Wnt/β-catenin mediates radiation resistance of Sca1+ progenitors in an immortalized mammary gland cell line

The COMMA-D beta-geo cell line has been shown to contain a permanent subpopulation of progenitor cells that are enriched in outgrowth potential. Using the COMMA-D beta-geo cell line as a model, we sought to study the radioresistance of mammary progenitor cells. Using the putative progenitor cell marker stem cell antigen 1 (Sca1), we were able to isolate a discrete subpopulation of Sca1(+) multipotent cells from the immortalized COMMA-D beta-geo murine mammary cell line. At a clinically relevant dose, the Sca1(+) cells were resistant to radiation (2 Gy). Sca1(+) cells contained fewer gamma-H2AX(+) DNA damage foci following irradiation, displayed higher levels of endogenous beta-catenin, and selectively upregulated survivin after radiation. Expression of active beta-catenin enhanced self-renewal preferentially in the Sca1(+) cells, whereas suppressing beta-catenin with a dominant negative, beta-engrailed, decreased self-renewal of the Sca1(+) cells. Understanding the radioresistance of progenitor cells may be an important factor in improving the treatment of cancer. The COMMA-D beta-geo cell line may provide a useful model to study the signaling pathways that control mammary progenitor cell regulation.