The mammary gland is dynamically remodelled during its postnatal development and the reproductive cycles. This inherent plasticity has been suggested to increase the susceptibility of the organ to carcinogenesis. Morphological changes in the mammary epithelium involve cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration which, in turn, are affected by cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Integrin adhesion receptors function in the sensing of the biochemical composition, patterning and mechanical properties of the ECM surrounding the cells, and strongly influence cell fate. This review aims to summarize the existing literature on how different aspects of integrin-mediated adhesion and mechanosensing, including ECM composition; stiffness and topography; integrin expression patterns; focal adhesion assembly; dynamic regulation of the actin cytoskeleton; and nuclear mechanotransduction affect mammary gland development, function and homeostasis. As the mechanical properties of a complex tissue environment are challenging to replicate in vitro, emphasis has been placed on studies conducted in vivo or using organoid models. Outright, these studies indicate that mechanosensing also contributes to the regulation of mammary gland morphogenesis in multiple ways.

乳腺在其出生后发育和生殖周期期间动态重塑。这种固有的可塑性被认为会增加器官对致癌作用的敏感性。乳腺上皮的形态变化涉及细胞增殖、分化、凋亡和迁移，而这些又受细胞与细胞外基质 (ECM) 粘附的影响。整合素粘附受体在感知细胞周围 ECM 的生化成分、图案和机械特性方面发挥作用，并强烈影响细胞命运。本综述旨在总结有关整合素介导的粘附和机械传感的不同方面的现有文献，包括 ECM 组成；刚度和形貌；整合素表达模式；粘着斑组装；肌动蛋白细胞骨架的动态调节；和核机械转导影响乳腺发育、功能和体内平衡。由于复杂组织环境的机械特性难以复制在体外，重点放在体内或使用类器官模型进行的研究。直截了当，这些研究表明，机械传感也有助于以多种方式调节乳腺形态发生。