MicroRNAs are differentially expressed in breast cancer cells and have been implicated in cancer formation, tumour invasion and metastasis. We investigated the miRNA expression profiles in the developing mammary gland. MiR-137 was expressed prominently in the developing mammary gland. When the miR-137 was over-expressed in the embryo, the mammary epithelium became thickened. Moreover, genes ass...

Postnatal mammary gland morphogenesis is achieved through coordination of signaling networks in both the epithelial and stromal cells of the developing gland. While the major proliferative hormones driving pubertal mammary gland development are estrogen and progesterone, studies in transgenic and knockout mice have successfully identified other steroid and peptide hormones that impact on mammar...

The lactating mammary gland utilizes free plasma amino acids as well as those derived by hydrolysis from circulating short-chain peptides for protein synthesis. Apart from the major route of amino acid nitrogen delivery to the gland by the various transporters for free amino acids, it has been suggested that dipeptides may also be taken up in intact form to serve as a source of amino acids. The...

Mammary gland tumors are very rare in male dogs. In this study, four mammary gland tumors from 3 male dogs (2 intact, 1 neutered) were collected from local animal hospitals. The dogs included two purebred Shih Tzu (1 intact, 1 neutered) and one intact purebred Cocker Spaniel. The mean age of dogs with mammary gland tumors was 9 years (5-12 years). Two dogs had a solitary mass, whereas one dog h...

Epithelial cells from mammary gland tissue that are cultured in vitro are able to maintain specific functions of this gland, such as cellular differentiation and milk protein synthesis. These characteristics make these cells a useful model to study mammary gland physiology, development and differentiation; they can also be used for production of exogenous proteins of pharmaceutical interest. Bo...

The cell polarity protein scribble (SCRIB) is a crucial regulator of polarization, cell migration and tumorigenesis. Whereas SCRIB is known to regulate early stages of mouse mammary gland development, its function in the adult gland is not known. Using an inducible RNA interference (RNAi) mouse model for downregulating SCRIB expression, we report an unexpected role for SCRIB as a positive regul...

BACKGROUND Elf5, an epithelial specific Ets transcription factor, plays a crucial role in the pregnancy-associated development of the mouse mammary gland. Elf5(-/-) embryos do not survive, however the Elf5(+/-) mammary gland displays a severe pregnancy-associated developmental defect. While it is known that Elf5 is crucial for correct mammary development and lactation, the molecular mechanisms ...

AIMS AND BACKGROUND The microenvironment has a well recognized role in breast cancer progression. Despite different theories, the mechanism of early pregnancy protection in mammary carcinogenesis is unknown. Since pregnancy is responsible for mammary gland differentiation, we tested the hypothesis that differentiated mammary epithelial cells may inhibit breast cancer progression. In other words...

During pregnancy, the integrity of the mammary gland epithelium must be maintained by the junctional nexus formed by gap, adherens, and tight junctions for proper alveologenesis. We have previously shown that mammary glands from Gja1(Jrt/+) mice, harboring a mutation in the Gja1 gene encoding connexin (Cx) 43, have reduced Cx43 gap junction function and are unable to release milk to the pups. W...

PURPOSE To apply massage therapy accompanied with stretching exercises for treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia, evaluate the clinical outcome in patients, and estimate the therapy as a novel treatment method for mammary hyperplasia. METHODS 28 adult female patients were selected and treated with massage therapy and stretching exercises focusing on skeleton muscles of chest, abdomen, and ax...