Structural cues from the tissue microenvironment are essential determinants of the human mammary epithelial cell phenotype.

TitleStructural cues from the tissue microenvironment are essential determinants of the human mammary epithelial cell phenotype.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1998
AuthorsSchmeichel KL, Weaver VM, Bissell MJ
JournalJ Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia
Volume3
Issue2
Pagination201-13
Date Published1998 Apr
ISSN1083-3021
KeywordsBreast, Breast Neoplasms, Cell Line, Epithelial Cells, Extracellular Matrix, Female, Humans, Integrins, Models, Biological
Abstract

Historically, the study of normal human breast function and breast disorders has been significantly impaired by limitations inherent to available model systems. Recent improvements in human breast epithelial cell lines and three-dimensional (3-D)3 culture systems have contributed to the development of in vitro model systems that recapitulate differentiated epithelial cell phenotypes with remarkable fidelity. Molecular characterization of these human breast cell models has demonstrated that normal breast epithelial cell behavior is determined in part by the precise interplay that exists between a cell and its surrounding microenvironment. Recent functional studies of integrins in a human model system provide evidence to support the idea that the structural stability afforded by integrin-mediated cell-extracellular matrix interactions is an important determinant of normal cellular behavior, and that alterations in tissue structure can give rise to tumorigenic progression.

Alternate JournalJ Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia
PubMed ID10819528
PubMed Central IDPMC2933208
Grant ListCA57621 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
CA64786 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA057621-07 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA064786-05 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States