Cell migration and invasion play a vital role in various physiological and pathological processes like wound healing, inflammation, angiogenesis and metastasis. During cancer metastasis, cancer cells migrate from the primary tumor site and invade surrounding tissues and blood vessels to reach distant organs and form secondary tumors. To understand and inhibit the metastatic behavior of cancer cells, it is important to study their migration and invasion abilities in vitro.
Types Of Cell Migration And Cell Invasion Assay
There are various assay techniques available to study Cell Migration And Cell Invasion Assay and invasion characteristics under controlled experimental conditions. Some commonly used assays are:
Wound Healing Assay
In a wound healing assay, a artificial "wound" is created by scraping cells away from a monolayer culture using a pipette tip or similar instrument. Microscopic images are taken at regular intervals to measure the migration of cells from the borders of the wound into the cleared area. This assay is used to compare the migratory properties of different cell lines or to assess the effect of drugs on cell migration.
Transwell Insert Migration Assay
The transwell insert migration assay uses inserts with microporous membranes placed inside wells. Cells are seeded on top of the membrane while a chemoattractant is placed in the lower chamber. Migratory cells pass through the pores of the membrane towards the chemoattractant over a period of time. Cells that have migrated to the lower side of membrane are fixed, stained and counted under a microscope.
Spheroid Invasion Assay
In this 3D assay, multicellular tumor spheroids are embedded in a layer of extracellular matrix proteins like matrigel which mimic tissue environment. Invasion is determined by monitoring the migration of cells away from the spheroid boundary into the surrounding matrix over time. Results provide physiologically relevant information about factors regulating cell invasion.
Cell Invasion Chamber Assay
Similar to transwell migration assay, cell invasion chambers contain a thin layer of matrix proteins like matrigel coated on the microporous membrane. Cells are seeded on top of the matrix layer and chemoattractants are added below to induce invasion. Invasive cells migrate through the matrix and pores to reach lower side of membrane after a set time period.
Applications In Cancer Metastasis Research
Cell migration and invasion assays are extensively used in cancer metastasis research to:
Screen Novel Anti-Metastatic Drug Candidates
Compounds that can inhibit cell migration and invasion without affecting proliferation are promising anti-metastatic drug candidates. Assays help identify molecules that can block steps critical for metastasis.
Elucidate Molecular Mechanisms Of Invasion And Migration
Assays when coupled with gene overexpression/knockdown experiments or inhibitor treatments help uncover signaling pathways and molecules regulating cellular migratory and invasive behaviors.
Predict Metastatic Potential Of Tumor Cell Lines
By comparing invasive abilities of various cancer cell lines in assays, those with highest migration and invasion can be identified as most aggressive and metastatic.
Study Tumor Microenvironment Interactions
Assays are used to understand how extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors or co-cultured cell types like fibroblasts influence cancer cell invasion and migration.
Cell migration and invasion assays provide physiologically relevant and quantifiable data on cancer cell metastatic properties. However, 2D assays do not fully mimic complex 3D in vivo tumor microenvironment. Future assays incorporating tissue-engineered 3D tumor models, organotypic cultures and microfluidic devices promise more predictive preclinical platforms. With technological advancements, migration and invasion assays will continue contributing to design of novel anti-metastatic therapies in the coming years.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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