SK-MES-1

SK-MES-1 is a human lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSQCC) cell line extensively used in lung cancer research, particularly in studies focusing on the second most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SK-MES-1 cells are characterized by a high mutation rate in the tumor suppressor gene p53, which is implicated in their resistance to apoptosis and various chemotherapies. This cell line serves as an important model for evaluating novel therapeutic strategies against lung squamous cell carcinoma, particularly for drugs that target the cell cycle and apoptotic pathways.

Studies involving SK-MES-1 have shown that the cell line is responsive to platinum-based chemotherapy agents, such as lobaplatin, which induce apoptosis via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Lobaplatin, a third-generation platinum compound, has been shown to inhibit SK-MES-1 proliferation by inducing S-phase cell cycle arrest and promoting apoptosis through upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax and downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2. Additionally, SK-MES-1 cells treated with lobaplatin exhibited an increase in caspase-3, -8, and -9 activation, further supporting the involvement of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis.

SK-MES-1 has also been used to study the effects of other compounds, such as costunolide, a phytochemical that induces G1/S phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via a mitochondria-dependent pathway. Costunolide treatment increases the expression of p53 and Bax, while reducing Bcl-2 levels and disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential, further confirming the utility of SK-MES-1 in studying apoptosis-related pathways in lung squamous carcinoma.

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.