Abstract
A fundamental hallmark of cancer is progression to metastasis and the growth of breast cancer metastases in lung, bone, liver and/or brain causes fatal complications. Unfortunately, the cellular and biochemical mechanisms of the metastatic process remain ill-defined. Recent application of intravital multiphoton microscopy (MP-IVM) to image fluorescently labeled cells in mouse models of cancer has allowed dynamic observation of this multi-step process at the cellular and subcellular levels. In this article, we discuss the use of MP-IVM in studies of breast cancer metastasis, as well as surgical techniques for exposing tumors prior to imaging. We also describe a versatile multiphoton microscope for imaging tumor-stroma interactions.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bone Marrow Neoplasms / pathology
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Bone Marrow Neoplasms / secondary
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Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
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Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Female
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Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism*
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Immunocompromised Host
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Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology*
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Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
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Mammary Glands, Animal / pathology*
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Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / instrumentation
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Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
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Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
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Neoplasm Transplantation / pathology
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Stromal Cells / metabolism
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Stromal Cells / pathology
Substances
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Neoplasm Proteins
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enhanced green fluorescent protein
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Green Fluorescent Proteins