Fig. 1. Obesity promotes cellular remodeling within the mammary gland.
With the onset of obesity, adipocytes enlarge, leading to tissue hypoxia, adipocyte death, and enhanced secretion of adipokines, including leptin. Macrophages are recruited into adipose tissue in obesity by CCL2 and dendritic cells and form crown-like structures around necrotic adipocytes. Tissue hypoxia and inflammatory cytokines increase angiogenesis. Myofibroblasts and adipose-derived stromal cells increase production and reorganization of collagen, leading to adipose tissue fibrosis