A new 2D structure for chemotaxis measurement of adhesive cells

This paper presents a new 2D structure to measure a chemotactic migration of adhesive cells for analysis of cell kinetics. This structure was designed to overcome Boyden chamber's disadvantages and made real-time measurement possible in 2D. The 2D chip was made of PDMS and glass for transparency. To create more than 2% of concentration gradient for chemotaxis measurement, the PDMS chip has a gradually narrowing width towards the chemotactic material. The concentration gradient was checked by measuring fluorescent gradient of Cy3 tagged to EGF as a chemotactic material. More than 2% of concentration gradient was maintained for more than 24 hours, and which was confirmed by fluorescent microscope. HUVEC chemotaxis using VEGF as a chemoattractant was checked in the 2D chip. It was verified that HUVEC migrated towards attractant position and the migration direction and migration distance were almost in proportion to the concentration of VEGF. This chip will be applicable to all kinds of migration related researches including cancer metastasis.