GDNF-mediated cancer cell migration and a DRG co-culture model of PNI.

<p>A. MiaPaCa2 pancreatic cancer cells were (**) grown in a culture insert adjacent to a DRG (*) in Matrigel. Bar, 500 µm. DRG becomes invaded by MiaPaCa2 (arrow) which track along a neurite. Bar, 250 µm. Area of invasion was calculated using Metamorph computer software, 8 days after insert removal. Bar, 50 µm. B. MiaPaCa2 reliably invades DRG, in contrast to the squamous cell carcinoma cell line QLL2 († p<0.05, t-test). C. MiaPaCa2 migrate towards both GDNF and DRG in Boyden chamber assays. D. DRG treated with anti-GDNF antibodies demonstrated decreased area of invasion by MiaPaCa2 (p = 0.15, t-test). Photomicrographs show representative decreased area of invasion (arrow) at day 8 with anti-GDNF antibody treatment in comparison to control. Bar, 250 µm.