Cellular Interactions in Mammary Gland Development

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Normal mammary gland development requires interactions between the cells that form the gland. It is well known that different types of junctions are involved in these interactions, including gap, adherens and tight junctions. Most junctions components, named junctional proteins, have been identified. However, the mechanisms controlling the arrangement and function of the junctional proteins in the complexes are poorly understood. The main objective of this research program is to identify those mechanisms. To do so, we will use different models to mimic the mammary gland structure in the laboratory. We can modify the interactions between the cells in these models using various compounds and determine the effects on mammary gland development. Understanding the mechanisms implicated in cell interactions is crucial because their deregulation could lead to abnormal mammary gland development. Because the majority of mammary gland development occurs at puberty, cell interactions may be controlled, at least in part, by hormones. Some environmental pollutants are similar to hormones and can mimic their actions. These pollutants are called endocrine disruptors. Our second objective is to determine whether an exposure to endocrine disruptors can modulate the establishment and function of cellular interactions, thereby promoting abnormal development of the gland. There is growing interest and concern about the effects of certain chemicals in the environment on cell growth and differentiation. It is paramount to provide documented answers about the risks associated with exposure to chemicals for mammary gland development.