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The Role Of Tumor Stromal Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 (Ddr2) In Breast Cancer Metastasis., Samantha Van Hove Bayer

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Characteristics of breast tumor stroma, including altered collagen architecture and increased stiffness, are known to contribute to tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which these changes occur are not fully understood. To address this question, we used a mouse genetic model to delete Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 (DDR2) from mouse tumor stromal cells and interrogated breast cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to determine the molecular events downstream of DDR2 action that may lead to changes in the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). Our work revealed that the action of DDR2 in breast stromal cells is required for …