Fig. 7.

Biophysical properties of TU-BcX-4IC tumors in serial transplantation. A Transmitted electron microscopy (TEM) images of decellularized, serially transplanted tumors were visualized to show the organization of collagen fibers. Representative images are shown at 10 × and 100 × magnification. B Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy images of serially transplanted TU-BcX-4IC tumors following tissue decellularization. Representative images shown at 5,000X (T1–T5) 10,000X (T0) and 25,000X (T0-T5) magnification. The insert of the TU-BcX-4IC T5 tumor reveals capabilities of the cryo-SEM technique to visualize matrix architecture on a nanometer scale. C Rheometry data comparing tumor stiffness of early passage (T1, T2) PDX tumors, and D comparing TNBC cell line-derived tumors (MDA-MB-231) to low (T1) and higher (T8) TU-BcX-4IC tumors. Storage modulus (Pa) and angular frequency (rad/s) are displayed. E Graph denoting relative storage modulus (a measure of tumor stiffness) across various serial passages and compared to MDA-MB-231 tumors