Rat strain-specific actions of 17β-estradiol in the mammary gland: Correlation between estrogen-induced lobuloalveolar hyperplasia and susceptibility to estrogen-induced mammary cancers

Djuana M.E. Harvell, Tracy E. Strecker, Martin Tochacek, Benjamin Xie, Karen L. Pennington, Rodney D. McComb, Shyamal K. Roy, James D. Shull

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

93 Scopus citations

Abstract

The genetically related ACI and Copenhagen (COP) rat strains display diametrically opposed susceptibilities to mammary cancer development when treated chronically with 17β-estradiol (E2). Here, we compare the actions of E2 on cell proliferation and lobuloalveolar development in the mammary glands of female ACI and COP rats. After 12 wk of E2 treatment, the mammary glands of ACI rats exhibited a significantly greater proliferative response to E2, compared with COP rats, as evidenced by quantification of S phase fraction and development of lobuloalveolar hyperplasia. Focal regions of atypical epithelial hyperplasia were observed in ACI, but not COP, rats. These strain differences were not because of differences in circulating E2, progesterone or, prolactin. Two-thirds of the induced mammary cancers in ACI rats exhibited aneuploidy. The E2-induced mammary cancers regressed when hormone treatment was discontinued, indicating that they were estrogen-dependent. Progesterone receptor was expressed by the great majority of epithelial cells within the E2-induced atypical hyperplastic foci and the mammary carcinomas, suggesting a link between these lesions. These data demonstrate a correlation between E2 action in the induction of mammary cell proliferation and atypical epithelial hyperplasia and genetically conferred susceptibility to E2-induced mammary cancers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2779-2784
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume97
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 14 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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