Research activities

My research focuses on studying the interactions between mammary epithelial cells (immune-competent barrier cells) and their microenvironment in the context of obesity. Obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions and is one of the most significant diseases of this century, is now recognized as a risk factor for several types of cancer, including breast cancer in postmenopausal women. My research therefore aims to identify the role of the adipose microenvironment in the development of breast cancer through the creation of innovative culture models (2D and 3D). Additionally, we are actively working on the discovery of new plant-based bioactive compounds that could influence these interactions.

Characterization of the dialogue between immunocompetent cells and their microenvironment in the context of obesity

Understanding the dialogue between mammary epithelial cells and adipose cells, along with their secreted products, is crucial today, especially in the context of obesity. Our research aims to characterize this dialogue through the development of various models (monolayer cultures, co-cultures, and three-dimensional cultures) using human epithelial cell lines and mature adipocytes extracted from women of normal weight or with obesity. This approach allows us to evaluate proliferative activity and the mechanisms involved.

Search for immunomodulatory bioactives of interest and determination of their biological effects

The biodiversity of the natural environment offers vast opportunities for the study of new therapeutically valuable molecules. Indeed, anti-proliferative properties are often reported for certain essential oils or plant extracts. Within this framework, we seek to identify new plant-extracted molecules and evaluate their biological activities (anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory).

Most notable publications

• Aoun J, de Olivera H, Fennel S, Diab-Assaf M, Caldefie-Chézet F, Delort L. 3D bioprinting for reproducing the tumor microenvironment in cancer research model. Curr res Biotech 2026.
• Chervet A, Nehme R, Defois-Fraysse C, Decombat C, Blavignac C, Auxenfans C, Evrard B, Michel S, Filaire E, Berthon JY, Dreux-Zigha A, Delort L*, Caldefie-Chezet F*. Development and characterization of a chicory extract fermented by Akkermansia muciniphila: An in vitro study on its potential to modulate obesity-related inflammation. Curr. Res. Food Sci. 2025 Jan 10; 100974. *Equal contribution. 
• Nehme R, Chervet A, Decombat C, Habanjar O, Longechamp L, Rousset A, Chalard P, Gainche M, Senejoux F, Fraisse D, Filaire E, Berthon JY, Diab-Assaf M, Delort L*, Caldefie-Chezet F*. Selected plant extracts regulating the inflammatory immune response and oxidative stress: focus on Quercus robur. Nutrients. 2025, 15, 1751. *Equal contribution 
• Habanjar O, Nehme R, Goncalves-Mendes N, Cueff G, Blavignac C, Aoun J, Decombat C, Auxenfans C, Diab-Assaf M, Caldefie-Chezet F, Delort L. The obese inflammatory microenvironment may promote breast DCIS progression. Front Immunol. 2024 Jul 12;15:1384354. 
• Habanjar O, Maurin AC, Vituret C, Vachias C, Longechamp L, Garnier C, Decombat C, Bourgne C, Diab-Assaf M, Caldefie-Chezet F, Delort L. A bicellular fluorescent ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)-like tumoroid to study the progression of carcinoma: practical approaches and optimization. Biomaterials Science, 2023. 
• Delort L, Cholet J, Decombat C, Vermerie M, Dumontet C, Castelli F, Fenaille F, Auxenfans C, Rossary A, Caldefie-Chezet F. The adipose microenvironment dysregulates the mammary myoepithelial cells and could participate to the progression of breast cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021,8:571948. 

Other links

https://cv.hal.science/laetitia-delort
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laetitia-delort-441566b