Involvement of microRNAs in breast cancer

MicroRNAs regulate numerous aspects of normal and pathologic cellular processes, including cancer. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous form of cancer that is derived from mammary epithelial cells. This review discusses the involvement of microRNAs in the regulation of normal mammary epithelial stem cells, their differentiation into basal and luminal phenotypes, and their control of breast cancer stem cells, also referred to as tumor-initiating cells. In the second section, we summarize the findings of differential microRNA expression in normal versus breast tumor tissue and among the various subtypes of breast cancer (primarily luminal, basal-like, and HER2). In the third and fourth sections of the review, specific mRNA targets of microRNAs in breast cancer are discussed, including those encoding the estrogen receptor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor, as well as survival, tumor suppressor, and cell-cycle-related proteins. Finally, the involvement of microRNAs in the promotion and suppression of breast cancer metastasis is reviewed. The studies presented herein provide a rationale for the design of therapeutic agents that target specific microRNAs in the treatment of breast cancer. Hopefully, this review will provide an impetus for more studies on the role of microRNAs in the regulation of normal mammary gland development and function.