The extracellular matrix profoundly affects cellular response to soluble motogens. In view of this critical aspect of matrix functionality, we have developed a novel assay to quantify chemo-regulated cell migration within biologically relevant 3-dimensional matrices. In this "sandwich" assay, target cells are plated at the interface between an upper and lower matrix compartment, either in the presence of an isotropic (uniform) or anisotropic (gradient) spatial distribution of test motogen. Cell migration in response to the different conditions is ascertained by quantifying their subsequent disposition within the upper and lower matrix compartments. The objective of this study has been to compare the motogenic activities of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AB) and transforming growth factor-beta isoforms (TGF-beta1, -beta2 and -beta3) in the sandwich assay and the commonly employed transmembrane assay. As previously reported, dermal fibroblasts exhibited a motogenic response to isotropic and anisotropic distributions of all tested cytokines in the transmembrane assay. In contrast, only PDGF-AB and TGF-beta3 were active in the sandwich assay, each eliciting directionally unbiased (symmetrical) migration into the upper and lower type I collagen matrices in response to an isotropic cytokine distribution and a directionally biased response to an anisotropic distribution. TGF-beta1 and -beta2 were completely devoid of motogenic activity. These results are consistent with the reported differential bioactivities of PDGF and TGF-beta3 compared to TGF-beta1 and -beta2 in animal models of wound healing and suggest that the sandwich assay provides a means of obtaining physiologically relevant data regarding chemo-regulated cell migration.