Although the presence of mammary stem cells (MaSC) was suggested over 50 years ago, it is only now that we are truly beginning to understand their role, the signaling pathways responsible for their regulation, and their involvement in diseases such as cancer. The mammary gland itself is a highly complex and dynamic organ that undergoes changes throughout one's lifetime, which is why the regulation of mammary stem cell differentiation and characteristics remains quite unclear. Studies indicate the presence of cells within the mammary gland that are likely multipotent and have self-renewal abilities. The restoration and differentiation of MaSCs are tightly regulated by various factors, including signaling pathways and microenvironment. The ability of these cells to rapidly respond to changes in the physiological state of the mammary gland (such as lactation, involution) can be attributed to a strong connection with a specific microenvironment known as the stem cell niche. In the case of deregulation of signaling pathways, the formation of mammary cancer can occur, which is one of the leading causes of female mortality worldwide. However, the incidence of mammary cancer varies significantly among species. To date, scientists have discovered that animal models can aid in studying mammary gland development and various diseases.
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