Objective Mammary gland biology studies are a very long-established tradition in Europe where histological and physiological work on lactation originated. Currently, most European countries support mammary gland research. However, this important research potential might remain inefficient because of geographical dispersion and lack of communication between laboratories.A - GENERAL BACKGROUNDCurrent research on the mammary gland is directed towards the study of the functioning of normal and tumoral mammary epithelial cells, including interaction between the surrounding cells, extracellular matrix and interstitial tissue.Phases of differentiation occurring during puberty and pregnancy are required for the functioning of the mammary cell. The extracellular matrix surrounding alveolar cells is of the utmost importance to the working of the normal cell. Extracellular matrix is involved in transformations of mammary cells which generate tumoral and cancerous cells. Consequently, understanding the role of this matrix is an important point in research on breast cancer.Understanding how hormones act, from the control of gene expression, to post-transcriptional control of synthesis and secretion of milk components (with consequences for milk quality) involves cellular and molecular studies.Understanding of utilization of nutrients necessitates nutritional and cellular physiology studies.Modifications of the environment of the cell (infection, inflammation) provoke cell reactions. Programmes of pathological and immunological research study defence mechanisms.All these areas of research overlap. They are supported by different European countries. To date, the researchers who have expressed interest in participating in COST belong to 11 countries of the Member States and they represent all the previously mentioned disciplines. Consequently, the research groups interested in mammary gland biology research are dispersed throughout most European countries. Furthermore, they are also often independently managed (health, fundamental research, agriculture, agri-food sector) and exchanges between groups may not exist. therefore, we are convinced that it is particularly timely and necessary to establish a European organization in order to promote contacts and exchanges between laboratories involved in research on mammary gland biology as well as a better understanding between academic and industrial institutions. Only the COST programme allows the creation of such a network in Europe.Presently, only a small number of specific cooperation projects are supported by European exchange programmes (for example: UK ? Spain, France ? UK, France ? Spain, France ? Hungary). Therefore, they are de facto restricted to very specialized subtopics and involve a limited number of laboratories.A few international scientific programmes allow researchers to meet. these meetings are held every other year, either in the USA (Gordon Conference on Mammary Gland Biology) , or alternating between Europe and North America (Fdration Europen de Zootechnie - American Society of Animal Science - FEZ/ASAS) and European investigators can rarely attend.It is important to note that the EC supports scientific programmes on specific points of research. the biotechnology programme "Bovmap" (bovine gene mapping project), will enable characterization of genes with economically important traits (quality of biological products including milk, resistance to disease). Among Biomedical and Healthy Research Cancer programmes, several support studies on breast cancer. It will be important to promote interaction between participants in these programmes and those in the COST project. These contacts will be facilitated by the fact that researchers involved in these biotechnology and biomedical programmes are also participating in the COST Action. There is neither competition nor conflict between fundamental research currently supported by EC and the proposed COST programmes.B - OBJECTIVESMain objectiveTo promote contacts and interdisciplinary cooperation between European scientists working on mammary gland biology.Secondary objectives* To promote multidisciplinary meetings between research groups in the following areas:- Physiology: development - apoptosis - growth factors - hormones - milk ejection- Nutrition: supply and uptake of nutrientsmilk composition and nutrition of the youngfatty acid and tumours- Breast cancer: tumour cells - tumour markers.- Pathology and immunology: infection - virus - inflammation.- Molecular Biology: control of gene expression - transcription factors - transgenesis- Cellular and Developmental Biology: differentiation - inter- and intra-cellular signalling - secretion.* To encourage application of mammary gland research. Since researchers in the previously described areas are very specialized in their individual disciplines, success is likely to depend upon establishment of a context of complementary and multidisciplinary research. Participation of industrial representatives in the meetings will allow on one hand the economic development of these scientific results and, on the other hand, definition of the needs of industrialist. this will also promote complementary development of know-how and financing arrangements between the industrial and the fundamental research sectors. We can expect to benefit in the areas of health, product processing and nutrition.C - SCIENTIFIC CONTENTTo reach our objectives, we propose the following activities:* setting up a working group which will produce and publish a directory of laboratories, groups and individual researchers working on the biology of the mammary gland. At the same time as the directory, laboratories will be able to publish an annual research report including laboratory references, team composition, research themes and recent progress. Through this annual report, outside members will get necessary information to establish cooperations and exchanges.* setting up a working group responsible for a newsletter containing information on meetings, highlights of recent key findings, relevant publications, new points of general interest and offers of exchanges and cooperation.