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Breast Cancer Research
Published in: Breast Cancer Research 2/2006

01-04-2006 | Review

Key stages in mammary gland development - Involution: apoptosis and tissue remodelling that convert the mammary gland from milk factory to a quiescent organ

Author: Christine J Watson

Published in: Breast Cancer Research | Issue 2/2006

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Abstract

Involution of the mammary gland is an essential process that removes the milk-producing epithelial cells when they become redundant at weaning. It is a two-step process that involves the death of the secretory epithelium and its replacement by adipo-cytes. During the first phase, remodelling is inhibited and apoptotic cells can be seen in the lumena of the alveoli. In the second phase, apoptosis is accompanied by remodelling of the surrounding stroma and re-differentiation of the adipocytes. Considerable effort has been directed towards understanding the molecular mechanisms of the involution process and this has resulted in the identification of the principal signalling pathways involved.
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Metadata
Title
Key stages in mammary gland development - Involution: apoptosis and tissue remodelling that convert the mammary gland from milk factory to a quiescent organ
Author
Christine J Watson
Publication date
01-04-2006
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Breast Cancer Research / Issue 2/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1465-542X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/bcr1401

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