Macrophages, Estrogen and the Microenvironment in Breast Cancer

摘要

Experimental evidence suggests interaction between the endocrine and immune systems. Functional interactions are likely since immune cells produce hormones and neuropeptides, and endocrine glands can produce a variety of cytokines. In spite of this, the monocytes/macrophages that are normally present in reproductive organs, including the breast; have mainly been studied from an immunological point of view. We propose to expand this horizon with the novel hypothesis that differentiated local macrophages in breast tissue constitute an in situ source of estrogen acting in an autocrine or paracrine manner to regulate breast cell division and differentiation. The scope of this study is to evaluate immune and non-immune regulatory mechanism on breast cancer cells. Experimental evidence suggests interaction between the endocrine and immune systems. Functional interactions are likely since immune cells produce hormones and neuropeptides, and endocrine glands can produce a variety of cytokines. In spite of this, the monocytes/macrophages that are normally present in reproductive organs, including the breast; have mainly been studied from an immunological point of view. We propose to expand this horizon with the novel hypothesis that differentiated local macrophages in breast tissue constitute an in situ source of estrogen acting in an autocrine or paracrine manner to regulate breast cell division and differentiation. The scope of this study is to evaluate immune and non-immune regulatory mechanism on breast cancer cells.