New study from the Kreeger Lab links growth factor-induced tumor cell proliferation to increasing collagen I density

July 2020 –  In HGSOC patient samples, it was determined that TGFβ1 present in ascites fluid activates omental fibroblasts to deposit collagen I. Using analyses of HGSOC patient samples, an in vitro model of the metastatic ovarian cancer microenvironment with pathologically relevant collagen I densities was designed. Using this model, it was found that HB-EGF-induced proliferation was enhanced on gels with increased collagen I concentration. These findings support a dynamic interaction between TGFβ1, HB-EGF, and collagen I in regulating tumor cell proliferation.

These findings, published in Tissue Engineering Part A, can be found here.