mediated apoptosis in the mouse mammary epithelium without stimulating proliferation. In addition, radiation-induced apoptosis is significantly reduced in mice lacking ERβ (βERKO). E2 or the ERα selective agonist pyrazole triol (PPT) induced the expression of estrogen response genes including progesterone receptor and amphiregulin in all three models. DPN-mediated activation of ERβ failed to induce the expression of these genes. The ERβ agonist DPN selectively induced the expression of genes that repress proliferation including TGFβ and inhibitors of canonical WNT signaling, WNT5a and AXIN2. DPN was also more potent in stimulating EGR1, a modulator of p53 activity, and CEBPd, a pro-apoptotic gene. Conclusions: The ability of DPN and ERβ to potentiate surveillance pathways while limiting proliferation suggests that ERβ agonists may provide a new approach for chemoprevention of breast cancer. Citation Format: D. Joseph Jerry, Karen A. Dunphy, Amy L. Roberts, Margarita Brown. Role of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in the balance between proliferation and surveillance. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5047. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5047

Abstract 3380: Transient Tgfβ exposure causes persistent transdifferentiation in mouse mammary epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Transforming growth factor beta (Tgfβ) is transiently increased during involution in the mammary gland following a pregnancy and may promote the risk of pregnancy associated breast cancer (PABC). While tgfβ inhibits growth of normal mammary epithelium and has a functional role in restoring the pre-pregnancy architecture of the mammary gland, this cytokine also has tumor promoter function because it promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and initiates metastatic behavior in tumor cells. We hypothesize that transient Tgfβ exposure, to mimic involution, selects for cells that are susceptible to EMT and increases risk for PABC. We have found that short term 14 day treatment of CDβGeo cells, a mouse mammary epithelial cell line, with Tgfβ (5ng/ml) promotes EMT. These cells are persistently transdifferentiated (pTD) even after withdrawal of Tgfβ. In contrast to the parental CDβGeo cells, the pTD cells have decreased expression of E-cadherin (3-fold, p 3-fold, p 5-fold;p<0.01). In addition, expression of Tgfb2 mRNA was also increased (2.8-fold;p<0.05) in the pTD cells. These results demonstrate that transient exposure to Tgfβ causes persistent transdifferentation with increases in Snail and Tgfb2 expression in CDβGeo cells and suggest maintenance of transdifferentiation through an autocrine positive feedback loop. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3380. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3380

Abstract 3334: Repression of mammary stem/progenitor cells by p53 is mediated by notch and separable from apoptotic activity

Breast cancer is the most common tumor among women with inherited mutations in the p53 gene (Li-Fraumeni syndrome). The tumors represent the basal-like subtype which has been suggested to originate from mammary stem/progenitor cells. In mouse mammary epithelium, mammosphere-forming potential was increased with decreased dosage of the gene encoding the p53 tumor suppressor protein (Trp53). Limiting dilution transplantation also showed a 3.3-fold increase in the frequency of long-term regenerative mammary stem cells in Trp53-/- mice. The repression of mammospheres by p53 was apparent despite the absence of apoptotic responses to radiation indicating a dissociation of these two activities of p53. The frequency of long-term label-retaining epithelial cells (LRECs) was decreased in Trp53-/- mammary glands indicating that asymmetric segregation of DNA is diminished and contributes to the expansion of the mammary stem cells. Treatment with an inhibitor of γ-secretase (DAPT) reduced the number of Trp53-/- mammospheres to the level found in Trp53+/+ cells. These results demonstrate that basal levels of p53 restrict mammary stem/progenitor cells through Notch and that the Notch pathway is a therapeutic target to prevent expansion of this vulnerable pool of cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3334. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3334

Abstract A5: Transient TGFβ exposure reprograms mouse mammary epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) has been shown to inhibit growth of normal breast epithelium, but promotes aggressive behaviors in breast carcinomas. Normal breast epithelia are exposed transiently to increased levels of TGFβ during involution. During radiation therapy for breast cancer, the breast epithelium is also exposed transiently to TGFβ.While TGFβ restricts growth of most normal breast epithelia, it may have divergent effects on progenitor cells. The CDβgeo cells have been shown to be enriched for mammary progenitor cells (Deugnier et al., 2006). Treatment of CDβgeo cells with TGFβ1 resulted in modest decreases in E-cadherin levels after 14 days (TD0). However, withdrawal of TGFβ and passaging the cells over 14 days resulted in transdifferentiation (TD14). In contrast to the parental CDβgeo cells, the TD14 cells had decreased expression of E-cadherin (3‐fold, p Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):A5.

Abstract B61: Regulation of mammary stem/progenitor cells by p53

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women in the United States. Understanding the biological behavior of mammary stem cells (MaSCs) and progenitor cells sheds light on the mechanism of mammary gland malignant transformation. The p53 tumor suppressor protein ( TP53 in human, Trp53 in mouse) regulates cell growth and protects cells from malignant transformation and has been shown to also participate in regulation of tissue‐specific stem cells. Methods: Total mammary cells were isolated from 8–10 weeks old mice of different p53 genotype ( Trp53+/+, Trp53+/−, Trp53−/− ). Mammosphere assay were used to compare the self‐renewal and ionizing radiation (IR) response of mammosphere‐initiating cells. Limiting dilution and transplantation was done to compare the frequency of long‐term regenerative mammary stem cells of Trp53+/+ and Trp53−/− epithelium. 3 weeks old BALB/c Trp53+/+ and Trp53−/− mice were injected with BrdU for 7 consecutive days and chased for 9 weeks. BrdU staining was done to compare the frequency of label‐retaining cells in their mammary glands. Results: Mammosphere assays showed that decreased p53 dosage in Trp53+/− and Trp53−/− mice led to increased numbers and size of mammospheres. Meanwhile, the number of secondary and tertiary mammospheres was not affected by (IR) regardless of their genotype. Serial dilution and transplantation experiments also showed that the Trp53−/− epithelium had significantly increased frequency of long‐term regenerative MaSCs compared to Trp53+/+ epithelium. The BrdU labeling experiment showed that Trp53−/− mammary gland contains less label‐retaining epithelial cells (LRECs) than Trp53+/+ epithelium. Conclusions: Our data suggest that p53 negatively regulates the self‐renewal of mammary stem cells. The MaSCs pool expands with decreased p53 dosage, which may results in a higher transformation risk. Meanwhile, the p53‐mediated apoptosis pathway is compromised in the mammosphere‐initiating cells, suggesting different functional status of p53 in cells of different differentiation stage. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):B61.