Pregnancy and stem cell behavior

The identification of cancer-initiating epithelial subtypes (i.e. cancer stem cells) is important for gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the process of neoplastic transformation and tumorigenesis. Since reproductive history has a major impact on breast tumorigenesis, it is reasonable to assume that pregnancy and lactation have enduring effects on the cancer susceptibility of multipotent progenitors. Using the Cre-lox technology as a tool to genetically label pregnancy-hormone-responsive cells, we identified a mammary epithelial subtype that is abundant in parous females. These pregnancy-induced mammary epithelial cells (PI-MECs) originate from differentiating cells during the first pregnancy and lactation cycle. They do not undergo apoptosis during postlactational remodeling, and they persist throughout the remainder of a female's life. In this review, we discuss the biological relevance of PI-MECs in multiparous females and their important stem cell-like features, such as self renewal, as well as their ability to produce progeny with diverse cellular fates. Using appropriate animal models, we further demonstrate that PI-MECs are cellular targets for pregnancy-enhanced mammary tumorigenesis.