Fig. 7
From: Mammary gland adipocytes in lactation cycle, obesity and breast cancer
Scheme of mammary gland adipocytes in obesity and breast cancer. Obesity induces mammary gland adipocytes hypertrophy, thus fatty acid release, inflammation, fibrosis and hypoxia, accompanied by a state of hyperleptinemia and hyperestrogenemia, all features representing risk factors for breast cancer development. Cancer Associated Adipocyte (CAA) undergo delipidation and dedifferentiation upon the crosstalk with breast cancer cells. CAA release inflammatory cytokines, proteases, adipokines, estrogens and metabolites (Met) able to promote epithelio-mesenchymal transition (EMT), proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells