Fig. 3: Hypertrophic-like adipocyte spheroids have larger lipid droplets and exhibit metabolic dysregulation. | npj Breast Cancer

Fig. 3: Hypertrophic-like adipocyte spheroids have larger lipid droplets and exhibit metabolic dysregulation.

From: Development and characterisation of a novel 3D in vitro model of obesity-associated breast cancer as a tool for drug testing

Fig. 3

a Brightfield images of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) seeded in ultra-low attachment plates and differentiated over a period of 32 days. Representative phase contrast images of spheroids; 4x magnification, scale bar represents 200 µm. b The area of spheroids measured in ImageJ. Data represent the mean ± SEM of n = 6 spheroids. Statistical significance between groups was assessed using one-way ANOVA tests. c Confocal IF images of fixed MA (day 21) or HA (day 32) spheroids, co-stained with BODIPY and DAPI; 20x magnification, scale bar represents 50 µm. The graph shows the mean circumference of BODIPY-positive MA (black) and HA (grey) spheroids. Values were generated using ImageJ, average of n = 3 fields of view. d Relative mRNA expression of PPARG, FAPB4 and PLIN-1 in 3D culture of adipocytes compared to β-actin mRNA expression. e Relative mRNA expression of ADIPOQ and LEP in 3D culture of adipocytes compared to β-actin mRNA expression. f Amount of glycerol released after 3 h in the presence (induced) or absence (basal) of isoprenaline at the culture endpoint of MA and HA in 3D spheroid culture. All data reported as mean ± SEM across n = 3 independent experiments. ****P < 0.0001, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05, ns P > 0.05.

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