Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits the migratory behavior of tumor bronchial epithelial cells.

Background: Many studies associated the main polyphenolic constituent of green tea, (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), with inhibition of cancers, invasion and metastasis. To date, most of the studies have focused on the effect of EGCG on cell proliferation or death. Since cell migration is an important mechanism involved in tumor invasion, the aim of the present work was to target another approach of the therapeutic effect of EGCG, by investigating its effect on the cell migratory behavior.

3D culture model and computer-assisted videomicroscopy to analyze migratory behavior of noninvasive and invasive bronchial epithelial cells.

To date, most of the studies in the field of cell migration have been applied to two-dimensional (2D) models. To mimic the three-dimensional (3D) conditions similar to those observed in vivo during tumor invasion, we developed a 3D model of cell migration in which cells were embedded in a collagen I matrix placed in a double-compartment chamber. Using time-lapse videomicroscopy and interactive cell tracking in a four-dimensional data set, we determined the cell trajectories and their migration kinetics.