Tumor-Associated Collagen Signatures (TACS) have been identified that manifest in specific ways during breast tumor
progression and that correspond to patient outcome. There are also compelling metabolic changes associated with
carcinoma invasion and progression. We have characterized the difference in the autofluorescent properties of metabolic
co-factors, NADH and FAD, between normal and carcinoma breast cell lines. Also, we have shown in vitro that
increased collagen density alters metabolic genes which are associated with glycolysis and leads to a more invasive
phenotype. Establishing the relationship between collagen density, cellular metabolism, and metastasis in
physiologically relevant cancer models is crucial for developing cancer therapies. To study cellular metabolism with
respect to collagen density in vivo, we use multiphoton fluorescence excitation microscopy (MPM) in conjunction with a
rodent mammary imaging window implanted in defined mouse cancer models. These models are ideal for the study of
collagen changes in vivo, allowing determination of corresponding metabolic changes in breast cancer invasion and
progression. To measure cellular metabolism, we collect fluorescence lifetime (FLIM) signatures of NADH and FAD,
which are known to change based on the microenvironment of the cells. Additionally, MPM systems are capable of
collecting second harmonic generation (SHG) signals which are a nonlinear optical property of collagen. Therefore,
MPM, SHG, and FLIM are powerful tools with great potential for characterizing key features of breast carcinoma in
vivo. Below we present the current efforts of our collaborative group to develop intravital approaches based on these
imaging techniques to look at defined mouse mammary models.
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