Abstract
Although integrin αvβ3 is linked to cancer progression, its role in epithelial development is unclear. Here, we show that αvβ3 plays a critical role in adult mammary stem cells (MaSCs) during pregnancy. Whereas αvβ3 is a luminal progenitor marker in the virgin gland, we noted increased αvβ3 expression in MaSCs at midpregnancy. Accordingly, mice lacking αvβ3 or expressing a signaling-deficient receptor showed defective mammary gland morphogenesis during pregnancy. This was associated with decreased MaSC expansion, clonogenicity, and expression of Slug, a master regulator of MaSCs. Surprisingly, αvβ3-deficient mice displayed normal development of the virgin gland with no effect on luminal progenitors. Transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) induced αvβ3 expression, enhancing Slug nuclear accumulation and MaSC clonogenicity. In human breast cancer cells, αvβ3 was necessary and sufficient for Slug activation, tumorsphere formation, and tumor initiation. Thus, pregnancy-associated MaSCs require a TGF-β2/αvβ3/Slug pathway, which may contribute to breast cancer progression and stemness.
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