Three-dimensional co-culture microfluidic model and its application for research on cancer stem-like cells inducing migration of endothelial cells

Objectives To build a three-dimensional co-culture model in a microfluidic device for cancer research and evaluate its feasibility by investigating cancer stem-like cells (SCs) induced migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs). Results The microfluidic device provided two-dimensional and three-dimensional (2D/3D) culture and co-culture environments without affecting cell viability. The device also provided an effective concentration for the chemiotaxis of cells, and to support real-time monitoring of cell behavior. In this model, SCs significantly increased the migration area of ECs with a hepatocarcinoma cell line (MHCC97H; MCs). The presence of ECs also induced both MCs and SCs invasion into Matrigel. The migration area of MCs and SCs significantly increased when co-cultured with ECs. Conclusions This 3D co-culture microfluidic model is a suitable model in cancer research. Compared with MCs, SCs had greater potential in inducing EC migration and interacting with ECs.