Immune cell location and function during post-natal mammary gland development.
Post-natal mammary gland development requires complex interactions between the epithelial cells and various cell types within the stroma. Recent studies have illustrated the importance of immune cells and their mediators during the various stages of mammary gland development. However, the mechanisms by which these immune cells functionally contribute to mammary gland development are only beginning to be understood. This review provides an overview of the localization of immune cells within the mammary gland during the various stages of post-natal mammary gland development. Furthermore, recent studies are summarized that illustrate the mechanisms by which these cells are recruited to the mammary gland and their functional roles in mammary gland development.
Reed
Johanna R
JR
Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, Graduate Program in Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Schwertfeger
Kathryn L
KL
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines