RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Suppression of ICE and apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells by extracellular matrix JF Science JO Science FD American Association for the Advancement of Science SP 891 OP 893 DO 10.1126/science.7531366 VO 267 IS 5199 A1 Boudreau, N A1 Sympson, CJ A1 Werb, Z A1 Bissell, MJ YR 1995 UL http://science.sciencemag.org/content/267/5199/891.abstract AB Apoptosis (programmed cell death) plays a major role in development and tissue regeneration. Basement membrane extracellular matrix (ECM), but not fibronectin or collagen, was shown to suppress apoptosis of mammary epithelial cells in tissue culture and in vivo. Apoptosis was induced by antibodies to beta 1 integrins or by overexpression of stromelysin-1, which degrades ECM. Expression of interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE) correlated with the loss of ECM, and inhibitors of ICE activity prevented apoptosis. These results suggest that ECM regulates apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells through an integrin-dependent negative regulation of ICE expression.