Mammary gland development requires complex interactions between mammary epithelial cells and their surrounding environment. Tissue resident macrophages are present in the mammary gland in close association with developing epithelial structures and within the adipose stroma, and are known to be important for contributing to mammary gland development and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for determining the consequences of altered macrophage function on loss of homeostasis and promotion of tissue specific disease, such as tumorigenesis. The goal of this project is to delineate the mechanisms that maintain tissue resident macrophages in the mammary gland in a homeostatic state and to determine whether the altering these mechanisms impacts mammary gland development. In preliminary studies, we have developed a novel method for identifying and isolating distinct populations of resident macrophages from the mammary gland, including macrophages associated with epithelial structures and those associated with stromal regions. Based on preliminary studies, we propose that signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways are key regulators of resident macrophages in the mammary gland and that deregulation of these pathways results in the formation of macrophages that create a permissive environment for tumorigenesis. Proposed studies will 1) determine the source and localization of tissue resident macrophage populations during mammary gland development, 2) demonstrate the importance of STATs as key transcriptional regulators of tissue resident macrophages in the mammary gland and 3) determine the effects of inflammatory factors on resident macrophage function in the mammary gland. Recent studies have focused on understanding the mechanisms driving tissue resident macrophage function and their contributions to tissue development and homeostasis. However, relatively little is known regarding the mechanisms driving resident macrophage function in the mammary gland. Understanding these mechanisms will provide insights into how alterations in resident macrophage function, such as by local or systemic inflammatory signals, impact epithelial morphogenesis and contribute to cancer risk.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed studies focus on identifying mechanisms that regulate macrophage function in the mammary gland. The proposed research is relevant to human health because understanding the mechanisms is critical for determining the consequences of altered macrophage function on loss of homeostasis and promotion of tissue specific disease, such as tumorigenesis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HD095858-01
Application #
9573512
Study Section
Integrative and Clinical Endocrinology and Reproduction Study Section (ICER)
Program Officer
Raiten, Daniel J
Project Start
2018-08-15
Project End
2023-05-31
Budget Start
2018-08-15
Budget End
2019-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455