Premalignant stromal cells from women with germline BRCA1 mutations exhibit increased expression of secreted factors regulating epithelial homeostasis in a paracrine fashion. These secreted factors, such as MMP3, promote premalignant epithelial changes including elevated proliferation and altered differentiation of a subpopulation of luminal progenitor cells.
- Kevin Nee
- Dennis Ma
- Kai Kessenbrock