Advancement in Mammary Stem Cell Research

Mammary stem cells (MSCs) are quiescent but able to self-renew and differentiate into a functional mammary gland. Many different technologies have been employed to identify MSCs. However, they remained elusive until recently when the cell surface markers Lin-CD24+CD29high were developed. A single Lin-CD24+CD29high cell can develop into a fully functional mammary gland in a white fat pad, providing strong evidence that these markers identify MSCs. Mammosphere cultures have improved our understanding of the signal pathways involved in mammary stem cell self-renewal and survival. It is essential that the relationship between mammary and breast cancer stem cells is elucidated in order for researchers to develop more efficient therapies for breast cancer. This review will focus on the recent advancements in the field.