Abstract
Evidences have supported the pivotal roles of stem cells in mammary gland development. Many molecular markers have been identified to characterize mammary stem cells. Cellular fate mapping of mammary stem cells by lineage tracing has put unprecedented insights into the mammary stem cell biology, which identified two subtypes of mammary stem cells, including unipotent and multipotent, which specifically differentiate to luminal or basal cells. The emerging single-cell sequencing profiles have given a more comprehensive understanding on the cellular hierarchy and lineage signatures of mammary epithelium. Besides, the stem cell niche worked as an essential regulator in sustaining the functions of mammary stem cells. In this review, we provide an overview of the characteristics of mammary stem cells. The cellular origins of mammary gland are discussed to understand the stem cell heterogeneity and their diverse differentiations. Importantly, current studies suggested that the breast cancer stem cells may originate from the mammary stem cells after specific mutations, indicating their close relationships. Here, we also outline the recent advances and controversies in the cancer relevance of mammary stem cells.
Highlights
Stem cells are a group of undifferentiated cells, possessing two essential properties: the ability to maintain long-term self-renewal and capacity to differentiate into specialized cell lineages [1]
Considering the significantly tumorigenic roles of stem cells in cancer, we discussed about the relationships between Mammary stem cells (MaSCs) and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), as well as the potential regulatory mechanisms of the MaSCs that deviated in breast cancer
In the recent two decades, impressive advances have been witnessed in understanding the mammary gland development, in which MaSC hypothesis provided very important models
Summary
Stem cells are a group of undifferentiated cells, possessing two essential properties: the ability to maintain long-term self-renewal and capacity to differentiate into specialized cell lineages [1]. Mammary stem cells (MaSCs), which defined as the stem cells existing in mammary gland, are essential for maintaining mammary homeostasis and repair. Unlike most other mammalian organs that developed in embryonic phase, mammary gland develops greatly postnatally, further emphasizing the pivotal roles of the adult stem and progenitor cells on mammary gland. We reviewed current advances of studies in stem cells and cellular origins of mammary gland, including MaSCs in mammary gland development, molecular markers of MaSCs, cellular fate mapping of MaSCs by lineage tracing, and stem cell niche as a regulator in sustaining MaSC function. Considering the significantly tumorigenic roles of stem cells in cancer, we discussed about the relationships between MaSCs and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), as well as the potential regulatory mechanisms of the MaSCs that deviated in breast cancer
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