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Review
. 2010 Sep;15(3):329-39.
doi: 10.1007/s10911-010-9188-7. Epub 2010 Aug 24.

Immune cell location and function during post-natal mammary gland development

Johanna R Reed  1 , Kathryn L Schwertfeger
Affiliations
Review

Immune cell location and function during post-natal mammary gland development

Johanna R Reed et al. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2010 Sep.

Abstract

Post-natal mammary gland development requires complex interactions between the epithelial cells and various cell types within the stroma. Recent studies have illustrated the importance of immune cells and their mediators during the various stages of mammary gland development. However, the mechanisms by which these immune cells functionally contribute to mammary gland development are only beginning to be understood. This review provides an overview of the localization of immune cells within the mammary gland during the various stages of post-natal mammary gland development. Furthermore, recent studies are summarized that illustrate the mechanisms by which these cells are recruited to the mammary gland and their functional roles in mammary gland development.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Model of immune cell localization at the terminal end buds during post-natal mammary ductal morphogenesis
Immune cells including mast cells, eosinophils, and macrophages contribute to numerous effector functions during mammary ductal morphogenesis. Mast cells localize to the stromal regions surrounding proliferating terminal end buds (TEBs) (25). Next, macrophages are recruited to TEBs. After being recruited, macrophages migrate and localize to the neck of TEBs in response to CSF-1. Finally, eosinophils are recruited to the head of TEBs in response to expression of epithelial cell-secreted eotaxin (24). At the head of TEBs, eosinophils secrete the chemokine C10 which acts to recruit additional macrophages (36).
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