Abstract

In tumor microenvironment, ordinary adipocytes may be recruited and differentiated into Cancer Associated Adipocytes (CAAs). CAAs have unique characteristics, such as their over expression of collagen VI and secretion of various factors. This results in the functional and structural changes to both cancer and lipid cells which promote cancer progression. Although a considerable amount of insight has been gained into the mechanisms through which CAAs differentiate and promote cancer growth, only little is known about the actual mechanisms involved in the release and transfer of lipid molecules from CAAS to the cancer microenvironment. The goal of this project is to provide an experimental verification of the molecular and cellular interactions that lead to the release of lipid molecules from and recruitment of CAAs to TNBC cells using Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) Microscopy to improve on our current understanding of the reliance of cancer tumors on CAAs for growth and survival.