What role do adipocytes play in breast cancer?
So-called Adipocytes (fat cells) that grow near breast cancer are able to transform into other types of cells, which in turn do the increase tumor growth. This finding could lead to completely new and effective options in the fight against breast cancer in the future.
In a new study involving experts from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) investigated the link between obesity and cancer at the mechanistic level, specifically between Adipocytes and breast cancer tumors. The results were published in the journal “Cell Reports“ published.
Obesity increases the risk of cancer
It has already been shown in the past that obesity a risk factor for the development of Krebs forms. Additionally is obesity with breast cancer also with one worse prognosis connected, reports the team.
The results of previous research have shown that fat cellswhich are in close contact with breast tumor cells, have an increased ability to break down lipidswhich provides tumor cells with the fuel they need, explains the author of the study Professor Dr. Philipp Scherer.
How do adipocytes affect breast cancer?
So far, however, it has remained unclear what role these fat cells play in the development of breast cancer, adds the doctor. To determine this role, the new research work Adipocytes in laboratory mice with a fluorescent color labeled, allowing the team to monitor these cells over the long term.
Fat cells transformed
The experts implanted breast tumors in the animals or genetically manipulated the breast cells of the mice in such a way that they turned into tumor cells. It could be observed that the nearby Fat cells shrank and took other formsthan was the case with natural fat cells.
The researchers then carried out genetic tests to determine which genes were active in these fat cells. These tests showed that the cells initially in a regressed to an earlier stage of development and then slowly developed genetic markers of other cell typesfor example of connective tissue cells, muscle cells and immune cells.
Altered fat cells promoted tumor growth
The team further found that the altered fat cells Promote growth of breast cancer tumors. This property depended massively on the ability of the fat cells to to supply tumor cells with energy.
In addition, the properties of the cell types that fat cells turn into after losing their lipids and fat cell identity also play an important role, the researchers explain. This is due to the fact that they are essential to a local fibrosis contribute that affects the breast tissue.
„We have identified new cell types in the mammary gland that are derived from adipocytes and provide fertile ground for breast cancer tumor invasion and growth“, sums up Professor Dr. Scherer in a press release.
Promotion of tumor growth could be stopped
Through a initiated by the professionals Improvement in lipid storage capacity of mature fat cells, they stopped turning into other cell types. This led to that Tumor growth no longer promoted became.
However, the exact mechanism by which fat cells transform into other cell types remains unclear. professor dr Scherer explains that probably a chemical signal from tumor cells responsible for this phenomenon.
The research group plans to identify exactly this signal in the future. In addition, other possibilities should be sought through which this signal manipulated can become, so that it would be possible that inhibit breast cancer growth. (as)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- Qingzhang Zhu, Yi Zhu, Chelsea Hepler, Qianbin Zhang, Jiyoung Park, et al.: Adipocyte mesenchymal transition contributes to mammary tumor progression; in: Cell Reports (veröffentlicht 13.09.2022), Cell Reports
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center: Shape-shifting fat cells fuel breast cancer growth (veröffentlicht 21.09.2022), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.