Fig. 4: Rank deletion in luminal cells leads to parity-induced basal bipotency in developing alveoli through Rank pathway activation in basal parous cells.
From: Luminal Rank loss decreases cell fitness leading to basal cell bipotency in parous mammary glands
a GSEA profile of luminal alveolar identity gene set (C4-L-Alv) between virgin and parous Rank+ basal (Ba) cells of the indicated genotypes. b Bubble plot representation showing selected GSEA related to signaling pathways involved in basal bipotency in basal cells in the different biological settings indicated. c GSEA profile of Rankl pathway between Rank+ parous basal (Ba) cells of the indicated genotypes. d IF analysis of K8 (magenta), GFP (green) and Ki67 (blue) at P1 and P2 G9.5 from K8imTmG and K8iΔRank MGs. Quantification of recombination (K8+/GFP+) in ducts (p > 0.99) and alveoli (p > 0.99) at G9.5 from P1 (n = 3 K8imTmG; n = 4 K8iΔRank); and P2 ducts (p = 0.92) and alveoli (p < 0.0001) (n = 3). e Experimental protocol used to inhibit Rank signaling in basal cells of K8iΔRank mice at early P2. During P2 , both control and K8iΔRank mice were treated intraperitoneally with Rank-Fc and control Fc at G6.5 and G8.5, and sacrificed at G9.5. f IF analysis of K8 (magenta), GFP (green), and Dapi (blue) at P2 G9.5 from K8imTmG and K8iΔRank mice treated with Fc and Rank-Fc. Quantification of recombination (K8 + /GFP + ) in ducts (p > 0.99) and alveoli (p < 0.0001) at G9.5 P2 (n = 3 K8imTmG; n = 4 K8iΔRank) after Fc treatment and ducts (p > 0.83) and alveoli (p > 0.99) at G9.5 P2 after Rank Fc treatment (n = 3 K8imTmG; n = 4 K8iΔRank). Data are represented as mean +/− SEM. Scale bars and significant P values are indicated in the graphs. P-values were calculated by ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons (d, f). Staining was quantified in 5 independent images from two tissue sections collected 100 µm apart (d, f). Source data are provided as a Source Data file. ns not significant.
