Metabolic Crosstalk in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Lung Metastasis: Differential Effects of Vitamin D and E in a Co-Culture System.

ABSTRACT: Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is more likely to metastasise to the lungs than other breast cancer (BrCa) types, yet the molecular interactions within the tumour microenvironment (TME) at secondary sites remain poorly understood. Methods: This pilot study aimed to explore the metabolic crosstalk between MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells and MRC-5 lung fibroblasts within a co-culture system to replicate the lung metastatic TME. Co-cultures were also treated with Vitamin D or Vitamin E to evaluate the effects of these nutraceuticals on the metabolic crosstalk between TNBC cells and fibroblasts. Results: Our findings demonstrate that co-culture induced the activation of fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), evidenced by increased α-SMA and FAP expre

SUBMITTER: Kanwal B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12838710 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature