Role of Adipose Cells in Tumor Microenvironment - The Mechanobiology of Obesity and Related Diseases - page 267

Table 1 Adipose cell populations and their proposed roles in tumor microenvironment
Cell population

Function in WAT Tumor-promoting function References

Adipose stromal
cells (ASC)

Mixed population containing progenitors
of white and brown adipocytes. Some
ASC serve as mural cells

Contribute to the population of cancer-associated
fibroblasts; secrete ECM, survival, angiogenic
and immunomodulatory factors

[ 30 - 33 , 47 , 105 ]

Preadipocytes Mixed population with immunomodulatory

and angiogenic capacity containing
precursors of adipocytes

Secrete immunomodulatory and angiogenic ECM
and adipokines from WAT or within the tumor

[ 32 , 33 , 172 , 173 ]

White adipocytes Lipid storage and metabolism,

immunomodulation, endocrine function

Can serve as energy source; secrete ECM, growth/survival
factors and immune/angiogenic adipokines from WAT
or within the tumor

[ 29 , 133 , 134 , 174 ]

Pericytes Vascular integrity, reconstitution and maintenance Contribute to tumor vascularization, promote tumor

angiogenesis and vascular patency

[ 32 , 33 , 175 - 177 ]

Leukocytes (mostly
monocytes)

Infiltrating cells secreting growth factors,
cytokines, and chemokines

Contribute to tumor stroma; promote tumor growth,
angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis

[ 178 , 179 ]

Endothelial cells Cells of vascular lumen Contribute to tumor vasculature vascularization [ 32 , 180 , 181 ]