title: Measuring cell motility using quantum dot probes.
abstract: The ability of cancer cells to migrate and metastasize is known to be directly related to tumor cell motility. Therefore, assaying the level of tumor cell motility is an excellent indicator of metastatic potential. We have developed an efficient and sensitive two-dimensional cell motility assay to image the phagokinetic uptake of colloidal CdSe/ZnS semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots [QDs]). As cells move across a thin, homogeneous layer of QDs, they engulf and uptake the nanocrystals and leave behind a fluorescent-free trail. By measuring the ratio of trail area to cell area we have discovered that it is possible to distinguish between noninvasive and invasive cancer cells lines. This technique has, therefore, the potential to be used as a rapid, robust, and quantitative in vitro measure of metastatic potential. Because the technique only relies on fluorescence detection, requires no significant data processing, and is used with live cells, it is both rapid and straightforward.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Weiwei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pellegrino
authors.forename: Wolfgang J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Parak
authors.forename: Rosanne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boudreau
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Le Gros
authors.forename: A Paul
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Alivisatos
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Larabell
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D054443:Cell Migration Assays / Q000379:methods*; D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D045663:Quantum Dots