Published in:
01-03-2007
The Beginning of the End: Death Signaling in Early Involution
Authors:
Fiona O. Baxter, Kevin Neoh, Maxine C. Tevendale
Published in:
Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia
|
Issue 1/2007
Login to get access
Abstract
Mammary gland involution occurs in two distinct phases: an early, reversible phase, involving extensive apoptosis of the secretory alveolar epithelium without major changes in gland architecture, and a later, irreversible phase, involving remodelling of the gland to its pre-pregnancy state. Multiple signalling pathways are known to be important during early involution, however the precise triggers remain elusive. This review summarizes the roles of a number of key pathways (NF-κB, PI(3)K, Stat3, and TGFβ) in the first phase of involution.