Three-dimensional in vitro model of human preneoplastic breast disease
AssigneeWayne State University
InventorsMalathy P.V. Shekhar, Larry Tait
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Abstract
A three-dimensional in vitro culture system comprising breast epithelial cells, endothelial cells and breast fibroblasts supports growth and functional differentiation of preneoplastic breast epithelial cells and endothelial cells and recapitulates estrogen induced in vivo effects on angiogenesis and proliferative potential of breast epithelial tissue. This model permits the generation of functional vascular networks and local proliferative ductal alveolar outgrowths with invasive potential. Both these processes are augmented by estrogen. This culture model is used to evaluate agents for their effects, whether stimulatory or inhibitory, on preneoplastic breast disease and its progression to cancer.
Claims28
A three-dimensional in vitro culture system that serves as a model for the development and progression of preneoplastic breast disease, comprising a co-culture of
- (a) preneoplastic breast epithelial cells,
- (b) endothelial cells and
- (c) breast fibroblasts
- on a reconstituted basement membrane in the presence of medium containing
- (i) effective concentrations of growth factors and additives that act on said epithelial and endothelial cells, and
- (ii) effective concentrations of an estrogen
- such that said cells undergo morphogenesis that results in the formation of a multicellular three dimensional network of branching ductal alveolar units in culture within about 3-7 days.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.