Distinct stem cells contribute to mammary gland development and maintenance (original) (raw)

The mammary gland contains various stem cell types that play pivotal roles in its development and maintenance. Through genetic lineage-tracing experiments in mice, the study delineates the existence of long-lived unipotent stem cells within both luminal and myoepithelial lineages, which exhibit significant renewal capacity during development, adulthood, and through multiple cycles of pregnancy. This discovery has crucial implications for understanding the physiological functions of the mammary gland and the cellular origins of breast cancer.