FRTL-5

The FRTL-5 cell line, derived from normal rat thyroid follicular cells, plays a significant role in thyroid research, particularly focusing on the physiology and pathophysiology of the gland. These cells are characterized by their dependence on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) for proliferation, making them an essential model for studying TSH regulation and thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Importantly, FRTL-5 cells retain the capability to uptake iodide, which is crucial for investigating iodide metabolism and the production of thyroid hormones. This feature underscores their utility in exploring thyroid function and dysfunctions.

In addition to their fundamental roles in thyroid hormone studies, FRTL-5 cells have been instrumental in examining the influence of growth factors, cytokines, and oncogenes on thyroid biology. Their consistent expression of thyroid-specific markers, including thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase, makes them valuable for molecular and cellular biology studies aimed at understanding thyroid-related diseases. As such, FRTL-5 cells are frequently utilized in research addressing thyroid cancer, autoimmune thyroid disease, and other related disorders, contributing significant insights into the cellular mechanisms driving these conditions.

Moreover, the FRTL-5 cell line has been critical in research related to autoimmune thyroid disorders such as Graves' disease. It has been used to assay the activity of immunoglobulins in human samples, offering a robust and reproducible model for studying autoimmune interactions with thyroid cells. The three-dimensional growth pattern of these cells provides a more physiologically relevant environment for examining cell behavior and intercellular interactions in thyroid biology. These attributes, combined with decades of research leveraging FRTL-5 cells, underscore their importance in advancing our understanding of thyroid health and disease.

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.