* setting up a working group to organize interdisciplinary conferences. Proceedings of these meetings will be produced. In the first instance, in accordance with the scheme COST II from the participating countries, two main scientific areas are proposed:1. Supply of nutrients and effectors to the mammary glandThe supply of nutrients, growth factors and hormones is linked to the control of mammary blood flow, and affects the proliferation of mammary cells. This step of development of the mammary gland is a prerequisite to reach optimal milk synthesis and secretion. Blood flow scan be regulated by hormones and be locally controlled by vasodilatotors and vasoconstrictors. Regulation of nutrient uptake, the nature of these nutrients and their utilization is the nutritionists' field. Physiologists study hormonal regulation and utilization of nutrients.2. Cellular proliferation and expression of the differentiated state of mammary cellsMethods for the study of cells in culture is a common theme of interest for cellular and molecular biologists, physiologists, pathologists and nutritionists. Mammary cell lines (normal or tumoral) are used by pathologists and cellular/molecular biologists to study numerous activities; for example proliferation, gene expression and hormonal responses. However, because of genomic modification or loss of hormonal receptors in these cell lines, they may not be suitable for all types of study.Primary cells in culture are very good tools to study the differentiated state and the role extracellular matrix. However, also in this particular case, alignment and harmonization of techniques are necessary.To study production of lipids, proteins and transport of blood constituents (immunoglobulins, hormones) polarized cells, which offer independent access to apical and baso-lateral compartments, are necesssary. Such polarized cultures are obtained with certain cell lines but in the case of the mammary epithelial cell, establishment of a good system of polarized secretory cells needs additional work. It is also a good example of the necessity to coordinate experimental methods between laboratories. Scientific meetings will facilitate harmonization of techniques and the spread of know-how between participating groups.Another specific topic will concern applications of molecular biology methods to mammary tissue (histochemistry, in situ hybridization, etc ...)Reports will be made after the meetings.* setting up a working group which will organize exchanges of scientists (if possible also involving industrial collaborators) during the COST programme.D - TIMETABLEThe action is planned for five years. The management committee will meet as soon as the programme starts.Starting point: First plenary assembly:- creation of the different working groups,- organization of the meetings (place, frequency, scientific themes).0,5 year - mailing of the 1st newsletter.- meeting of the working groups.1 year - plenary assembly: state of the art on the directory, the newsletter and the organization of scientific meetings,- meeting of the working groups followed by mailing of the 2nd newsletter, the 1st announcement of the scientific meeting and the 1st release of the directory.1,5 year - 1st scientific meeting,- plenary assembly and meeting of the working groups,- mailing of the 3rd newsletter and of the proceedings of the scientific meeting.2 year - mailing of the 4th newsletter and the new release of the directory.2,5 year - 2nd scientific meeting,- plenary assembly and meeting of the working groups,- mailing of the 5th newsletter and of the proceedings of the scientific meeting.3 year - mailing of the 6th newsletter and the new release of the directory.3,5 year - 3rd scientific meeting,- plenary assembly and meeting of the working groups,- mailing of the 7th newsletter and of the proceedings of the scientific meeting.4 year - mailing of the 8th newsletter and the new release of the directory.4,5 year - 4th scientific meeting,- plenary assembly and meeting of the working groups,- mailing of the 9th newsletter and of the proceedings of the scientific meeting.5 year - plenary assembly and meeting of the working groups followed by the production of a concluding document summarizing the action,- mailing of the 10th newsletter and the new release of the directory.E - ORGANIZATION, MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe management committee will initiate the working groups. Each working group will include at least two coordinators.. working group responsible for the building of the directory,. working group responsible for publication of the newsletter,. working group responsible for the organization of scientific meetings,. working group responsible for the management of exchanges.The management committee will coordinate the project in accordance with the schedule. Publication and mailing of the annual directory, the biannual newsletter and the proceedings of meetings will be supplemented by annual reports drafted jointly by the management committee and the coordinators of the different working groups.F - ECONOMICSTotal cost for the support to this project is estimated at ECU 13 000 000, keeping in mind the number of countries presently involved. However, certain Member States (for example Austria, Greece, Poland and Portugal) have not yet been contacted as yet and might be interested; this would increase, by 10-20 men/year, the number of participants. The estimated costs will be borne by the different countries involved in the action.Current statusSince researchers in the areas listed above are very specialised in their individual disciplines, success of the Action is likely to depend upon establishment of a context of complementary and multidisciplinary research. Participation of industrial representatives in the meetings will allow, on the one hand, the economic development of these scientific results and, on the other hand, definition of the needs of industrialists. This will also promote complementary development of know-how and financing arrangements between the industrial and the fundamental research sectors. Therefore, the Action comprises six working groups:Working Group 1 "Physiology"; Co-ordinators: Drs Schams (D) & Wilde (UK)Working Group 2 "Nutrition"; Co-ordinators: Drs Baldi (I) & Meijer (NL)Working Group 3 "Breast Cancer"; Co-ordinator: Dr Castronovo (B)Working Group 4 "Pathology & Immunology"; Co-ordinators: Drs Burvenich (B) & Zecconi (I)Working Group 5 "Molecular Biology"; Co-ordinators: Drs Doppler (A) & Sanchez (E)Working Group 6 "Cellular & Developmental Biology"; Co-ordinators Drs. Edwards (UK) & Ollivier-Bousquet (F)Benefits of the research are expected in the areas of health, product processing and nutrition. Programme(s) IC-COST - European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST), 1971- Topic(s) 7 - Medical Research Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire EU contribution No data Address INRA - Domaine de Vilvert 78 352 Jouy-en-Josas France See on map Total cost No data
