FGF signaling in mammary gland fibroblasts regulates multiple fibroblast functions and mammary epithelial morphogenesis

Warning

This publication doesn't include Faculty of Economics and Administration. It includes Faculty of Medicine. Official publication website can be found on muni.cz.
Authors

SUMBAL Jakub KOLEDOVÁ Zuzana

Year of publication 2019
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Development
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Medicine

Citation
Web http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/dev.185306
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/dev.185306
Keywords Branching morphogenesis; Collagen; Extraceliular matrix; Fibroblast; Fibroblast growth factor; Mammary gland; Stroma; Mouse
Description Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is crucial for mammary gland development. Although multiple roles for FGF signaling in the epithelium have been described, the function of FGF signaling in mammary stroma has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated FGF signaling in mammary fibroblasts. We found that murine mammary fibroblasts express FGF receptors FGFR1 and FGFR2 and respond to FGF ligands. In particular, FGF2 and FGF9 induce sustained ERK1/2 signaling and promote fibroblast proliferation and migration in 2D cultures. Intriguingly, only FGF2 induces fibroblast migration in 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) through regulation of actomyosin cytoskeleton and promotes force-mediated collagen remodeling by mammary fibroblasts. Moreover, FGF2 regulates production of ECM proteins by mammary fibroblasts, including collagens, fibronectin, osteopontin and matrix metalloproteinases. Finally, using organotypic 3D co-cultures we show that FGF2 and FGF9 signaling in mammary fibroblasts enhances fibroblast-induced branching of mammary epithelium by modulating paracrine signaling, and that knockdown of Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 in mammary fibroblasts reduces branching of mammary epithelium. Our results demonstrate a pleiotropic role for FGF signaling in mammary fibroblasts, with implications for regulation of mammary stromal functions and epithelial branching morphogenesis.
Related projects:

You are running an old browser version. We recommend updating your browser to its latest version.