Intrauterine Breast Development and the Mammary Myoepithelial Lineage

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Abstract

As their name implies, the myoepithelial cells found at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of the human mammary gland disclose features suggestive of a dual epithelial-like and muscle-like differentiation, i.e. they co-express various keratins and vimentin intermediate filaments, as well as smooth muscle-related antigens. This article provides an overview of the literature on intrauterine breast development with special emphasis on the myoepithelial component of the fetal human mammary gland epithelium. It discusses original and recently published immunohistochemical data on myoepithelial precursors and reasserts the relevance of developmental, morphological fetal tissue-based studies to the understanding and the clinical management of adult diseases.

Key Words

breast development fetal breast human immunohistochemistry myoepithelial review 

Abbreviations used

αSMA

alpha-smooth muscle actin

ECM

extracellular matrix

EMA

epithelial membrane antigen

GA

gestational age

wk

week

KRT14

keratin 14

KRT17

keratin 17

KRT19

keratin 19

MMEC

mammary myoepithelial cell

PB

primary bud

PS

projection stalk

PE

projection end

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Copyright information

© Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2006

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Pathology DepartmentSainte-Justine’s HospitalMontrealCanada

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