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Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology Jun 2021The mammary gland is dynamically remodelled during its postnatal development and the reproductive cycles. This inherent plasticity has been suggested to increase the...
The mammary gland is dynamically remodelled during its postnatal development and the reproductive cycles. This inherent plasticity has been suggested to increase the susceptibility of the organ to carcinogenesis. Morphological changes in the mammary epithelium involve cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration which, in turn, are affected by cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Integrin adhesion receptors function in the sensing of the biochemical composition, patterning and mechanical properties of the ECM surrounding the cells, and strongly influence cell fate. This review aims to summarize the existing literature on how different aspects of integrin-mediated adhesion and mechanosensing, including ECM composition; stiffness and topography; integrin expression patterns; focal adhesion assembly; dynamic regulation of the actin cytoskeleton; and nuclear mechanotransduction affect mammary gland development, function and homeostasis. As the mechanical properties of a complex tissue environment are challenging to replicate in vitro, emphasis has been placed on studies conducted in vivo or using organoid models. Outright, these studies indicate that mechanosensing also contributes to the regulation of mammary gland morphogenesis in multiple ways.
Topics: Cell Adhesion; Extracellular Matrix; Humans; Integrins; Mammary Glands, Human; Mechanotransduction, Cellular
PubMed: 33187835
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.10.010 -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2022Cancer is characterized as a reversion of a differentiated cell to a primitive cell state that recapitulates, in many aspects, features of embryonic cells. This review... (Review)
Review
Cancer is characterized as a reversion of a differentiated cell to a primitive cell state that recapitulates, in many aspects, features of embryonic cells. This review explores the current knowledge of developmental mechanisms that are essential for embryonic mouse mammary gland development, with a particular focus on genes and signaling pathway components that are essential for the induction, morphogenesis, and lineage specification of the mammary gland. The roles of these same genes and signaling pathways in mammary gland or breast tumorigenesis and metastasis are then summarized. Strikingly, key embryonic developmental pathways are often reactivated or dysregulated during tumorigenesis and metastasis in processes such as aberrant proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and stem cell potency which affects cellular lineage hierarchy. These observations are in line with findings from recent studies using lineage tracing as well as bulk- and single-cell transcriptomics that have uncovered features of embryonic cells in cancer and metastasis through the identification of cell types, cell states and characterisation of their dynamic changes. Given the many overlapping features and similarities of the molecular signatures of normal development and cancer, embryonic molecular signatures could be useful prognostic markers for cancer. In this way, the study of embryonic development will continue to complement the understanding of the mechanisms of cancer and aid in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and strategies.
PubMed: 35846378
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.938625 -
Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and... Jul 2023On 8 December 2022 the organizing committee of the European Network for Breast Development and Cancer labs (ENBDC) held its fifth annual Think Tank meeting in Amsterdam,... (Review)
Review
On 8 December 2022 the organizing committee of the European Network for Breast Development and Cancer labs (ENBDC) held its fifth annual Think Tank meeting in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Here, we embraced the opportunity to look back to identify the most prominent breakthroughs of the past ten years and to reflect on the main challenges that lie ahead for our field in the years to come. The outcomes of these discussions are presented in this position paper, in the hope that it will serve as a summary of the current state of affairs in mammary gland biology and breast cancer research for early career researchers and other newcomers in the field, and as inspiration for scientists and clinicians to move the field forward.
Topics: Humans; Female; Mammary Glands, Human; Breast Neoplasms; Breast; Biology
PubMed: 37450065
DOI: 10.1007/s10911-023-09544-y -
Bio-protocol Jul 2020For years, the mammary gland serves as a perfect example to study the self-renew and differentiation of adult stem cells, and the regulatory mechanisms of these...
For years, the mammary gland serves as a perfect example to study the self-renew and differentiation of adult stem cells, and the regulatory mechanisms of these processes as well. To assess the function of given genes and/or other factors on stemness of mammary cells, several assays were developed, such as mammospheres formation assay, detection of stem cell markers by mRNA expression or flow cytometry and so on. However, the capacity of reconstruction of whole mount in the cleared fat pad of recipient female mice is a golden standard to estimate the stemness of the cells. Here we described a step-by-step protocol for mammary gland formation assay, including preparation of "cleared" recipients and mammary cells for implantation, the surgery process and how to assess the experimental results. Combined with manipulation of mammary cells via gene editing and /or drug treatment, this protocol could be very useful in the researches of mammary stem cells and mammary development.
PubMed: 33659337
DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.3667 -
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology Jun 2021Understanding the complexity and heterogeneity of mammary cell subpopulations is vital to delineate the mechanisms behind breast cancer development, progression and... (Review)
Review
Understanding the complexity and heterogeneity of mammary cell subpopulations is vital to delineate the mechanisms behind breast cancer development, progression and prevention. Increasingly sophisticated tools for investigating these cell subtypes has led to the development of a greater understanding of these cell subtypes, complex interplay of certain subtypes and their developmental potential. Of note, increasing accessibility and affordability of single cell technologies has led to a plethora of studies being published containing data from mammary cell subtypes and their differentiation potential in both mice and human data sets. Here, we review the different types of single cell technologies and how they have been used to improve our understanding of mammary gland development.
