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Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and... Sep 2021The twelfth annual workshop of the European Network for Breast Development and Cancer focused on methods in mammary gland biology and breast cancer, was scheduled to...
The twelfth annual workshop of the European Network for Breast Development and Cancer focused on methods in mammary gland biology and breast cancer, was scheduled to take place on March 26-28, 2020, in Weggis, Switzerland. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was rescheduled twice and eventually happened as a virtual meeting on April 22 and 23, 2021. The main topics of the meeting were branching and development of the mammary gland, tumor microenvironment, circulating tumor cells, tumor dormancy and breast cancer metastasis. Novel and unpublished findings related to these topics were presented, with a particular focus on the methods used to obtain them. Virtual poster sessions were a success, with many constructive and fruitful interactions between researchers and covered many areas of mammary gland biology and breast cancer.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Biomedical Research; Breast Neoplasms; Combined Modality Therapy; Europe; Female; Humans; Mammary Glands, Human; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; Prognosis; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 34448098
DOI: 10.1007/s10911-021-09498-z -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2022Breast cancer is among the most common cancers in women, second to skin cancer. Mammary gland development can influence breast cancer development in later life.... (Review)
Review
Breast cancer is among the most common cancers in women, second to skin cancer. Mammary gland development can influence breast cancer development in later life. Processes such as proliferation, invasion, and migration during mammary gland development can often mirror processes found in breast cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small, non-coding RNAs, can repress post-transcriptional RNA expression and can regulate up to 80% of all genes. Expression of miRNAs play a key role in mammary gland development, and aberrant expression can initiate or promote breast cancer. Here, we review the role of miRNAs in mammary development and breast cancer, and potential parallel roles. A total of 32 miRNAs were found to be expressed in both mammary gland development and breast cancer. These miRNAs are involved in proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and apoptosis in both processes. Some miRNAs were found to have contradictory roles, possibly due to their ability to target many genes at once. Investigation of miRNAs and their role in mammary gland development may inform about their role in breast cancer. In particular, by studying miRNA in development, mechanisms and potential targets for breast cancer treatment may be elucidated.
Topics: Female; Humans; Apoptosis; Breast Neoplasms; Gene Expression Profiling; Mammary Glands, Human; MicroRNAs
PubMed: 36555616
DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415978 -
Oncotarget Feb 2017The mammary gland is an organ comprising two primary lineages, specifically the inner luminal and the outer myoepithelial cell layers. Mammary gland stem cells (MaSCs)... (Review)
Review
The mammary gland is an organ comprising two primary lineages, specifically the inner luminal and the outer myoepithelial cell layers. Mammary gland stem cells (MaSCs) are highly dynamic and self-renewing, and can give rise to these mammary gland lineages. The lineages are responsible for gland generation during puberty as well as expansion during pregnancy. In recent years, researchers have focused on understanding how MaSCs are regulated during mammary gland development and transformation of breast cancer. Here, we summarize the identification of MaSCs, and how they are regulated by the signaling transduction pathways, mammary gland microenvironment, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Moreover, we debate the evidence for their serving as the origin of breast cancer, and discuss the therapeutic perspectives of targeting breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). In conclusion, a better understanding of the key regulators of MaSCs is crucial for the clinical treatment of breast cancer.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Differentiation; Cell Lineage; Cell Proliferation; Cell Self Renewal; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mammary Glands, Human; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Phenotype; Signal Transduction; Stem Cell Niche; Stem Cells; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 27793013
DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12893 -
Nutrients Dec 2019Vitamin A (all--retinol), its active derivatives retinal and retinoic acid, and their synthetic analogues constitute the group of retinoids. It is obtained from diet... (Review)
Review
Vitamin A (all--retinol), its active derivatives retinal and retinoic acid, and their synthetic analogues constitute the group of retinoids. It is obtained from diet either as preformed vitamin A or as carotenoids. Retinal plays a biological role in vision, but most of the effects of vitamin A are exerted by retinoic acid, which binds to nuclear receptors and regulates gene transcription. Vitamin A deficiency is an important nutritional problem, particularly in the developing world. Retinol and carotenoids from diet during pregnancy and lactation influence their concentration in breast milk, which is important in the long term, not only for the offspring, but also for maternal health. In this study, we review the role of vitamin A in mammary gland metabolism, where retinoid signaling is required not only for morphogenesis and development of the gland and for adequate milk production, but also during the weaning process, when epithelial cell death is coupled with tissue remodeling.
Topics: Animals; Carotenoids; Diet; Female; Humans; Lactation; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mammary Glands, Human; Milk, Human; Nutritional Requirements; Pregnancy; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Weaning
PubMed: 31892157
DOI: 10.3390/nu12010080 -
Cancer Medicine Feb 2024Macrophages are innate immune cells that are associated with extensive phenotypic and functional plasticity and contribute to normal development, tissue homeostasis, and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Macrophages are innate immune cells that are associated with extensive phenotypic and functional plasticity and contribute to normal development, tissue homeostasis, and diseases such as cancer. In this review, we discuss the heterogeneity of tissue resident macrophages in the normal mammary gland and tumor-associated macrophages in breast cancer. Tissue resident macrophages are required for mammary gland development, where they have been implicated in promoting extracellular matrix remodeling, apoptotic clearance, and cellular crosstalk. In the context of cancer, tumor-associated macrophages are key drivers of growth and metastasis via their ability to promote matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and immunosuppression.
METHOD
We identified and summarized studies in Pubmed that describe the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of macrophages and the implications of targeting individual subsets, specifically in the context of mammary gland development and breast cancer. We also identified and summarized recent studies using single-cell RNA sequencing to identify and describe macrophage subsets in human breast cancer samples.
RESULTS
Advances in single-cell RNA sequencing technologies have yielded nuances in macrophage heterogeneity, with numerous macrophage subsets identified in both the normal mammary gland and breast cancer tissue. Macrophage subsets contribute to mammary gland development and breast cancer progression in differing ways, and emerging studies highlight a role for spatial localization in modulating their phenotype and function.
CONCLUSION
Understanding macrophage heterogeneity and the unique functions of each subset in both normal mammary gland development and breast cancer progression may lead to more promising targets for the treatment of breast cancer.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Female; Mammary Glands, Human; Breast Neoplasms; Mammary Glands, Animal; Breast; Macrophages
PubMed: 38426622
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7053 -
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 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Jan 2022Nearly all mammals rely on lactation to support their young and to ensure the continued survival of their species. Despite its importance, relatively little is known... (Review)
Review
Nearly all mammals rely on lactation to support their young and to ensure the continued survival of their species. Despite its importance, relatively little is known about how milk is produced and how it is ejected from the lumen of mammary alveoli and ducts. This review focuses on the latter. We discuss how a relatively small number of basal cells, wrapping around each alveolar unit, contract to forcibly expel milk from the alveolar lumen. We consider how individual basal cells coordinate their activity, the fate of these cells at the end of lactation and avenues for future deliberation and exploration.
Topics: Animals; Cell Plasticity; Epithelial Cells; Female; Humans; Lactation; Mammary Glands, Human
PubMed: 34653580
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119159 -
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 -
Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and... Sep 2021Mammary gland development primarily occurs postnatally, and this unique process is complex and regulated by systemic hormones and local growth factors. The mammary gland... (Review)
Review
Mammary gland development primarily occurs postnatally, and this unique process is complex and regulated by systemic hormones and local growth factors. The mammary gland is also a highly dynamic organ that undergoes profound changes at puberty and during the reproductive cycle. These changes are driven by mammary stem cells (MaSCs). Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death in women. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play prominent roles in tumor initiation, drug resistance, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. The highly conserved Notch signaling pathway functions as a key regulator of the niche mediating mammary organogenesis and breast neoplasia. In this review, we discuss mechanisms by which Notch contributes to breast carcinoma pathology and suggest potentials for therapeutic targeting of Notch in breast cancer. In summary, we provide a comprehensive overview of Notch functions in regulating MaSCs, mammary development, and breast cancer.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinogenesis; Female; Humans; Mammary Glands, Human; Receptors, Notch; Signal Transduction; Stem Cells
PubMed: 34374886
DOI: 10.1007/s10911-021-09496-1 -
Acta Biochimica Et Biophysica Sinica May 2023The functional capacity of organisms declines in the process of aging. In the case of breast tissue, abnormal mammary gland development can lead to dysfunction in milk... (Review)
Review
The functional capacity of organisms declines in the process of aging. In the case of breast tissue, abnormal mammary gland development can lead to dysfunction in milk secretion, a primary function, as well as the onset of various diseases, such as breast cancer. In the process of aging, the terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs) within the breast undergo gradual degeneration, while the proportion of adipose tissue in the breast continues to increase and hormonal levels in the breast change accordingly. Here, we review changes in morphology, internal structure, and cellular composition that occur in the mammary gland during aging. We also explore the emerging mechanisms of breast aging and the relationship between changes during aging and breast-related diseases, as well as potential interventions for delaying mammary gland aging and preventing breast disease.
Topics: Humans; Female; Mammary Glands, Human; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Aging
PubMed: 37184281
DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023073