Thursday, 30 April 2020 23:19

Immune cells discovered in the mammary gland Featured

Australian breast cancer researchers have discovered a new type of immune cells in the human breast gland, called ductus macrophages. These cells could play an important role in the fight against breast cancer.

Scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research in Melbourne have used modern high-resolution 3D imaging techniques to discover this tissue-derived immune cell type, which was located between two layers of the wall of the milk ducts.

Duktus macrophages have the task of keeping breast tissue healthy by phagocytizing dying milk-producing cells, which have to be removed after the milk production has ended.

To understand how these immune cells function in healthy development, could lead to important new insights for the treatment of breast cancer.

Sources:
https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/new-type-immune-cell-discovered-breast-ducts
https://www.labroots.com/trending/immunology/17500/immune-cell-discovered-mammary-ducts