Development, normal morphological changes and homeostasis
of the mammary gland:
interactions between hormones, epithelial cells and stroma
Miliaras D, Kerameos-Foroglou Ch
Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, Aristotelian
University, Thessaloniki, Greece
Mammary gland is a unique organ that is continuously developing
from its primary bud in embryonal life till breast formation at
puberty. It undergoes cyclic changes during reproductive age,
while complete differentiation is achieved only after parturition.
The organ progressively involutes after menopause. Mammary gland
homeostasis depends on complex interactions between hormones,
and epithelial cells and their microenvironment. Ôhe molecules
of cellular connections as integrins and cadherins, growth factors
and their cellular receptors, matrix metalloproteinases, the
mechanism of apoptosis, and genes responsible for genome integrity maintenance (i.e. BRCA), all have important roles in these
interactions.
Key words: Âreast, steroid hormones, cellular connections,
growth factors, apoptosis.
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