Multiplex Profiling of Cellular Invasion in 3D Cell Culture Models.

To-date, most invasion or migration assays use a modified Boyden
chamber-like design to assess migration as single-cell or scratch
assays on coated or uncoated planar plastic surfaces. Here, we
describe a 96-well microplate-based, high-content,
three-dimensional cell culture assay capable of assessing invasion
dynamics and molecular signatures thereof. On applying our invasion
assay, we were able to demonstrate significant effects on the
invasion capacity of fibroblast cell lines, as well as primary lung
fibroblasts. Administration of epidermal growth factor resulted in
a substantial increase of cellular invasion, thus making this
technique suitable for high-throughput pharmacological screening of
novel compounds regulating invasive and migratory pathways of
primary cells. Our assay also correlates cellular invasiveness to
molecular events. Thus, we argue of having developed a powerful and
versatile toolbox for an extensive profiling of invasive cells in a
96-well format. This will have a major impact on research in
disease areas like fibrosis, metastatic cancers, or chronic
inflammatory states.