The immune environment of the mammary gland fluctuates during post-lactational regression and correlates with tumour growth rate.

ABSTRACT: Post-lactational mammary gland regression encompasses extensive programmed cell death and removal of milk-producing epithelial cells, breakdown of extracellular matrix components and redifferentiation of stromal adipocytes. This highly regulated involution process is associated with a transient increased risk of breast cancer in women. Using a syngeneic tumour model, we show that tumour growth is significantly altered depending on the stage of involution at which tumour cells are implanted. Tumour cells injected at day 3 involution grew faster than those in nulliparous mice, whereas tumours initiated at day 6 involution grew significantly slower. These differences in tumour progression correlate with distinct changes in innate immune cells, in particular among F4/80-expressing macrophages

SUBMITTER: Hitchcock J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9124574 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature