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Fig. 2 | Cancer Communications

Fig. 2

From: Role of (myo)fibroblasts in the development of vascular and connective tissue structure of the C38 colorectal cancer in mice

Fig. 2

The process of vessel incorporation. A Frozen section of a subcutaneous C38 tumor stained for laminin (red), CD31 (green) and SMA (blue). The tumor tissue (T) appears black and is surrounded by laminin (red) deposited by the tumor cells. A large vessel (arrow) is being incorporated together with SMA-positive cells (blue) in an invagination. The outer part of the invagination, in contrast to the inner part, is delineated by a thinner and more fragmented basement membrane (arrowheads). B, C Semi-thin sections of C38 tumors growing in the subcutaneous tissue (B) and in the cecal wall (C). Blood vessels (arrows) and the surrounding connective tissue with cellular elements (arrowheads) are being incorporated by the tumor. D Semi-thin section of a C38 brain metastasis. A vessel (asterisk) is partially engulfed by the tumor mass (arrowheads). During this process, the brain parenchyma (located in the lower part of the picture) is excluded from the tumor (located in the upper part of the picture). The tumor cells are in close vicinity to the wall of the fully incorporated vessel (arrow). E An electron micrograph of a partially incorporated brain capillary at the surface of the tumor (T). A tumor cell (T1) is in touch with the basement membrane (BM) of the capillary. Collagen fibers cannot be observed between the tumor cell (T1) and the capillary basement membrane. EC endothelial cell, P pericyte

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