Figure 3
Effect of Metformin on migration and invasion of iCCA primary cell cultures. (A) Cell migration was analysed by the wound healing assay method in monolayer of Large duct-type iCCA or Small duct-type iCCA primary cultures treated with increasing doses (0–100 µM) of Metformin. The time required to cover the stretch (grey areas) by cell migration was significantly longer in cell cultures exposed to Metformin and this was dose-dependent. On the right, results were graphically expressed; the percentage of area covered by cell migration (after stretch) was calculated compare to controls at t0 (closure rate percentage). Data represent mean ± SD of N = 5 independent experiments. *p < 0.05 versus t0. (B) Cell invasion: the number of cells that migrated through the matrix were counted and the results were expressed as a percentage of migrated cells in Metformin-treated versus controls. After 48 and 96 h of treatment with Metformin 10 µM or 100 µM, the percentage of cell migrating into the matrix was significantly lower with respect to controls and this was found in both Large and Small duct-type iCCA cell cultures. Data represent mean ± SD of N = 5 independent experiments. *p < 0.05 versus controls; &p < 0.05 versus 10 µM.