Topics: Female; Humans; Mammary Glands, Human; Single-Cell Analysis
PubMed: 33810979
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.03.013 -
Genes Jun 2022Cellular senescence (CS) is a major homeostatic biological process, which plays a key role in normal tissue development and provides protection from stressful cell... (Review)
Review
Cellular senescence (CS) is a major homeostatic biological process, which plays a key role in normal tissue development and provides protection from stressful cell insults. The role of CS in mammary-gland development and breast cancer is not well understood. While there is a lack of experimental data on the role of CS in the development of the pre-pubertal mammary gland, there is evidence for a biphasic senescence response in adult normal-mammary-epithelial cells, where the bypass of the first senescence barrier (M0) seems to be a key step in the development of premalignant lesions, with genetic abnormalities that resemble in situ breast carcinoma. Further, there is accumulating evidence for the role of cellular senescence in breast-cancer response, regarding treatment and patient outcome. Here, we review the current literature on cellular senescence, in epithelial-mammary cells, breast-cancer cells, and breast-tumor-microenvironment-resident cells. Furthermore, we discuss its putative role in breast-cancer response, regarding treatment and disease progression. In addition, we provide preliminary evidence of CS in breast-cancer-microenvironment cells, such as tumor-associated fibroblasts and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, by employing the novel GL13 lipofuscin stain, as a marker of cellular senescence.
Topics: Adult; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Cellular Senescence; Epithelial Cells; Female; Humans; Mammary Glands, Human; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 35741756
DOI: 10.3390/genes13060994 -
Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and... Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Animals; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Mammary Glands, Human; Lymphatic System; Lymphatic Vessels; Biology; Mammary Glands, Animal; Breast
PubMed: 38493420
DOI: 10.1007/s10911-024-09558-0 -
Nutrients Oct 2019A large number of nutrients and bioactive ingredients found in milk play an important role in the nourishment of breast-fed infants and dairy consumers. Some of these... (Review)
Review
A large number of nutrients and bioactive ingredients found in milk play an important role in the nourishment of breast-fed infants and dairy consumers. Some of these ingredients include physiologically relevant compounds such as vitamins, peptides, neuroactive compounds and hormones. Conversely, milk may contain substances-drugs, pesticides, carcinogens, environmental pollutants-which have undesirable effects on health. The transfer of these compounds into milk is unavoidably linked to the function of transport proteins. Expression of transporters belonging to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC-) and Solute Carrier (SLC-) superfamilies varies with the lactation stages of the mammary gland. In particular, Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides 1A2 (OATP1A2) and 2B1 (OATP2B1), Organic Cation Transporter 1 (OCT1), Novel Organic Cation Transporter 1 (OCTN1), Concentrative Nucleoside Transporters 1, 2 and 3 (CNT1, CNT2 and CNT3), Peptide Transporter 2 (PEPT2), Sodium-dependent Vitamin C Transporter 2 (SVCT2), Multidrug Resistance-associated Protein 5 (ABCC5) and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (ABCG2) are highly induced during lactation. This review will focus on these transporters overexpressed during lactation and their role in the transfer of products into the milk, including both beneficial and harmful compounds. Furthermore, additional factors, such as regulation, polymorphisms or drug-drug interactions will be described.
Topics: Animals; Drug Interactions; Female; Food Contamination; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Lactation; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mammary Glands, Human; Membrane Transport Proteins; Milk; Milk, Human; Nutritive Value; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Polymorphism, Genetic; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 31590349
DOI: 10.3390/nu11102372 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Sep 2023Mammary gland hyperplasia is a common gynecological disease, which seriously affects the patient's physical and mental health. Therapeutic strategies to treat the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Mammary gland hyperplasia is a common gynecological disease, which seriously affects the patient's physical and mental health. Therapeutic strategies to treat the disease include endocrine therapy and surgery. Compared to Western treatment, traditional Chinese medicine prescription shows its superiority in treatment. The purpose of this review was to provide a reference for the determination of the pathogenesis, treatment principles, and treatment methods of mammary gland hyperplasia.
METHOD
This article comprehensively reviewed the records on mammary gland hyperplasia in ancient Chinese medical literature.
RESULTS
The present review discussed the disease and summarizes the information on mammary gland hyperplasia, including the disease name, the traditional Chinese medicine analysis, etiology, pathogenesis, treatment methods, prognosis, and nursing care.
CONCLUSION
We clearly described the research history of mammary gland hyperplasia, and the analysis and treatment of this disease by physicians in past dynasties. This information will help modern physicians to fully understand the disease development and treatment process.
Topics: Humans; Hyperplasia; Mammary Glands, Human; Medicine, Chinese Traditional
PubMed: 37235489
DOI: No ID Found -
Genes Apr 2021In mammals, milk is essential for the growth, development, and health. Milk quantity and quality are dependent on mammary development, strongly influenced by nutrition.... (Review)
Review
In mammals, milk is essential for the growth, development, and health. Milk quantity and quality are dependent on mammary development, strongly influenced by nutrition. This review provides an overview of the data on nutritional regulations of mammary development and gene expression involved in milk component synthesis. Mammary development is described related to rodents, rabbits, and pigs, common models in mammary biology. Molecular mechanisms of the nutritional regulation of milk synthesis are reported in ruminants regarding the importance of ruminant milk in human health. The effects of dietary quantitative and qualitative alterations are described considering the dietary composition and in regard to the periods of nutritional susceptibly. During lactation, the effects of lipid supplementation and feed restriction or deprivation are discussed regarding gene expression involved in milk biosynthesis, in ruminants. Moreover, nutrigenomic studies underline the role of the mammary structure and the potential influence of microRNAs. Knowledge from three lactating and three dairy livestock species contribute to understanding the variety of phenotypes reported in this review and highlight (1) the importance of critical physiological stages, such as puberty gestation and early lactation and (2) the relative importance of the various nutrients besides the total energetic value and their interaction.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Lactation; Mammary Glands, Animal; Milk; Models, Animal; Nutrigenomics; Ruminants
PubMed: 33916721
DOI: 10.3390/genes12040523