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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: Pharmacol Ther. 2016 Apr 8;163:94–108. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.03.013

Figure 4. Schematic representing the various spheroid-based invasion assays.

Figure 4

A. In modified-Boyden chamber based invasion assay, a thin layer of spheroid and matrix mixture is coated on the. Within 72 hours, cells begin to disseminate from the spheroid, proteolytically cleave through the matrix and migrate towards the bottom chamber through a matrix coated porous membrane located at the interface of upper and lower chambers. A layer of endothelial cells placed on top of the matrix coated porous membrane allow to determine the invasive potential of the cells through matrix and cellular barriers. B. The schematic represents a CIM plate, which has similar components as Boyden chamber. However, the detection system is different in xCelligence, where invasive potential of tumor cells is determined by measuring electrical impendence imposed by them. C. Spheroid is seeded on a layer of matrix, such as Matrigel, Methylcellulose, and Collagen type I, which is followed by a second layer of matrix. Cells from the embedded spheroid detach from the spheroid, radiating outward, which is measured in real time by Celigo Cytometer.