An Overview of Lipid Droplets in Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells

L. Tirinato; F. Pagliari; T. Limongi; M. Marini; A. Falqui; J. Seco; P. Candeloro; C. Liberale; E. Di Fabrizio

doi:10.1155/2017/1656053

Stem Cells International (Jan 2017)

An Overview of Lipid Droplets in Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells

L. Tirinato,
F. Pagliari,
T. Limongi,
M. Marini,
A. Falqui,
J. Seco,
P. Candeloro,
C. Liberale,
E. Di Fabrizio

Affiliations

L. Tirinato: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
F. Pagliari: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
T. Limongi: Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
M. Marini: Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
A. Falqui: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
J. Seco: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
P. Candeloro: BioNEM Lab, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
C. Liberale: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
E. Di Fabrizio: Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1656053
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 2017

Abstract

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For decades, lipid droplets have been considered as the main cellular organelles involved in the fat storage, because of their lipid composition. However, in recent years, some new and totally unexpected roles have been discovered for them: (i) they are active sites for synthesis and storage of inflammatory mediators, and (ii) they are key players in cancer cells and tissues, especially in cancer stem cells. In this review, we summarize the main concepts related to the lipid droplet structure and function and their involvement in inflammatory and cancer processes.

Published in Stem Cells International

ISSN: 1687-966X (Print); 1687-9678 (Online)
Publisher: Wiley
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine
Website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/4162

About the journal