Tracking Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Lungs Induced by Breast Cancer Metastasis. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Studies

This work focused on a detailed assessment of lung tissue affected by metastasis of breast cancer. We used large-area chemical scanning implemented in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging supported with classical histological and morphological characterization. For the first time, we differentiated and defined biochemical changes due to metastasis observed in the lung parenchyma, atelectasis, fibrous, and muscle cells, as well as bronchi ciliate cells, in a qualitative and semi-quantitative manner based on spectral features. The results suggested that systematic extracellular matrix remodeling with the progress of the metastasis process evoked a decrease in the fraction of the total protein in atelectasis, fibrous, and muscle cells, as well as an increase of fibrillar proteins in the parenchyma. We also detected alterations in the secondary conformations of proteins in parenchyma and atelectasis and changes in the level of hydroxyproline residues and carbohydrate moieties in the parenchyma. The results indicate the usability of FTIR spectroscopy as a tool for the detection of extracellular matrix remodeling, thereby enabling the prediction of pre-metastatic niche formation.

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Loss of TMEM126A promotes extracellular matrix remodeling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and breast cancer metastasis by regulating mitochondrial retrograde signaling

Cancer Letters ◽

10.1016/j.canlet.2018.10.018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 440-441 ◽

pp. 189-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

He-Fen Sun ◽

Xue-li Yang ◽

Yang Zhao ◽

Qi Tian ◽

Meng-Ting Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Extracellular Matrix ◽

Cancer Metastasis ◽

Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Breast Cancer Metastasis ◽

Retrograde Signaling ◽

Extracellular Matrix Remodeling ◽

Matrix Remodeling ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Mitochondrial Retrograde Signaling

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Fourier Transform Infrared Polarization Contrast Imaging Recognizes Proteins Degradation in Lungs upon Metastasis from Breast Cancer

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13020162 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 162

Author(s):

Karolina Chrabaszcz ◽

Katarzyna Kaminska ◽

Cai Li Song ◽

Junko Morikawa ◽

Monika Kujdowicz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Fourier Transform ◽

Cancer Metastasis ◽

Fourier Transform Infrared ◽

Lung Parenchyma ◽

Breast Cancer Metastasis ◽

Light Polarization ◽

Contrast Imaging ◽

Inflammatory Infiltration ◽

Advanced Phase

The current understanding of mechanisms underlying the formation of metastatic tumors has required multi-parametric methods. The tissue micro-environment in secondary organs is not easily evaluated due to complex interpretation with existing tools. Here, we demonstrate the detection of structural modifications in proteins using emerging Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) imaging combined with light polarization. We investigated lungs affected by breast cancer metastasis in the orthotopic murine model from the pre-metastatic phase, through early micro-metastasis, up to an advanced phase, in which solid tumors are developed in lung parenchyma. The two IR-light polarization techniques revealed, for the first time, the orientational ordering of proteins upon the progression of pulmonary metastasis of breast cancer. Their distribution was complemented by detailed histological examination. Polarized contrast imaging recognised tissue structures of lungs and showed deformations in protein scaffolds induced by inflammatory infiltration, fibrosis, and tumor growth. This effect was recognised by not only changes in absorbance of the spectral bands but also by the band shifts and the appearance of new signals. Therefore, we proposed this approach as a useful tool for evaluation of progressive and irreversible molecular changes that occur sequentially in the metastatic process.

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