title: Integrins in mammary-stem-cell biology and breast-cancer progression--a role in cancer stem cells?
abstract: Cancer cells with stem cell-like properties (cancer stem cells) are believed to drive cancer and are associated with poor prognosis. Data from mouse models have demonstrated that integrins, the major cellular receptors for extracellular-matrix components, have essential roles both during cancer initiation and progression, and during cell differentiation in normal development. By presenting an overview of the role of integrins in stem-cell biology and in cancer progression, this Commentary aims to present evidence for a role of integrins in the biology of cancer stem cells. Given the recent interest in the role of integrins in breast-cancer initiation and progression, we focus on the role of the members of the integrin family and their coupled signaling pathways in mammary-gland development and tumorigenesis.
authors.affiliation: Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, 1160 Avenue Des Pins Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A3.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pontier
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Muller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D016023:Integrins