University of Cambridge scientists found an unexpected link between a key part of the immune system and the cells that produce milk in the breast during lactation.
Cytokines, which have a central role in immune response, are used in the breast to promote the production of milk producing cells. When cells respond incorrectly to cytokine signalling, they can grow out of control and become cancerous.
The findings, reported July 5 in the journal Development give implications for understanding breast cancer cells.
According to Dr Walid Khaled from the University’s Department of Pathology, who conducted the research:
“This really was an unexpected discovery. Up until …read more