Defining Breast Epithelial Cell Types in the Single-Cell Era

Authors

• G Kenneth Gray
• Eric G Carlson
• Tatyana Lev
• Bailey Marshall
• Austin D Reed
• Alex P Sánchez-Covarrubias
• Alecia-Jane Twigger
• Aleix Puig-Barbe
• Aatish Thennavan
• Ayodele Omotoso
• Lyndsay M Murrow
• Deeptiman Chatterjee
• Siyuan He
• Sara Pensa
• Brian Aevermann
• Norbert K Tavares
• Natalie Chen
• Jason A Hilton
• Kerrigan Blake
• Yunlong Liu
• Kiet Phong
• Zev J Gartner
• Devon A Lawson
• Alexander Swarbrick
• Camila O Dos Santos
• Sophia H L George
• Joan S Brugge
• Mark A LaBarge
• Harikrishna Nakshatri
• Nicholas Navin
• Kai Kessenbrock
• Walid T Khaled

Language

English

Publication Date

9-8-2025

Journal

Developmental Cell

DOI

10.1016/j.devcel.2025.06.032

PMID

40925326

PMCID

PMC12425455

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

9-8-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Single-cell studies on breast tissue have contributed to a change in our understanding of breast epithelial diversity that has, in turn, precipitated a lack of consensus on breast cell types. The confusion surrounding this issue highlights a possible challenge for advancing breast atlas efforts. In this perspective, we present our consensus on the identities, properties, and naming conventions for breast epithelial cell types and propose goals for future atlas endeavors. Our proposals and their underlying thought processes aim to catalyze the adoption of a shared model for this tissue and to serve as guidance for other investigators facing similar challenges.

Keywords

Humans, Epithelial Cells, Single-Cell Analysis, Female, Breast, Mammary Glands, Human

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Gray, G Kenneth; Carlson, Eric G; Lev, Tatyana; et al., "Defining Breast Epithelial Cell Types in the Single-Cell Era" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 6856.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthgsbs_docs/6856