The role of adipocytes in neuroendocrine neoplasms: Molecular and metabolic adaptations

#4047

Introduction: It is recognized that the adipose tissue plays a major role in cancer. Recent evidence suggests the existence of altered metabolic pathways in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), influencing tumor development and evolution, and thereby clinical outcomes.

Aim(s): This study aims to understand and clarify the role of adipose tissue and adipocytes in NENs.

Materials and methods: Indirect 3D co-culturing of adipocytes and NEN cell lines (BON-1 and QGP-1) was set up using Transwell plates. Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to adipocytes was confirmed using confocal microscopy after Adipored staining and by RT-qPCR for the differentiation genes FASN, C-EBPⲁ, PPAR-ɣ and FABP4. At the end of the co-culture experiment we performed adipokines and metabolism assays on culturing media. Finally, we performed RNA-sequencing analysis of fresh tumor NEN samples compared to healthy counterparts.

Conference:

Presenting Author: Calabrese C

Authors: Calabrese C, Dellavalle S, Miserocchi G, Gabellone S, Spadazzi C,

Keywords: neuroendocrine neoplasm, adipocytes, metabolism, RNA-seq, 3D co-cultures,