MDCK-II

Madin-Darby Canine Kidney type II (MDCK-II) cells are an epithelial cell line derived from the kidney of an adult female cocker spaniel. These cells are widely used in biomedical research due to their unique ability to form tight junctions and polarized monolayers, which are characteristic features of epithelial tissues. MDCK-II cells exhibit robust growth and differentiation properties, making them an excellent model for studying epithelial cell biology, including cell polarity, transport processes, and barrier function.

The MDCK-II cell line is particularly valuable for investigating the mechanisms of virus-host interactions, especially for influenza virus research. The cells' ability to form polarized monolayers makes them ideal for studying the directional release and spread of viruses. Additionally, MDCK-II cells are frequently employed in drug transport and toxicity studies, as their well-defined tight junctions provide a reliable model for assessing the permeability and barrier function of epithelial cells. Their responsiveness to various growth factors and hormones further enhances their utility in diverse research applications.

Researchers also use MDCK-II cells to explore renal physiology and pathophysiology, given their origin from kidney tissue. This cell line provides insights into kidney epithelial cell function, including ion transport, fluid regulation, and cellular responses to injury. Overall, MDCK-II cells are a versatile and essential tool in the study of epithelial cell biology and related biomedical fields.

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.