Associate Professor Wendy Ingman

Telephone	+61 8 8313 4100 / +61 8 8222 6141
Position	Research Fellow
Email	wendy.ingman@adelaide.edu.au
Fax	+61 8 8313 4099
Building	Medical School North / QEH -
Floor/Room	6 20g
Campus	North Terrace / The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Org Unit	Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) / Surgery

To link to this page, please use the following URL:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/wendy.ingman

Biography/ Background

THRF A/Prof of Breast Cancer Research/National Breast Cancer Foundation Early Career Fellow

Head, Breast Biology and Cancer Unit

Our research focusses on both the normal functioning of the mammary gland and how disease states develop in the breast. We use a combination of mouse models and human tissue to investigate the role of immune cells in mammary gland development, breast cancer and mastitis. Our research is funded by the NHMRC, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the Hospital Research Foundation and the Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation.

Macrophages in mammary gland development and cancer susceptiblity

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women, with approximately 13,000 new cases diagnosed each year in Australia. The aim of our research is to understand why this tissue has such high susceptibility to cancer, with the hypothesis that altered immune system function is an underlying cause. The body has a number of systems in place to help repair DNA mutations when they occur, thus protecting the body from cancer. Cells of the immune system are part of the body’s defence against cancer, and can recognise and eliminate cells containing DNA mutations. However, our research shows that in the breast, immune cells called macrophages are also critical for the normal function across the ovarian cycle. The requirement for macrophages for the everyday functioning of this tissue is unique to the breast, and this can affect how the immune system responds to DNA mutations. The overarching objective of this research is to provide therapies that promote better immune function in the breast, thus reducing a woman’s lifetime risk of developing the disease.

Mastitis

Mastitis is a common inflammatory disease in lactating women that causes pain, fever, low milk supply and leads many to cease breastfeeding. We are investigating the cellular mechanisms that lead to inflammation and examining potential therapies to quickly and effectively stop the symptoms of mastitis.

Publications

Selected publications

Chua ACL, Hodson LJ, Moldenhauer LM, Robertson SA, Ingman WV. Dual roles for macrophages in ovarian cycle-associated development and remodelling of the mammary gland epithelium. Development 2010 137:4229-4238

Ingman WV, Robertson SA. The essential roles of TGFB1 in reproduction. Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews 2009 20(3):233-239

Ingman WV, Robertson SA. Mammary gland development in transforming growth factor beta1 null mutant mice: systemic and epithelial effects. Biology of Reproduction 2008 79:711-717

Ingman WV, Jones RL. Cytokine knockouts in reproduction: The use of gene ablation to dissect the roles of cytokines in reproductive biology. Human Reproduction Update 2008 14:179-192

Ingman WV, Wyckoff J, Gouon-Evans V, Condeelis J, Pollard JW. Macrophages promote collagen fibrillogenesis around terminal end buds of the developing mammary gland. Developmental Dynamics 2006 235(12):3222-3229

Ingman WV, Robertson SA. TGFbeta1 null mutation causes infertility in male mice associated with testosterone deficiency and sexual dysfunction. Endocrinology 2007 148(8):4032-4043

Ingman WV, Robker RL, Woitiez K, Robertson SA. Null mutation in TGF1 disrupts ovarian function causing impaired folliculogenesis, oocyte incompetence and early embryo arrest. Endocrinology 2006 147(2):835-845

Entry last updated: Wednesday, 11 Jan 2012

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