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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Isolation of Myoepithelial Cells from Adult Murine Lacrimal and Submandibular Glands
Published on: June 11, 2019
Myoepithelial crowd control of cancer cells
Katharine Goodwin1, Celeste M Nelson2,3
1Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ.
Abstract:
Smooth muscle-like cells can actively remodel epithelia, a mechanism common across developing tissues. In this issue, new work from Sirka et al. (2018. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201802144) demonstrates a novel mechanism for tumor suppression by smooth muscle-like myoepithelial cells of the mammary gland.
Insights
Smooth muscle-like myoepithelial cells actively remodel mammary gland epithelia. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which these cells suppress mammary gland tumors.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Smooth muscle-like cells actively remodel epithelial tissues during development.
- Myoepithelial cells in the mammary gland are smooth muscle-like cells with poorly understood functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mammary gland myoepithelial cells in tissue remodeling.
- To identify novel mechanisms of tumor suppression involving myoepithelial cells.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized mouse models and advanced imaging techniques.
- Analysis of cell-cell interactions and tissue architecture was performed.
Main Results:
- Myoepithelial cells were shown to actively remodel the mammary gland epithelium.
- A novel mechanism of tumor suppression mediated by myoepithelial cells was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Mammary gland myoepithelial cells play a critical role in epithelial remodeling.
- These cells possess a previously unrecognized function in suppressing mammary tumors, offering potential therapeutic insights.
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