• An in vitro system for assessing the invasive potential of both malignant and normal cells

 • BD Matrigel Matrix serves as a model for the basement membrane and creates a barrier to noninvasive cells

 • Standard protocol includes procedure to quantify percent invasion

The BD BioCoat Matrigel Invasion Chambers are useful to study cell invasion of malignant and normal cells. The BD BioCoat Growth Factor Reduced (GFR) Matrigel Invasion Chambers can be used to study the mechanisms of invasion and to identify factors that interfere with this process in an in vitro environment. The Invasion Chambers consist of a BD Falcon™ Cell Culture Insert with an 8 µm pore size PET membrane, uniformly coated with BD Matrigel Matrix, packaged ready-to-use in 24-well formats.
The BD Matrigel Matrix/GFR Matrigel Matrix serves as a reconstituted basement membrane in vitro. This matrix provides a true barrier to non-invasive cells while presenting an appropriate protein structure for invading cells to penetrate before passing through the membrane. The PET membrane is compatible with most fixatives and can be used with both light and electron microscopy. Processing is simplified as the durable membrane will not tear or curl and remains easy to handle when removed from the insert housing.

Applications include:

 • Assessment of the metastatic potential of tumor cells inhibition of metastasis by extracellular matrix components or antineoplastic drugs

 • Altered expression of proteins in metastatic cells

 • Invasion of normal cells, such as neutrophils13 eosinophils, endothelial cells

 • Study neutrophil transmigration through the basement membrane