Anoikis (Anchorage-Dependent Cell Death) Assays allow you to quantify and monitor anoikis, i.e. apoptosis resulting from the loss of adhesion to the ECM, in cells using a precoated plate.
Cell adhesion is a complex mechanism involved in a variety of processes including cell migration & invasion, embryogenesis, wound healing and tissue remodeling.
The CytoSelect Cell Adhesion Assays developed by Cell Biolabs quantify cell adhesion using a microplate reader, no manual cell counting is necessary.
CytoSelect ECM Cell Adhesion Assays quantify the adhesion of cells to one of a variety of extracellular matrix proteins. Plates are precoated with a uniform substrate layer of a single ECM protein: Collagen I, Collagen IV, Fibrinogen, Fibronectin, or Laminin. Adherent cells are quantified using either colorimetric or fluorometric detection.
If you are studying more than one ECM protein, try the ECM Array. This kit includes a plate containing one row of each of the 5 substrates.
CytoSelect Endothelium & Epithelium Adhesion Assays measure the interactions of either leukocytes or tumor cells with vascular endothelium and epithelium, respectively. Quantitation is performed using a fluorescent plate reader.
Anoikis (Anchorage-Dependent Cell Death) Assays allow you to quantify and monitor anoikis, i.e. apoptosis resulting from the loss of adhesion to the ECM, in cells using a precoated plate.
Cell migration is a highly integrated, multi-step process that plays an important role in the progression of various diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis and arthritis. There are various types and definitions of cell migration which is reflected in the Cell Migration Assays offered.
Chemotaxis describes cell migration based on chemicals in a cell's surrounding environment. Cell chemotaxis can indicate migration either toward or away from a particular chemical signal.
Haptotaxis is defined as cell migration along a gradient of extracellular matrix-bound chemoattractants. In these assays the Boyden chamber insert is coated on the underside with Collagen I or Fibronectin protein.
Transmigration describes the migration of cells (usually leukocytes or tumor cells) through the vascular endothelium toward a chemoattractant.
Cell invasion is related to, and encompasses, cell migration, except that cells do more than migrate. Invasive cells move through the extracellular matrix into neighboring tissues in a process that involves ECM degradation and proteolysis.
The CytoSelect Cell Invasion Assays provided use a Boyden Chamber in which the top side of the 8 µm-pore membrane is coated with one of 2 gel layers: Basement Membrane, a protein matrix isolated from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor cells or collagen I.
The VitroGel Cell Invasion Assay Kits are based on a ground-breaking xeno-free, bio-functional hydrogel that closely mimics the physiological extracellular matrix coupled with premium quality VitroPrime Cell Culture Inserts allowing more accurate and consistent invasion and migration studies than animal-based ECM.
Traditionally scratch assays have been used to study cell migration, cell proliferation and wound healing. However, these assays lack a consistently defined wound gap and can result in high inter-sample variation. Our Gap Closure Assays provide a simple, convenient format to monitor cell migration with precision and accuracy. Each of these assays provides a consistently defined area across which migratory cells can move. Migration can be monitored in real time by microscopy.
Wound healing is comprised of three processes: epithelialization, connective tissue deposition, and contraction. The contraction process is believed to be mediated by specialized fibroblasts called myofibroblasts. Three-dimensional collagen gels have been widely used to study fibroblast contraction, integrin signaling, cell apoptosis and cytoskeleton reorganization, which is may be more biologically relevant than studies using two-dimensional adhesions.
With the Cell Contraction Assays offered, you can study the ability of fibroblasts to reorganize and contract collagen matrices in vitro.
The ability to co-culture multiple cell types has enabled novel ways to study cancer, developmental biology, and tissue engineering. Three-dimensional co-culture of endothelial and smooth muscle cells have enabled the structure of a blood vessel to be mimicked. Co-culture experiments of carcinoma and intratumoral stromal cells have played an important role in understanding breast cancer initiation, promotion, and progression. Additionally, feeder cells are commonly co-cultured with stem cells to
maintain pluripotency.
The CytoSelect 24-Well Cell Co-Culture System provides a unique platform to monitor direct contact between two cell types in a single well.