Mammary Gland Stem Cells in Mice (IMAGE)
Caption
Researchers from Princeton University's Department of Molecular Biology have identified a small RNA molecule that helps maintain the activity of stem cells in both healthy and cancerous breast tissue. Above, the microscopic image shows different cell types in the normal mammary ducts of a mouse. The luminal cells (red) are milk-producing cells and the basal cells (green) have contractile functions, but also are responsible for regenerating the mammary gland, as they contain the majority of mammary gland stem cells. These stem cells, located in the outer layer of the gland, are exposed to microenvironmental factors and interact with various immune cells, including macrophages, in the mammary gland.
Credit
Image courtesy of Toni Celià-Terrassa and Yibin Kang, Department of Molecular Biology
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Image courtesy of Toni Celià-Terrassa and Yibin Kang, Department of Molecular Biology
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