Human mammary epithelial cells in culture: differentiation and transformation

摘要: The development of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) tissue culture systems has permitted these cells to be examined under controlled experimental conditions. Since recourse in vivo studies is not possible with humans, the fidelity which system reflects situation particularly important, if information obtained vitro have meaning for understanding normal and perturbed functions breast. We describe here our results developing a long term growth monolayer [1–4]. While this still far from providing an accurate representation many different stages functional differentiation may occur breast, it useful beginning understand control differentiated states, examine multiple steps progression malignantly transformed cells.