Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Volume 117, Issue 43, Pages 26822-26832Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2016905117
Keywords
calcium signaling; GCaMP6; mammary gland; lactation; oxytocin
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Funding
- National Health and Medical Research Council [1141008, 1138214]
- University of Queensland
- Mater Foundation (Equity Trustees/AE Hingeley Trust)
- National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia [1138214, 1141008] Funding Source: NHMRC
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The mammary epithelium is indispensable for the continued survival of more than 5,000 mammalian species. For some, the volume of milk ejected in a single day exceeds their entire blood volume. Here, we unveil the spatiotemporal properties of physiological signals that orchestrate the ejection of milk from alveolar units and its passage along the mammary ductal network. Using quantitative, multidimensional imaging of mammary cell ensembles from GCaMP6 transgenic mice, we reveal how stimulus evoked Ca2+ oscillations couple to contractions in basal epithelial cells. Moreover, we show that Ca2+-dependent contractions generate the requisite force to physically deform the innermost layer of lumina! cells, compelling them to discharge the fluid that they produced and housed. Through the collective action of thousands of these biological positive-displacement pumps, each linked to a contractile ductal network, milk begins its passage toward the dependent neonate, seconds after the command.
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