title: Analysis of gap junctional intercellular communications using a dielectrophoresis-based microchip.
abstract: Gap junctions are transmembrane structures that directly connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells, making intercellular communications possible. It has been shown that the behaviour of several tumours - such as bone tumours - is related to gap junction intercellular communications (GJIC). Several methodologies are available for studying GJIC, based on measuring different parameters that are useful for multiple applications, such as the study of carcinogenesis for example. These methods nevertheless have several limitations. The present manuscript describes the setting up of a dielectrophoresis (DEP)-based lab-on-a-chip platform for the real-time study of Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication between osteosarcoma cells and the main cells accessible to their microenvironment. We conclude that using the DEParray technology for the GJIC assessment has several advantages comparing to current techniques. This methodology is less harmful for cells integrity; cells can be recovered after interaction to make further molecular analysis; it is possible to study GJIC in real time; we can promote cell interactions using up to five different populations. The setting up of this new methodology overcomes several difficulties to perform experiments for solving questions about GJIC process that we are not able to do with current technics.
authors.affiliation: INSERM, UMR 957, Equipe LIGUE Nationale Contre le Cancer 2012, Nantes 44035, France; Université de Nantes, Nantes atlantique universités, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Nantes, France; Laboratotio Hematologia Oncologica y de Transplantes, Institut Investigacions Biomèdiques (IBB) Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creui Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tellez-Gabriel
authors.affiliation: INSERM, UMR 957, Equipe LIGUE Nationale Contre le Cancer 2012, Nantes 44035, France; Université de Nantes, Nantes atlantique universités, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charrier
authors.affiliation: INSERM, UMR 957, Equipe LIGUE Nationale Contre le Cancer 2012, Nantes 44035, France; Université de Nantes, Nantes atlantique universités, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Bénédicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brounais-Le Royer
authors.affiliation: INSERM, UMR 957, Equipe LIGUE Nationale Contre le Cancer 2012, Nantes 44035, France; Université de Nantes, Nantes atlantique universités, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mullard
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM, Sarcoma Research Unit, University of Sheffield, Medical School, S10 2RX, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Hannah K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: INSERM, UMR 957, Equipe LIGUE Nationale Contre le Cancer 2012, Nantes 44035, France; Université de Nantes, Nantes atlantique universités, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Verrecchia
authors.affiliation: INSERM, UMR 957, Equipe LIGUE Nationale Contre le Cancer 2012, Nantes 44035, France; Université de Nantes, Nantes atlantique universités, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Nantes, France; Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM, Sarcoma Research Unit, University of Sheffield, Medical School, S10 2RX, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: dominique.heymann@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heymann
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D046209:Electrophoresis, Microchip / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000473:pathology; D059008:Time-Lapse Imaging / Q000379:methods
keywords: Bone microenvironment; Dielectrophoresis device; Gap junctional intercellular communication