Evaluation of Metaplastic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Extracellular Matrix Structure and Protein Composition.

ABSTRACT: Alterations in the tumor extracellular environment and matrix stiffness promote tumor progression. Furthermore, correlational studies have identified enrichment of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (glycoproteins, collagens) in breast tumors. Despite these findings, there has yet to be an interdisciplinary analysis of both ECM composition and structural architecture in rare breast tumors, such as metaplastic breast cancer. Here, we explored changes in ECM protein expression and architecture in a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) metaplastic tumor through SEM, proteomics, and RNA sequencing. SEM revealed that the tumor pore size was larger compared to the control adipose tissue. Oscillating rheometry demonstrated increased ECM stiffness in the tumor compared to the control adipose brea

SUBMITTER: Savoie JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12838215 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature