Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
+ microenvironment, + cell-to-cell communication, + epithelial-stromal interaction, + mechanical forces, + epithelial morphogenesis, + functional heterogeneity, + organoids
Using single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial mapping, we found 5 fibroblast subtypes in developing mammary gland during puberty. We demonstrated that the contractile αSMA+ fibroblasts are specific only to the microenvironment of the growing epithelium, the terminal end bud, and uncovered their origin and fate using lineage tracing experiments. [pubmed] [doi]
Using an organoid model we have demonstrated that fibroblast contractility and direct contact between fibroblasts and epithelium are crucial for branching of organoids. Our findings enrich the repertoire of mechanisms by which the stromal cells influence epithelial morphogenesis. [pubmed] [doi]
We have developed a method for milk production in cell culture – in mammary gland organoids. This approach allows not only to study processes of lactation and involution in vitro, but also has a strong biotechnology potential for milk production without the need for animal farming. [pubmed] [doi]
