The Mammary Gland Microenvironment and Progenitor Cell Fate
Author Information
Author(s): Karen M. Bussard, Gilbert H. Smith
Primary Institution: Mammary Biology and Tumorigenesis Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
Hypothesis
The mammary gland microenvironment influences progenitor cell differentiation.
Conclusion
The mammary gland microenvironment plays a crucial role in directing progenitor cell fate and can even reprogram non-mammary cells to behave like mammary epithelial cells.
Supporting Evidence
- Signals from the mammary gland microenvironment can reprogram adult somatic cells into mammary epithelial cells.
- The mammary gland can regenerate from a single progenitor cell.
- Cell-cell contact and diffusible factors are crucial for maintaining progenitor cell fate.
Takeaway
The environment around mammary cells helps decide what those cells become, and it can even change other types of cells to act like mammary cells.
Methodology
The study reviews existing literature and experimental data on the influence of the mammary gland microenvironment on progenitor cells.
Limitations
The specific molecular mechanisms of how the microenvironment influences cell fate are not fully understood.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website