Fig. 1

17β-estradiol induces cell proliferation in MCF-7 and T47D cells but not MCF-10A. (a) MCF-7, T47D, and MCF-10A cells were incubated for 7 days in phenol red-free media supplemented with charcoal-stripped FBS (starved) or with untreated FBS (not starved). The media were changed every two days and cells were counted each day. (b) Following one week of incubation in phenol red-free medium containing charcoal-stripped FBS, cells were treated with 2nM 17β-ED or its vehicle EtOH (Ctrl) for 5 days. The media were changed every two days and cells were then counted on day 5 post treatment. (c) Cells were incubated as in B above except that cells were treated with CFSE prior to incubation with 2nM 17β-ED (shaded area) or its vehicle (clear area). Cells were then assessed for CFSE content by flow cytometry on day 5 post-treatment. The result is representative of 3 independent experiments. Data are means ± SEM n = 3 independent experiments. *Different from control as determined by Student’s t-test (p < 0.05)