U937

The U937 cell line, established from the pleural effusion of a patient with generalized histiocytic lymphoma in 1976, has become an essential cellular model in the field of immunology, particularly in studies related to monocyte and macrophage biology. U937 cells have contributed significantly to our understanding of cell differentiation, immune response, and the pathogenesis of diseases like leukemia.

The U937 cell line is extensively utilized in immunological and hematological research due to its remarkable ability to differentiate into monocyte or macrophage-like cells when treated with agents like retinoids, Vitamin D3, and phorbol esters such as TPA (12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate). This differentiation capacity is crucial for studying various aspects of monocyte and macrophage biology, including phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and cytokine production.

Upon differentiation, U937 cells adopt functional characteristics akin to those of mature immune cells, making them an invaluable model for investigating the monocyte-endothelium adhesion process, a critical step in the immune response and inflammation. Moreover, these cells have been employed to delve into the complex regulation of inflammatory gene expression and the signaling pathways involved, particularly the NF-κB pathway.

U937 cells are also widely used in the study of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. These cells are particularly useful for investigating the molecular pathways leading to apoptosis, the effects of various stimuli or drugs on apoptotic processes, and the interplay between apoptosis and other cellular functions like cell cycle regulation and differentiation.

In summary, the U937 cell line serves as a versatile and relevant model for studying a wide range of biological processes, from cell differentiation and apoptosis and the effect of pharmacological agents.

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.