Studying Adipose Tissue in the Breast Tumor Microenvironment In Vitro: Progress and Opportunities
10.1007/s13770-020-00299-9
- Author:
David MERTZ
1
;
Jason SENTOSA
;
Gary LUKER
;
Shuichi TAKAYAMA
Author Information
1. Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 313 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Publication Type:R E V I E W A RT I C L E
- From:
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
2020;17(6):773-785
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:The breast cancer microenvironment contains a variety of stromal cells that are widely implicated in worse patient outcomes. While many in vitro models of the breast tumor microenvironment have been published, only a small fraction of these feature adipocytes. Adipocytes are a cell type increasingly recognized to have complex functions in breast cancer.
METHODS:In this review, we examine findings from recent examples of in vitro experiments modeling adipocytes within the local breast tumor microenvironment.
RESULTS:Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of adipocytes in the breast tumor microenvironment are covered in this review and both have uncovered interesting phenomena related to breast tumor progression.
CONCLUSION:Certain aspects of breast cancer and associated adipocyte biology: extracellular matrix effects, cell-cell contact, and physiological mass transport can only be examined with a three-dimensional culture platform. Opportunities remain for innovative improvements to be made to in vitro models that further increase what is known about adipocytes during breast cancer progression.
