Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Role of Adipose Cells in Tumor
Microenvironment
Tao Zhang and Mikhail G. Kolonin
Abstract As the obesity epidemic escalates, the resistance of adipose tissue to
dietary and pharmacological interventions remains a challenge. Adipose tissue
overgrowth and dysfunction is associated with the metabolic syndrome, many
cancers and certain non-malignant fibrotic conditions. The complexity of systemic
and local changes accompanying adipose tissue remodeling in disease has made it
difficult to identify the cellular and molecular culprits in this pathological link.
Nevertheless, recent efforts in clinical research and animal models have uncovered
the roles of individual adipose cell populations and molecules secreted by them in
obesity and the associated disorders. This chapter will address the role of adipose
stromal cells and adipocytes recruited by tumors in cancer progression. Specifi-
cally, it will introduce inflammatory factors and other adipokines as the key
players in adipose tissue and in tumor microenvironment. Discussion of adipose
cell roles in immunomodulation, vascularization, matrix remodeling and metab-
olism will be followed by prospects in identification of signaling responsible for
adipose cell trafficking and in ex vivo modeling of adipose tissue. Better under-
standing of adipose tissue mechanobiology in the context of disease will help
define adipose cells populations as potential therapy targets.
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