Figure 2
Stromal immunoreactivity of β 1 integrin and FN. Immunoreactivity of β1 integrin is depicted in A. i) Immunoreactivity of β1 integrin within the stroma surrounding normal breast (Normal), primary cancer (Primary) and LN metastasis tissues. ii – ix) Representative images demonstrating distribution of β1 integrin in the stroma and/or cells at the leading edges of Normal (ii and iii), ductal carcinoma in situ (iv and v), Primary (vi and vii) and LN metastasis (viii and ix) tissues. Immunoreactivity of FN is depicted in B. i) Immunoreactivity of FN within the stroma surrounding Normal, Primary and LN metastasis tissues. ii – v) Representative images demonstrating distribution of β1 integrin immunoreactivity in the stroma and/or cells at the leading edges of Primary (ii and iii) and LN metastasis (iv and v) tissues. Immunoreactivity was evaluated semiquantitatively using the Q score (intensity x percentage class, score: 0 – 18) method. Intensity of reactivity (score: 0 = negative; 1 = weak; 2 = moderate, and; 3 = strong). Percentage class (score: 1 = 0-4%; 2 = 5-19%; 3 = 20-39%; 4 = 40-59%; 5 = 60-79%; 6 = 80-100%). Data are displayed using the mean ± 2 standard error (SE). Asterisks (* and ***) indicate statistically significant differences at p < 0.05 and <0.001, respectively. The scale bar for Aii, Aiv, Avi, Aviii, Bii and Biv is 200 μm and for Aiii, Av, Avii, Aix, Biii and Bv is 30 μm.