BRL-3A

The BRL-3A cell line is derived from the normal liver of a male Buffalo rat. Established in 1976, this cell line is an important in vitro model primarily used for studying hepatocyte function, liver regeneration mechanisms, and hepatotoxicity. BRL-3A cells retain several characteristics of primary hepatocytes, including the ability to synthesize albumin and other serum proteins, making them a valuable tool in hepatological research. These cells exhibit an epithelial-like morphology and are adherent with a high growth rate in culture.

Scientific interest in BRL-3A extends to its application in the study of liver-specific viral infections, drug metabolism, and the effects of various growth factors and cytokines on liver cells. Researchers also utilize BRL-3A cells to investigate the impact of toxins and carcinogens on liver function, providing insights into hepatocarcinogenesis and liver injury. The cells are known to respond to peroxisome proliferators and have been used to test the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals potentially affecting liver function.

However, despite their versatility, users of the BRL-3A cell line must consider the limitations inherent to a non-human model, as results may not always directly translate to human liver physiology. This factor underscores the importance of corroborating findings with additional models and experimental approaches.

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.