A Study of Mature Adipocyte Transformation in Breast Cancer Microenvironment

Abstract

Mature adipocytes are suggested to promote breast cancer progression in the cancer microenvironment. However, the contribution of mature adipocytes to breast cancer development is unclear. In the present study, we transplanted breast cancer cells into the mammary fat pad of the mature adipocyte-lineage tracing mice. Histological evaluation revealed that “Adipocyte-derived fibroblast-like cells (AFC)” appeared in the tumors. Some AFC were positive for pericyte markers or pro-adipogenic fibroblasts (PAF) markers. These results indicate that mature adipocytes can be transformed into pericytes and PAF in breast cancer microenvironment.