title: A Molecular View of Pathological Microcalcification in Breast Cancer.
abstract: Breast microcalcification is a potential diagnostic indicator for non-palpable breast cancers. Microcalcification type I (calcium oxalate) is restricted to benign tissue, whereas type II (calcium hydroxyapatite) occurs both in benign as well as in malignant lesions. Microcalcification is a pathological complication of the mammary gland. Over the past few decades, much attention has been paid to exploit this property, which forms the basis for advances in diagnostic procedures and imaging techniques. The mechanism of its formation is still poorly understood. Hence, in this paper, we have attempted to address the molecular mechanism of microcalcification in breast cancer. The central theme of this communication is "how a subpopulation of heterogeneous breast tumor cells attains an osteoblast-like phenotype, and what activities drive the process of pathophysiological microcalcification, especially at the invasive or infiltrating front of breast tumors". The role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) along with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in manipulating this pathological process has been highlighted. Therefore, this review offers a novel insight into the mechanism underlying the development of microcalcification in breast carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India.
authors.forename: Tanu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Radosevich
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, J.L.N Medical College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305001, India.
authors.forename: Geeta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pachori
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India. chandicmandal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chandi C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Mandal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001940:Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins
keywords: Bone morphogenetic proteins; Breast cancer; Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition; Matrix vesicles; Metastasis; Microcalcification; Osteoblast differentiation