Notch ligand Dll1 mediates cross-talk between mammary stem cells and the macrophageal niche.

Publication Year
2018

Type

Journal Article
Abstract

The stem cell niche is a specialized environment that dictates stem cell function during development and homeostasis. We show that Dll1, a Notch pathway ligand, is enriched in mammary gland stem cells (MaSCs) and mediates critical interactions with stromal macrophages in the surrounding niche in mouse models. Conditional deletion of Dll1 reduced the number of MaSCs and impaired ductal morphogenesis in the mammary gland. Moreover, MaSC-expressed Dll1 activates Notch signaling in stromal macrophages, increasing their expression of Wnt family ligands such as Wnt3, Wnt10A, and Wnt16, thereby initiating a feedback loop that promotes the function of Dll1-expressing MaSCs. Together, these findings reveal functionally important cross-talk between MaSCs and their macrophageal niche through Dll1-mediated Notch signaling.

Journal
Science
Volume
360
Issue
6396
Date Published
2018 Jun 29
ISSN Number
1095-9203
Alternate Journal
Science
PMCID
PMC7881440
PMID
29773667