Quantifying Breast Cancer-Driven Fiber Alignment and Collagen Deposition in Primary Human Breast Tissue

• DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.618448
• Publication Date: 2021-03-15T05:36:52Z
• Authors: Rakesh Gurrala; C. Ethan Byrne; Loren M. Brown; Rafael Felix P. T...; Margarite D. Mato...; Jonathan J. Savoie; Bridgette M. Coll...; Matthew E. Burow; Elizabeth C. Martin; Frank H. Lau
• Keywords: Collagen fiber; Ex vivo

Solid tumor progression is significantly influenced by interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Specifically, cell-driven changes to ECM fiber alignment collagen deposition impact growth metastasis. Current methods of quantifying these processes are incomplete, require simple or artificial matrixes, rely on uncommon imaging techniques, preclude use biological technical replicates, destruction tissue, prone segmentation errors. We present a set methodological solutions shortcomings that were developed quantify in cultured, ex vivo human breast tissue under influence allow for study primary tumors. Herein, we describe method can analyze complex native from scanning electron micrographs does not replicates high-throughput mechanism content non-destructive. The accurately recapitulated observed visual inspection. Additionally, successfully identified increased tumors when compared lobular ductal cancer. successful quantification using encourages their future studies dysregulation solid