Adipocyte–Breast Cancer Cell Co-Culture in Transwells

Experiments with cell co-culture systems facilitate investigation of the effects of one cell population on another, when the cells are grown in close proximity. Here we describe co-culture of Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipocyte cells with the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using the Corning® Transwell® 12-mm, 0.4-μm pore polyester membrane insert cell culture system. The SGBS adipocyte cell line, which was developed from cells taken from an infant with Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome is comparable, both functionally and biochemically, to primary preadipocytes. The MCF-7 breast cancer cell line is an ER+/PR+ and HER2− line used very commonly in studies of breast malignancy. Consisting of insert supports with a permeable membrane ‘floor,’ which sit suspended in wells, the Corning® Transwell® co-culture system allows communication between physically separate cells cultured on the membrane and in the well beneath. This co-culture procedure described here can be applied to analyze the effects of cancer cells on the process of adipogenesis and the changes in cancer cells due to adipocyte-secreted factors.