Impact of Extracellular Matrix Protein Decorin on Diffusion MR in the 4T1 Breast Cancer Model

Motivation: Decorin (DCN), so called because it decorates collagen fibers, is essential for the mechanical integrity of tissues. It acts as a guardian of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by sequestering cytokines. Goal(s): Our purpose here was to determine the effects of DCN on water diffusion and the expression of immune checkpoints. Approach: DTI with MRI in decorin Results: . We found, with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), that DCN overexpression in tumors altered water diffusion metrics suggesting that increased DCN altered water movement through the ECM that could potentially alter cytokine movement through the ECM. Impact: Cancer diagnosis