Beginning of the End: Death Signaling in Early Involution

Mammary gland involution occurs in two distinct phases: an early, reversible phase, involving extensive apoptosis of the secretory alveolar epithelium without major changes in gland architecture, and a later, irreversible phase, involving remodelling of the gland to its pre-pregnancy state. Multiple signalling pathways are known to be important during early involution, however the precise triggers remain elusive. This review summarizes the roles of a number of key pathways (NF-κB, PI(3)K, Stat3, and TGFβ) in the first phase of involution.