乳腺干细胞的信号传导通路与乳腺癌

Correlating signal transduction pathway of mammary epithelial stem cells to breast cancer

乳腺干细胞是成体干细胞的一种,具有多种分化和自我更新能力,乳腺干细胞的研究为乳腺再造及乳腺癌防治提供了理论依据。在正常情况下,乳腺干细胞的分化、更新能力受到信号转导通路和激素的严格调控,一旦这种机制被破坏或调控异常,细胞就会异常分化,无限制的生长、繁殖,形成乳腺癌干细胞,并发生肿瘤。乳腺干细胞增殖分化的信号转导通路Wnt、Wnt/β-catenin、Notch、Hedgehog是多种类型乳腺癌的发病基础。更好地理解乳腺干细胞的信号转导通路及调控机制,了解其自我更新的关键分子,对于设计更为有效的根除肿瘤起始细胞和乳腺癌干细胞的治疗方法至关重要。

Mammary epithelial stem cells, a kind of adult stem cells, possess the potential of multiple differentiation and self-renewal. Studies on mammary epithelial stem cells provide theoretical foundation for mammary gland reconstruction and for preventing and treating breast cancer. Generally, differentiation and renewal of mammary epithelial stem cells are strictly regulated by signal transduction pathway and hormone. Once this mechanism is destroyed or abnormally regulated, cells can abnormally differentiate, unconditionally grow, proliferate, and resulting in mammary epithelial stem cells and tumor. Signal transduction pathway of mammary epithelial stem cell proliferation and differentiation including Wnt, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch and Hedgehog is associated with the onset of breast cancer. To understand the signal transduction pathway, regulatory mechanism and key molecule of self-renewal of mammary epithelial stem cells are crucial for designing an effective method of eradicating tumor initiator cells and mammary epithelial stem cells.