Cell migration asssay using multiple laminar flows in microchannel

Cell migration is a cellular process that plays a critical role in health and disease, including embryogenesis, wound healing, immune response, and tissue development. In order to overcome some shortcomings derived from traditional physical scrape-based cell migration assay, multiple laminar flows have been used to partially treat a confluent cell sheet formed in microchannels, which can simply pattern physiological wound edge. NIH-3T3 cell (mouse fibroblast) migration in the presence of chemoattractant or inhibitor, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), cytochalasin D (CD), or phalloidin, was investigated in the miniaturized platform. It was also observed that the growth factor (EGF) has a stimulative effect on cell spreading and migrating toward the denuded area. In striking contrast, CD and phalloidin almost inhibited cell migration, and some cells were even detached and removed from microchannels. Our findings demonstrated that laminar flows in precisely-fabricated microfluidic devices could effectively pattern a wound edge, which enables accurate and reliable cellular assay.