Quantitative assays for measuring cell adhesion and motility in biomaterials - Characterization of Biomaterials - page 78

Table 3.2 Characteristics of common cell motility assays

Class Assay category Confi guration/principle Metric Advantages Disadvantages

Collective
motility
of cell
populations

2D cell
population
migration

Dispersion from high
to low concentration

Leading edge or
total number of
migrating cells

+ Simplicity − Do not describe

+ Easily implemented individual cell

behavior
Dependent on −

geometry and initial
cell concentration
Combined migration −

and proliferation

Wound healing Recovery of cell

monolayer after
scratch wound

+ Easily − Cell injury releases

implemented factors

Wound −

reproducibility

Compartmentalization Release cells

from contact
inhibition by
removal of
barrier

+ Permits co-culture − Dependent on

+ Cells are not geometry and initial

cell concentration injured

Simplicity +

Microcarrier bead Cells migrate off

carriers onto
culture surface

+ Simplicity − Combined infl uence

of physical and
chemical factors

3D cell
population
migration

Dispersion from high to
low concentration

Leading edge or
total number of
migrating cells

+ Simplicity − Do not describe

+ 3D environment individual cell

behavior
Dependent on

more in vivo -like

−

geometry and initial
cell concentration

3D radial cell migration Migration from

cell carrier
imbedded in gel

+ Movement − Only horizontal

through ECM gel projections

considered
( Continued )