Fig. 1

Immunohistochemical examples of various biomarkers and scores. A shows Col1 in PTC with slight expression and intensity in the tumor stroma. Normal location. B shows Col1 in PTC with strong expression and intensity in the tumor stroma. Normal location. C shows Col4 in a lymph node with no expression in the metastatic tumorous tissue. Normal expression and location in the normal lymphatic tissue nearby. D shows Col4 in PTC with strong distribution and intensity in the basement membrane and tumor stroma. Abnormal expression and location of the collagen type IV fibers. E shows a-SMA in PTC with slight distribution and intensity. Normal location. F shows a-SMA in PTC with medium distribution and intensity. Abnormal location. G shows MMP-9 in PTC with slight distribution and intensity. Normal location. H shows MMP-9 in PTC with strong distribution and intensity. Abnormal location. Pictures were taken using the Panoramic P250 FIII slide scanner (3DHISTECH) and reproduced using CaseViewer (3DHISTECH) at a 50-μm scale