Model for cell migration and use thereof

A method of screening substances for the effect of such substances on cell migration, said method comprising:

• providing an in vitro model for cell migration, said in vitro model comprising:
• a first in vitro extracellular matrix having a cell added thereto, said first in vitro extracellular matrix simulating a first natural environment in which said cell naturally resides;
• and
• a second in vitro extracellular matrix in physical contact with said first in vitro extracellular matrix, said second in vitro extracellular matrix simulating a second natural environment into which said cell naturally migrates from said first natural environment, said first in vitro extracellular matrix being different from said second in vitro extracellular matrix,
• wherein said cell migrates from said first in vitro extracellular matrix to said second in vitro extracellular matrix;
• determining a rate of first migration of said cell from said first in vitro extracellular matrix into said second in vitro extracellular matrix;
• adding a substance to said in vitro model;
• and
• determining a rate of second migration of said cell from said first in vitro extracellular matrix into said second in vitro extracellular matrix after addition of said substance, wherein an increase in rate of first migration to rate of second migration indicates that the substance increases cell migration, and wherein a decrease in rate of first migration to rate of second migration indicates that the substance decreases cell migration.

A method of screening for substances that affect cell migration, said method comprising:

• providing a cell and a first and second in vitro extracellular matrix;
• determining that said cell can move on said first in vitro extracellular matrix and said second in vitro extracellular matrix;
• providing an in vitro model for cell migration, said in vitro model comprising:
• said first in vitro extracellular matrix having said cell added thereto, said first in vitro extracellular matrix simulating a first natural environment in which said cell naturally resides;
• and
• a second in vitro extracellular matrix in physical contact with said first in vitro extracellular matrix, said second in vitro extracellular matrix simulating a second natural environment into which said cell naturally migrates from said first natural environment, said first in vitro extracellular matrix being different from said second in vitro extracellular matrix,
• wherein said cell migrates from said first in vitro extracellular matrix to said second in vitro extracellar matrix;
• determining a rate of first migration of said cell from said first in vitro extracellular matrix into said second in vitro extracellular matrix;
• adding a substance to said in vitro model;
• and
• determining a rate of second migration of said cell from said first in vitro extracellular matrix into said second in vitro extracellular matrix after addition of said substance, wherein an increase in rate of first migration to rate of second migration indicates that the substance increases cell migration, and wherein a decrease in rate of first migration to rate of second migration indicates that the substance decreases cell migration.

A method of screening extracellular matrices for the effect of such extracellular matrices on cell migration, said method comprising:

• providing an in vitro model for cell migration, said in vitro model comprising:
• a first in vitro extracellular matrix having a cell added thereto, said first in vitro extracellular matrix simulating a first natural environment in which said cell naturally resides;
• and
• a second in vitro extracellular matrix in physical contact with said first in vitro extracellular matrix, said second in vitro extracellular matrix comprising a fibrin gel, said first in vitro extracellular matrix being different from said second in vitro extracellular matrix,
• wherein said cell migrates from said first in vitro extracellular matrix to said second in vitro extracellular matrix;
• determining a rate of first migration of said cell from said first in vitro extracellular matrix into said second in vitro extracellular matrix;
• substituting an artificial in vitro extracellular matrix for said second in vitro extracellular matrix in said in vitro model;
• and
• determining a rate of second migration of said cell from said first in vitro extracellular matrix into said artificial in vitro extracellular matrix, wherein an increase in rate of first migration to rate of second migration indicates that said artificial in vitro extracellular matrix increases cell migration, and wherein a decrease in rate of first migration to rate of second migration indicates that said artificial in vitro extracellular matrix decreases cell migration.