Real-Time and Non-invasive Measurement of 3D Cancer Cell Invasion Process under IL-6 Cytokine Stimulation

Cancer cells possess a broad spectrum of invasion mechanisms. Quantitative analysis of cancer cell invasion process under tested condition is important to precisely study the cellular invasion capability. In this study, a microfluidic device was developed and electrodes were embedded in the microchannel for the impedimetric measurement of cell invasion. Cancer cells were stimulated by interleukin-6 cytokine and invaded along the hydrogel-filled microchannel. The three-dimensional (3D) cell invasion process was monitored by measuring the impedance across the electrodes. The cell invasion speed could be calculated based on the cell invasion distance divided by time. Thus, 3D cell invasion process was demonstrated to be quantitatively monitored in real-time and non-invasive manner. The current development provides a promising and quantitative tool for cell invasion assay.