LEP and breast cancer: Increased CD36 expression increased the expression of the mesenchymal markers ZEB1, ZEB2 and FN1 and decreased expression of epithelial cell markers, CDH1, TJP3 and MUC1. These findings imply that in the adipocyte-rich microenvironment, increased CD36 expression enhances FFA uptake and paracrine signalling involving adipocytokines (IL-6, leptin and TGF-β) potentiates the emergence of EMT in breast cancer cells.