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PMID: 15886884 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. Review

Pregnancy and stem cell behavior.

Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia ·Vol. 10 ·No. 1 ·2005-01-00 ·Pages 25-36

Wagner KU, Smith GH

Abstract

The identification of cancer-initiating epithelial subtypes (i.e. cancer stem cells) is important for gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the process of neoplastic transformation and tumorigenesis. Since reproductive history has a major impact on breast tumorigenesis, it is reasonable to assume that pregnancy and lactation have enduring effects on the cancer susceptibility of multipotent progenitors. Using the Cre-lox technology as a tool to genetically label pregnancy-hormone-responsive cells, we identified a mammary epithelial subtype that is abundant in parous females. These pregnancy-induced mammary epithelial cells (PI-MECs) originate from differentiating cells during the first pregnancy and lactation cycle. They do not undergo apoptosis during postlactational remodeling, and they persist throughout the remainder of a female's life. In this review, we discuss the biological relevance of PI-MECs in multiparous females and their important stem cell-like features, such as self renewal, as well as their ability to produce progeny with diverse cellular fates. Using appropriate animal models, we further demonstrate that PI-MECs are cellular targets for pregnancy-enhanced mammary tumorigenesis.

MeSH Terms
Animals Breast Neoplasms/metabolism,pathology Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Epithelial Cells/cytology,metabolism,pathology Female Humans Lactation/physiology Parity/physiology Pregnancy Stem Cells/cytology,metabolism,pathology
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Wagner Kay-Uwe
Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA. kuwagner@unmc.edu
Smith Gilbert H
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Article Info
Journal
Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia
Abbr.
J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia
ISSN
1083-3021
DOI
10.1007/s10911-005-2538-1
Email
kuwagner@unmc.edu
Published
2005-01-00
Pages
25-36
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
9601804
Subset
IM
Grants
NCI NIH HHS · CA93797 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/s10911-005-2538-1 View journal details
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