Poster #098, University of California, San Diego
Investigating the Role of Mature Adipocytes in Mammary Epithelial Cell Acinar Structure Organization
Mentors: Noémie Poliquin, B.S; Adam J Engler, PhD
The breast is composed primarily of adipose tissue, which contains ASCs (adipose stemcells), a type of multipotent stage stem cells that can differentiate into mature adipocytes. Previous research has often overlooked the role of adipocytes, merely categorizing them as fat storage. However, adipocytes also secrete paracrine signals that may affect nearby epithelial cells in the breast. This leads us to ask, do mature adipocytes affect mammary epithelial spheroid organization? To answer this, MCF10As were used, a mammary epithelial cell line that forms organoids in vitro, representative of breast ducts and lobules. MCF10As were seeded in Matrigel, which acts as a microenvironment for the epithelial cells to form 3D spheroids in vitro. ASCs were differentiated, directing them towards a mature adipocyte phenotype. On day 21 of ASC differentiation and day 12 of MCF10A spheroid formation, the cells were put in co-culture using printed ParaTalk chips, a lab-designed product that can hold two coverslips without a physical barrier, improving diffusion of paracrine signals between cell lines. After co-culture, the cells are fixed for immunostaining and z-stack images are taken on a confocal microscope to visualize the spheroids in 3D. Based on the images and analysis, there is a significant decrease in hollow lumens and significantly lower circularity in the MCF10A spheroids that are put in co-culture with the adipocytes, in comparison to the control. These findings suggest that adipocytes may play a role in dysregulating MCF10A spheroid organization, similar to what has been seen in cancer progression. This research could help pinpoint potential biomarkers of breast cancer pre-malignancy and lead to new preventative approaches.