Mammary gland stem cells: More puzzles than explanations

Journal of biosciences

Satish Kumar1¹  Suneesh Kaimala¹ 

[1] CSIR - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Habsiguda, Hyderabad 500 007, India$$

关键词: Epithelial cells;    mammary gland;    markers;    mouse;    parity;    stem;   

DOI  :  

来源: Indian Academy of Sciences

【 摘 要 】

Mammary gland stem cells (MaSC) have not been identified in spite of extensive research spanning over several decades. This has been primarily due to the complexity of mammary gland structure and its development, cell heterogeneity in the mammary gland and the insufficient knowledge about MaSC markers. At present, Lin–CD29hiCD49fhiCD24+/modSca-1– cells of the mammary gland have been reported to be enriched with MaSCs. We suggest that the inclusion of stem cell markers like Oct4, Sox2, Nanog and the mammary gland differentiation marker BRCA-1 may further narrow down the search for MaSCs. In addition, we have discussed some of the other unresolved puzzles on the mammary gland stem cells, such as their similarities and/or differences with mammary cancer stem cells, use of milk as source of mammary stem cells and the possibility of in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into functional mammary gland structures in this review. Nevertheless, it is the lack of identity for a MaSC that is curtailing the advances in some of the above and other related areas.

【 授权许可】

Unknown