Reconstructing Leukocyte Migration in 3D Extracellular Matrix by Time-Lapse Videomicroscopy and Computer-Assisted Tracking

The quantification of cell migration within three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix has become an important tool to investigate how cells integrate molecular events into higher-order adhesion and positioning within the tissue. Because most processes in vivo occur within 3D tissues rather than on two-dimensional (2D) surfaces, modern 3D tissue-based culture systems have been developed to mimick aspects of in vivo-like scaffolding and reconstruction of cell adhesion and motility, cell patterning, and cell-cell communication (1 –4 ).