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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
10:24
Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo
Published on: May 9, 2016
Collagen alpha1(XI) in normal and malignant breast tissue
Karen C Halsted1, Kara B Bowen, Laura Bond
1Department of Biology, Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID, USA.
Summary
Collagen alpha1(XI) is downregulated in the stroma of breast cancer tissue. This finding may help predict lymph node metastasis in women with breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Collagen XI expression in breast tissue is not well understood.
- Collagen XI plays a role in tissue structure and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate collagen XI expression in normal and malignant breast tissue.
- To correlate collagen XI expression with clinicopathological features of breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays from 72 breast carcinoma patients.
- Quantification of collagen alpha1(XI) staining intensity in epithelial cytoplasm, stroma, and vasculature.
- Comparison of staining with clinicopathological parameters.
Main Results:
- Decreased collagen alpha1(XI) staining in the stroma surrounding breast cancer compared to normal tissue.
- Reduced cytoplasmic collagen alpha1(XI) in metastasized tumors.
- Inverse correlation between cytoplasmic collagen XI and estrogen/progesterone receptor status.
- Inverse correlation between stromal collagen XI and tubule formation score.
Conclusions:
- Collagen alpha1(XI) is downregulated in the stroma of breast cancer.
- Collagen XI expression may serve as a predictive biomarker for lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.
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