Adipocyte Differentiation: Relationship to Breast Cancer
Abstract
Our results generated during this report period supported the central hypothesis in this grant application. In summary, we have a two-hit hypothesis. First, malignant epithelial cells block the differentiation of surrounding adipose fibroblasts through cytokines. Then, epithelial factors induce aromatase expression in these undifferentiated fibroblasts via switching aromatase gene promoter use from the physiologically used promoter 1.4 to aberrantly activated promoter II. During this grant period, we demonstrated that the transcription factor C/EBPbeta mediates this malignant epithelial cell effect on adipose fibroblasts. The end result is aromatase overexpression and increased local formation of estrogen in breast cancer. In future, we seek to isolate these malignant epithelial cell-derived factors and associated signaling pathways in adipose fibroblasts. We also will determine whether estrogen regulates the formation of antiadipogenic cytokines IL-11 and TNFalpha in malignant epithelial cells.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA391324
Entities
People
- Serdar E. Bulun
Organizations
- University of Illinois at Chicago