Research data for article: Dedifferentiation and metabolic reprogramming of human adipocytes in the tumor niche triggered by colorectal cancer cells

This research aimed to  determine and characterize the phenotypic and metabolic alterations in human adipocytes provoked by colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. We used primary human adipocytes to achieve this goal as they better reflect the TME conditions and interactions than the cells used in the previous study. The fat cells were co-cultured with CRC cells to generate CAAs (cancer-associated adipocytes), and their functional and molecular differences were characterized and compared between control (naïve) adipocytes and those reprogrammed by cancer cells.Our results demonstrate that CRC cells promote the dedifferentiation of adipocytes into a more fibroblast-like phenotype, and this process resulted in the formation of cells with characteristics resembling those of CAAs. Furthermore, co-culture with cancer cells disrupted cytoskeletal homeostasis in adipocytes, which enhanced the formation of actin filaments and led to the development of a more complex vimentin network. This was accompanied by alterations in lipid droplet profiles and the levels of proteins involved in lipid storage and metabolism. Interestingly, CRC cells also modulated the metabolic activity of CAAs and affected their mitochondrial distribution and dynamics. In summary, the results underscore the substantial influence of CRC cells on adipocytes, which may have an essential role in their recruitment into the tumor niche and protumorigenic activity.Data submitted to the repository are initial, unprocessed experiment results. Individual folders (named after the type of research they concern) contain the output data for all technical repetitions of the experiments performed and a .docx file with a description of the samples and the research method used. Data concerning the Western blotting method are photos of membranes (tiff) with bands present on them corresponding to specific proteins. Data concerning the antibody array are photos of membranes  with dots present on them corresponding to specific proteins. Data obtained as a result of qPCR analysis are presented in the form of Excel files containing Ct (threshold cycle) values for selected genes expressed by cells at the mRNA level. Data concerning the ATP rate and Mito stress assays are Excel files with all measurements performed. Data concerning immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy analysis are photos of cells (tiff) and Excel files with quantitative data.