MDBK (NBL-1)

MDBK cells, short for Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney cells (also known as NBL-1), are an exceptional biological resource derived from the kidneys of apparently healthy adult Bos taurus, specifically male individuals. These cells grow adherently and possess an epithelial-like morphology.

One of the remarkable applications of MDBK cells lies in their ability to facilitate in vitro studies on the expression of Eimeria bovis-derived antigens on the host cell surface membrane.
Additionally, MDBK cells have been employed in investigations centred around the ubiquitination and degradation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 2 (STAT1 and STAT2) by the V proteins of paramyxoviruses, such as simian virus five and human parainfluenza virus type 2.

With an average doubling time ranging from 24 to 35 hours, MDBK cells exhibit a moderate proliferation rate. The establishment of the MDBK cell line dates back to February 18, 1957, when S.H. Madin and N.B. Darby successfully derived it from the kidney of a healthy adult steer. Since then, these cells have become a cornerstone in biological research, enabling numerous breakthroughs in various scientific fields.

The karyotype analysis of MDBK cells reveals a modal chromosome number of 51, indicating a hypodiploid state. Within the cell population, the hypodiploid condition manifests as a stemline chromosome number of 2n = 60, with a 2S component occurring in approximately 5% of the cells. Moreover, 11-14 marker chromosomes are typically present, comprising a combination of metacentric, submetacentric, and acro-telocentric chromosomes. Notably, the x chromosome appears monosomic, while no HSR chromosomes or DM's (double minutes) are observed.

MDBK cells exhibit an array of applications in the realm of biological research. Their utility extends to 3D cell culture, enabling scientists to recreate complex tissue-like structures for advanced studies. Furthermore, MDBK cells are invaluable in high-throughput screening, facilitating the rapid and efficient screening of compounds or agents for various purposes. Additionally, these cells play a crucial role in toxicology studies, essential for evaluating the safety and potential adverse effects of substances on living organisms.
Regarding viral susceptibility, MDBK cells demonstrate receptiveness to several pathogens, including Vesicular stomatitis Orsay (Indiana) virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, bovine rhinotracheitis virus, bovine parvovirus, bovine adenovirus 2 and 3, bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1, and parainfluenza three virus. This susceptibility to a diverse range of viruses makes MDBK cells invaluable for investigating viral pathogenesis and evaluating antiviral strategies.

37°C, 5% CO₂, humidified atmosphere.

1. Confirm that the vial remains deeply frozen upon delivery, as cells are shipped on dry ice to maintain optimal temperatures during transit.

2. Upon receipt, either store the cryovial immediately at temperatures below -150°C to ensure the preservation of cellular integrity, or proceed to step 3 if immediate culturing is required.

3. For immediate culturing, swiftly thaw the vial by immersing it in a 37°C water bath with clean water and an antimicrobial agent, agitating gently for 40-60 seconds until a small ice clump remains.

4. Perform all subsequent steps under sterile conditions in a flow hood, disinfecting the cryovial with 70% ethanol before opening.

5. Carefully open the disinfected vial and transfer the cell suspension into a 15 ml centrifuge tube containing 8 ml of room-temperature culture medium, mixing gently.

6. Centrifuge the mixture at 300 x g for 3 minutes to separate the cells and carefully discard the supernatant containing residual freezing medium.

7. Gently resuspend the cell pellet in 10 ml of fresh culture medium. For adherent cells, divide the suspension between two T25 culture flasks; for suspension cultures, transfer all the medium into one T25 flask to promote effective cell interaction and growth.

8. Adhere to established subculture protocols for continued growth and maintenance of the cell line, ensuring reliable experimental outcomes.

Mycoplasma contamination is excluded using both PCR-based assays and luminescence-based mycoplasma detection methods.

To ensure there is no bacterial, fungal, or yeast contamination, cell cultures are subjected to daily visual inspections.

For long-term preservation, place vials in vapor-phase liquid nitrogen at about −150 to −196 °C. Storage at −80 °C is acceptable only as a short interim step before transfer to liquid nitrogen.

Cryopreserved cell lines are shipped on dry ice in validated, insulated packaging with sufficient refrigerant to maintain approximately −78 °C throughout transit. On receipt, inspect the container immediately and transfer vials without delay to appropriate storage.

At Cytion, we stand behind the quality and viability of our products. We guarantee that our cells will be viable at the start of culture for 60 days after shipment from our facilities. We assure that all materials conform to the specifications described in the Certificate of Analysis and/or Product Sheet.

For full details, please refer to our Warranty Statement.