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Functional Characterization of Stem Cell Activity in the Mouse Mammary Gland

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Abstract

Any portion of the mouse mammary gland is capable of recapitulating a clonally derived complete and functional mammary tree upon transplantation into an epithelial divested mammary fat-pad of a recipient host. As such, it is an ideal model tissue for the study somatic stem cell function. This review will outline what is known regarding the function of stem/progenitor cells in the mouse mammary gland, including how progenitor populations can be functionally defined, the evidence for and potential role of selective DNA strand segregation, and the role of the niche in maintaining and controlling stem cell function.

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  1. Mammary Biology and Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 37 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    Robert D. Bruno & Gilbert H. Smith

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  1. Robert D. Bruno
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  2. Gilbert H. Smith
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Correspondence to Gilbert H. Smith.

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Bruno, R.D., Smith, G.H. Functional Characterization of Stem Cell Activity in the Mouse Mammary Gland. Stem Cell Rev and Rep 7, 238–247 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12015-010-9191-9

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