Imaging the metabolic reprograming of fatty acid synthesis pathway enables new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunity for breast cancer

BackgroundReprogrammed metabolic network is a key hallmark of cancer. Profiling cancer metabolic alterations with spatial signatures not only provides clues for understanding cancer biochemical heterogeneity, but also helps to decipher the possible roles of metabolic reprogramming in cancer development.MethodsMatrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) technique was used to characterize the expressions of fatty acids in breast cancer tissues. Specific immunofluorescence staining was further carried out to investigate the expressions of fatty acid synthesis-related enzymes.ResultsThe distributions of 23 fatty acids in breast cancer tissues have been mapped, and the levels of most fatty acids in cancer tissues are significantly higher than those in adjacent normal tissues. Two metabolic enzymes, fatty acid synthase (FASN) and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), which being involved in the de novo synthesis of fatty acid were found to be up-regulated in breast cancer. Targeting the up-regulation of FASN and ACC is an effective approach to limiting the growth, proliferation, and metastasis of breast cancer cells.ConclusionsThese spatially resolved findings enhance our understanding of cancer metabolic reprogramming and give an insight into the exploration of metabolic vulnerabilities for better cancer treatment.

Automated summary

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) was used to characterize the expressions of fatty acids in breast cancer tissues, revealing that most fatty acids are up-regulated compared to adjacent normal tissues. Up-regulation of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) was found in breast cancer, which can be targeted to limit cancer cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis.