Issue 8, 2007

Multi-step microfluidic device for studying cancer metastasis

Abstract

This paper describes a multi-step microfluidic device for studying the deformation and extravasation of primary tumor cells. Prior to extravasation, primary tumor cells undergo sequential steps of deformation through the capillaries, before adhering and transmigrating through the endothelial lining and basement membrane. To study this cascade of events, we fabricated a multi-step microfluidic device whose microgaps were coated with Matrigel to mimic the basement membrane. The microchannel was lined with human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) to replicate the endothelial lining. Analysis of deformation, biological and migratory capabilities of various tumor cell lines viz. HepG2, HeLa, and MDA-MB 435S were quantified using the fabricated device. After deformation, the cells' viabilities were significantly reduced and their doubling times were simultaneously increased, indicating changes in their biological capability. However, cell deformation did not significantly reduce their cell motility. Cell motility was co-assessed using the cell's migration rate and the overall population's percentage migration under various conditions (no barrier, Matrigel and Matrigel–HMEC). The device was also used to quantify the effects of Matrigel and the endothelial lining on cell migration. Our results suggest that both played an independent role in inhibiting cell extravasation, with the Matrigel significantly slowing down cell movement and the endothelial lining reducing the total number of transmigrated cells.

Graphical abstract: Multi-step microfluidic device for studying cancer metastasis

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 Jan 2007
Accepted
16 May 2007
First published
13 Jun 2007

Lab Chip, 2007,7, 1041-1047

Multi-step microfluidic device for studying cancer metastasis

K. C. Chaw, M. Manimaran, E. H. Tay and S. Swaminathan, Lab Chip, 2007, 7, 1041 DOI: 10.1039/B707399M

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