In Vivo Gene Delivery into Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cells Through Mammary Intraductal Injection

Mouse mammary glands comprise ductal trees, which are lined by epithelial cells and have one opening at the tip of each nipple. The epithelial cells play a major role in mammary gland function and are the origin of most mammary tumors. Introducing genes of interest into mouse mammary epithelial cells is a critical step in evaluating gene function in epithelial cells and generating mouse mammary tumor models. This goal can be accomplished through the intraductal injection of a viral vector carrying the genes of interest into the mouse mammary ductal tree. The injected virus subsequently infects mammary epithelial cells, bringing in the genes of interest. The viral vector can be lentiviral, retroviral, adenoviral, or adenovirus-associated viral (AAV). This study demonstrates how a gene of interest is delivered into mammary epithelial cells through mouse mammary intraductal injection of a viral vector. A lentivirus carrying GFP is used to show stable expression of a delivered gene, and a retrovirus carrying Erbb2 (HER2/Neu) is used to demonstrate oncogene-induced atypical hyperplastic lesions and mammary tumors.

Automated summary

Mouse mammary glands are composed of ductal trees lined with epithelial cells, which are responsible for mammary gland function and tumorigenesis. Intraductal injection of a viral vector carrying genes of interest into the mouse mammary ductal tree is a critical step for evaluating gene function and generating tumor models. Lentiviral, retroviral, adenoviral, or AAV vectors can be used for this purpose. This study demonstrates the delivery of a gene of interest into mammary epithelial cells using intraductal injection of a viral vector, showing stable expression and oncogene-induced lesions and tumors.