SF188

The SF188 cell line is a human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) model established from a pediatric patient. It is used extensively to study the mechanisms of chemotherapeutic resistance, particularly to alkylating agents such as 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU). Compared to other glioma-derived cell lines such as SF126, SF188 exhibits significantly higher resistance to BCNU-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Specifically, SF188 shows approximately threefold greater resistance in survival assays and 14-fold lower susceptibility to BCNU-induced sister chromatid exchange (SCE), indicating a robust DNA damage tolerance phenotype.

The resistance in SF188 is attributed to enhanced DNA repair capacity, especially the rapid and efficient removal of O⁶-alkylguanine adducts. Upon exposure to methylating agents like N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, SF188 cells demonstrate marked removal of O⁶-methylguanine lesions, whereas more sensitive cell lines show minimal repair activity. This efficient lesion repair likely prevents the formation of interstrand crosslinks, thereby maintaining genomic integrity and increasing cell survival. Importantly, SF188 also exhibits a high chromosomal count (modal number 91) and lacks expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), confirming its poorly differentiated glioma origin and making it an excellent model for studying the interplay between DNA repair and chemoresistance in high-grade gliomas.

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.