Tilbury Laboratory Research Accepted to Scientific Reports

New research from the Tilbury Laboratory investigating collagen remodeling in metastatic breast cancer has been accepted for publication in Scientific Reports, highlighting the continued impact of COBRE-supported research at the University of Maine.

The study, “Targeting the D93 cryptic collagen epitope alters integrin α2β1-dependent cellular migration and collagen remodeling in metastatic breast cancer,” examines how changes in the tumor-associated extracellular matrix (ECM) may influence cancer progression and metastasis.

Using 3D human metastatic breast cancer spheroid models embedded in collagen type I hydrogels, the research team investigated the therapeutic potential of targeting the D93 cryptic collagen epitope with a monoclonal antibody. The study found that treatment with mAb D93 reduced cellular migration into collagen hydrogels and altered collagen architecture at both the fiber and fibril levels.

Two-photon microscopy further revealed that breast cancer cells drive exposure of D93 sites while remodeling collagen structure within the extracellular matrix. Together, the findings suggest that targeting the D93 cryptic collagen epitope may help inhibit integrin α2β1-dependent metastatic migration in breast cancer.

The project was supported through a COBRE pilot project and represents another important milestone for the Tilbury Laboratory’s work in cancer imaging and extracellular matrix research.