3D Printed Multiplexed Competitive Migration Assays with Spatially Programmable Release Sources

Here, a 3D printed multiplexed competitive migration assay is reported for characterizing a chemotactic response in the presence of multiple spatially distributed chemoattractants. The utility of the assay is demonstrated by examining the chemotactic response of human glioblastoma cells to spatially opposing chemotactic gradients of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and bradykinin (BK). Competitive migration assays involving spatially opposing gradients of EGF and BK that are optimized in the absence of the second chemoattractant show that 46% more glioblastoma cells migrate toward EGF sources. The migration velocities of human glioblastoma cells toward EGF and BK sources are reduced by 7.6 ± 2.2% and 11.6 ± 6.3% relative to those found in the absence of the spatially opposing chemoattractant. This work provides new insight to the chemotactic response associated with glioblastoma-vasculature interactions and a versatile, user-friendly platform for characterizing the chemotactic response of cells in the presence of multiple spatially distributed chemoattractants.