Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Mammosphere Formation Assay from Human Breast Cancer Tissues and Cell Lines
Published on: March 22, 2015
Mammary stem cells and mammopoiesis
Jane E Visvader1, Geoffrey J Lindeman
1The Victorian Breast Cancer Research Consortium Laboratory, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia. visvader@wehi.edu.au
Abstract:
The isolation and characterization of mammary stem cells is fundamental to understanding mammary gland development and tissue homeostasis as well as breast oncogenesis. Recent studies have led to the prospective isolation of pluripotential stem cells from the mouse mammary gland through the identification of specific cell-surface markers and transplantation of cells into the mammary stromal microenvironment. A single cell was sufficient to reconstitute a fully developed mammary gland in vivo, indicating that combinatorial activity between independent stem cells is not essential to generate an outgrowth. Here we review the characteristics of mouse mammary stem cells, their estrogen receptor status, and the potential cellular hierarchy that exists within the mammary gland.
Related Concept Videos
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Stem Cell Niche
The Mammary Glands
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Source And Potency Of Stem Cells

