Gene expression profile of the mammary stroma in Rarb -/- mice compared to their wild type littermates

Inactivation of RAR-b, which has been reported as a tumor suppressing gene by numerous studies, results in protective effect against the tumorigenesis induced by activated ErbB2. Moreover, tissue recombination indicates that the RAR-b deficient-microenvironment, rather than the RAR-b status of mammary epithelial cells, plays a key-determining role in the initiation and progression of the mammary carcinoma. Ablation of RAR-b extensively modulates the remodeling of stroma during tumor progression through suppressing the activation and transdifferetiation of myofibroblasts.

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