Development of mammary gland requires normal beta 1-integrin function.

To study the role of beta 1-integrins in mammary gland development we have generated transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative mutant of the beta 1-integrin chain in the mammary epithelium. The transgenic glands presented a delayed development in pregnancy and lactation due to decreased epithelial cell proliferation and increased apoptosis, whereas at the beginning of lactation, expression of milk proteins, WAP and beta-casein was diminished. In correlation with transgene expression, the basement membrane component, laminin, and the beta 4 integrin were accumulated at the lateral surface of luminal epithelial cells, revealing defects in polarization. Our data show that beta 1-integrins are involved in vivo in the control of proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and maintenance of baso-apical polarity of mammary epithelium.