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Review
. 2007;9(4):304.
doi: 10.1186/bcr1740.

Estrogen regulation of mammary gland development and breast cancer: amphiregulin takes center stage

Heather L LaMarca  1 , Jeffrey M Rosen
Affiliations
Review

Estrogen regulation of mammary gland development and breast cancer: amphiregulin takes center stage

Heather L LaMarca et al. Breast Cancer Res. 2007.

Abstract

Estrogen-mediated proliferation is fundamental to normal mammary gland development. Recent studies have demonstrated that amphiregulin is a critical paracrine regulator of estrogen action during ductal morphogenesis. These studies implicate a critical role for amphiregulin in mammary stem cell differentiation as well as breast cancer initiation and progression.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mammary stem cells and the estrogen receptor (ER). ER-negative stem cells may asymmetrically divide to self-renew and to give rise to undifferentiated ER-positive progenitor cells. In response to estrogens, ER-positive progenitors secrete paracrine factors, such as amphiregulin (AREG) that can influence the proliferation and/or differentiation of ER-negative stem cells. E2, estradiol.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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