Profile

Emilia Peuhu

Adjunct Professor in Physiology

Description of Research

We study the biology of human breast development and cancer, aiming to uncover mechanisms that maintain tissue homeostasis and prevent uncontrolled growth and invasion. Our current focus includes tissue architecture, extracellular matrix interactions, and stem cell regulation. We combine advanced imaging, spatial profiling, 3D cell culture and organoid models, and bioprinting with computational approaches to decode these fundamental processes. Ultimately, we strive to generate transformative insights into mammary gland biology and identify novel targets for breast cancer diagnostics and therapy.

Representative Publications

Pessa JC, Paavolainen O, Puustinen MC, Hästbacka HSE, Puustinen MC, Da Silva AJ, Pihlström S, Gramolelli S, Boström P, Hartiala P, Peuhu E, Joutsen J, Sistonen L: HSF2 drives breast cancer progression by acting as a stage-specific switch between proliferation and invasion. Sci. Adv. 11, eady1289, 2025. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ady1289

Paavolainen O, Peurla M, Koskinen LM, Pohjankukka J, Saberi K, Tammelin E, Sulander S, Valkonen M, Mourao L, Boström P, Brück N, Ruusuvuori P, Scheele CLGJ, Hartiala P and Peuhu E: Volumetric analysis of the terminal ductal lobular unit architecture and cell phenotypes in the human breast. Cell Rep. 43(10), 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114837

Koskinen LM, Nieminen L, Arjonen A, Guzmán C, Peurla M and Peuhu E: Spatial Engineering of Mammary Epithelial Cell Cultures with 3D Bioprinting Reveals Growth Control by Branch Point Proximity. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 29, 5, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-024-09557-1

Conway JRW, Dinc D, Follain G, Paavolainen O, Kaivola J, Boström P, Hartiala P, Peuhu E, and Ivaska J: IGFBP2 secretion by mammary adipocytes limits breast cancer invasion. Sci Adv. 9, eadg1840, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg1840

Englund J, Bui H, Dinc D, Paavolainen O, McKenna T, Laitinen S, Munne P, Klefstrom J, Peuhu E, and Katajisto P: Laminin matrix adhesion regulates mammary epithelial cell self-renewal and identity. JCS. 135:jcs260232, 2022. doi: 10.1242/jcs.260232

Peuhu E, Jacquemet G, Scheele CLGJ, Isomursu A, Laisne M-C, Koskinen LM, Paatero I, Thol K, Georgiadou M, Guzmán C, Koskinen S, Laiho A, Elo LL, Boström P, Hartiala P, van Rheenen J, and Ivaska J: MYO10-filopodia support basement membranes at pre-invasive tumor boundaries. Dev Cell. 57:2350-2364.e7. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2022.09.016

Paavolainen O & Peuhu E: Integrin-mediated mechanosensing in the mammary gland. Semin Cell Dev Bio. 114:113-125, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.10.010

Lerche M, Elosegui-Artola A, Guzman C, Kechagia J, GeorgiadouM, GullbergD, Roca-Cusachs P, Peuhu E, and Ivaska J: Integrin binding dynamics modulate ligand-specific mechanosensing in mammary gland fibroblasts. iScience 23(3):100907, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2020.100907

Isomursu A, Lerche M, Taskinen ME, Ivaska J & Peuhu E: Integrin signaling and mechanotransduction in regulation of somatic stem cells. Experimental Cell Research. 378: 217-225, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.01.027

Peuhu E, Virtakoivu R, Mai A, Wärri A, and Ivaska J: Epithelial vimentin plays a functional role in mammary gland development. Development 144:4103-4113, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.154229

Peuhu E, Kaukonen R, Lerche M, Saari M, Guzmán C, Rantakari P, De Franceschi N, Wärri A, Georgiadou M, Jacquemet G, Mattila E, Virtakoivu R, Liu Y, Attieh Y, Silva KA, Betz T, Sundberg JP, Salmi M, Deugnier M-A, Eliceiri KW, and Ivaska J: SHARPIN regulates collagen architecture and ductal outgrowth in the developing mouse mammary gland. The EMBO Journal 36, 165-182, 2017. tps://doi.org/10.15252/embj.201694387