title: Human breast epithelial stem cells and their regulation.
abstract: This review summarizes the current evidence for the existence of human breast stem cells and the pathways involved in their regulation, and discusses how the disruption of these pathways may result in the generation of a population of cells with the capacity for unlimited self-renewal. Relevant data from mouse model systems are also discussed where appropriate. By understanding the molecular pathways that regulate self-renewal of normal mammary stem cells, it may be possible to target the activation of these pathways in breast tumours.
authors.affiliation: Breast Biology Group, Division of Cancer Studies, University of Manchester, Christie Hospital, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalirai
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D052138:Genes, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha