MALME-3M

The MALME-3M cell line is a human melanoma model used extensively in cancer research to investigate mechanisms of melanoma progression, immune evasion, and drug resistance. This cell line is derived from a metastatic melanoma lesion and demonstrates several characteristics relevant to aggressive melanoma, including its ability to express key oncogenic markers such as HER2 and its role in modulating the tumor microenvironment. Studies involving MALME-3M have highlighted its responsiveness to targeted therapies, such as bispecific antibodies aimed at HER2, and its use in evaluating T-cell mediated immunotherapies.

One significant area of research involving MALME-3M cells is their utility in studying the mechanisms of immune evasion in melanoma. For instance, co-culture systems pairing MALME-3M with immune cells allow researchers to explore how melanoma cells modulate immune responses through pathways like PD-1/PD-L1 and other immune checkpoint inhibitors. This cell line has also been genetically modified to study the effects of gene perturbations on immune interactions, making it a valuable tool for high-throughput genetic screening.

In addition to its role in immunological studies, MALME-3M cells are instrumental in exploring the effects of growth hormone (GH) on melanoma progression. Research has demonstrated that GH can enhance drug resistance and metastatic potential in MALME-3M cells by altering the composition of melanoma-derived exosomes. These exosomes can transfer drug resistance and migration-promoting factors to other cells in the tumor microenvironment. Such studies underscore the potential of targeting GH signaling pathways as a therapeutic strategy for overcoming melanoma chemoresistance.

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.