To the issue of the mechanism of cell migration

Abstract

The paper presents the experimental and theoretical aspects of studying the migration of cancer cells through narrow microchannels when interacting with a chemical substance — an attractant. Chemical agents were injected directly from the respective separate reservoir via hydrostatic head. The presence of migration channels of different sizes allowed us to analyze the migration abilities inherent in the cells. Experimental studies on the migration of cancer cell lines were carried out using a microfluidic binary migration cell. It consists of two chambers 50 μm deep, connected by a series of narrow microchannels 10 μm high. The chambers are connected to the tanks from which cancer cells and activating media come. The model features smooth transitions from all tanks to microchannels to prevent accumulation of microbubbles and cells, the presence of a restrictive barrier between a chemoattractant container and a nutrient medium to reduce the effect of capillary forces, sealing the supply channels and cells with cells using a glass plate glued on top. In a series of experiments, the ability of epithelial-like cells of the metastatic prostate cancer DU145 to migrate in the migration microfluidic system developed by us was revealed. The nature of migration depends on the width of the channel and the location of the cells at the time of adding the chemical agent. In wider channels, cells adhere more slowly and are able to perform rolling movements. In narrower channels, the cells are spread over the glass. The mathematical model of concentration-capillary movement, which is a system of equations of the dynamics of an incompressible viscous fluid, written separately for the cell contents and for its environment, is considered as the basis for a theoretical study of cell migration.