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Developing ovine mammary terminal duct lobular units have a dynamic mucosal and stromal immune microenvironment

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Nagy, Dorottya 
Gillis, Clare M. C. 
Davies, Katie 
Fowden, Abigail L. 
Rees, Paul 

Abstract

Abstract: The human breast and ovine mammary gland undergo striking levels of postnatal development, leading to formation of terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs). Here we interrogate aspects of sheep TDLU growth as a model of breast development and to increase understanding of ovine mammogenesis. The distributions of epithelial nuclear Ki67 positivity differ significantly between younger and older lambs. Ki67 expression is polarised to the leading edge of the developing TDLUs. Intraepithelial ductal macrophages exhibit periodicity and considerably increased density in lambs approaching puberty. Stromal macrophages are more abundant centrally than peripherally. Intraepithelial T lymphocytes are more numerous in older lambs. Stromal hotspots of Ki67 expression colocalize with immune cell aggregates that exhibit distinct organisation consistent with tertiary lymphoid structures. The lamb mammary gland thus exhibits a dynamic mucosal and stromal immune microenvironment and constitutes a valuable model system that provides new insights into postnatal breast development.

Description

Funder: University of Cambridge | Girton College, University of Cambridge (Girton); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000621


Funder: University of Cambridge Herchel-Smith Fund


Funder: British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation Norman Hayward Fund ref NHF_2016_03_KH

Keywords

Article, /631/250/262, /631/250/1620, /631/114/1564, /631/114/1305, /631/136, /14, /14/19, /14/1, /14/63, /101, /101/1, /13, /13/1, article

Journal Title

Communications Biology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2399-3642

Volume Title

4

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group UK
Sponsorship
RCUK | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (BB/P026818/1)
RCUK | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (EP/H008683/1)
British Veterinary Association (BVA) (NHF_2016_03_KH)