The HepG2 cell line: regularly used human liver-based in vitro model

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Scope of the method

The Method relates to

Human health

The Method is situated in

Basic Research

Type of method

In vitro - Ex vivo

This method makes use of

Human derived cells / tissues / organs

Specify the type of cells/tissues/organs

derived from liver tissue of a male with a well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma

Description

Method keywords

cell culture
in vitro tool
variety of fields
unlimited
liver-based

Scientific area keywords

Liver cell biology
protein expression

Method description

HepG2 is a human hepatoma derived cell line, which are epithelial in morphology. It was established from liver tissue of a 15-year-old Caucasian male with a well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. The HepG2 cell line is one of the most used human liver-based in vitro models. The cells secrete a variety of major plasma proteins (e.g. albumin), but show low levels of biotransformation enzymes. HepG2 cells grow mainly in islands after which they form a monolayer. They have been widely used in a variety of fields such as the study of hepatocyte function and specific protein expression.

Lab equipment