THLE-2 cells

THLE-2 immortalized human liver cells form an in vitro model for drug toxicology research and 

for studying the etiology and pathogenesis of human hepatocellular carcinoma.

The THLE-2 (ATCC CRL-2706 and THLE-3 (ATCC CRL-11233) cell lines were derived from primary 

normal liver cells by infection with SV40 large T antigen. [RF84749] The virus was generated by 

introducing a retroviral vector containing the SV40 T antigen Bgl I-Hpa I fragment into the biphasic

packaging cell line PA317.

HLE-2 and THLE-3 cells express the phenotypic characteristics of normal adult liver epithelial cells. 

When injected into thymus free nude mice,

They are non tumorous, have a nearly diploid karyotype, and do not express alpha fetoprotein.

THLE-2 and THLE-3 cells metabolize benzo [a] pyrene, N-nitrosodimethylamine, and aflatoxin B1 

into their final carcinogenic metabolites,

This metabolite adducts with DNA, indicating a functional cytochrome P450 pathway. 

Other enzymes involved in the metabolism of chemical carcinogens,

Such as epoxide hydrolase, NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase

Glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase are also retained by THLE cells.

The culture submitted to ATCC in May 1989 was found to be contaminated with Mycoplasma.

 Cured after 21 days of treatment with BM Cycline.

After six weeks of treatment, the cells were tested for mycoplasma through mycoplasma staining,

 PCR, and standard culture tests. All tests were negative.

Culture medium and additives/Complete Growth Medium and Culture Conditions

Hepatocellular culture medium HPEM ( number: P2201)

Gas phase: Air, 95%; Carbon dioxide, 5%. Temperature: 37 degrees Celsius.

Freezing conditions: 5% DMSO+95% FBS

Complete Cryopreservation Solution:Primary Cell Cryopreservation Solution (SD0001)

Note: The product is only for scientific research use

DOI=10.1007/978-1-4612-0411-4_31
Lechner J.F., Smoot D.T., Pfeifer A.M.A., Cole K.H., Weston A., Groopman J.D., Shields P.G., Tokiwa T., Harris C.C.
A non-tumorigenic human liver epithelial cell culture model for chemical and biological carcinogenesis investigations.
(In) Neoplastic transformation in human cell system. Mechanism of carcinogenesis; Rhim J.S., Dritschilo A. (eds.); pp.307-321; Humana Press; New York (1990)

PubMed=7685115; DOI=10.1073/pnas.90.11.5123
Pfeifer A.M.A., Cole K.E., Smoot D.T., Weston A., Groopman J.D., Shields P.G., Vignaud J.-M., Juillerat M., Lipsky M.M., Trump B.F., Lechner J.F., Harris C.C.
Simian virus 40 large tumor antigen-immortalized normal human liver epithelial cells express hepatocyte characteristics and metabolize chemical carcinogens.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90:5123-5127(1993)

PubMed=8504475; DOI=10.1093/carcin/14.5.833
Lehman T.A., Modali R., Boukamp P., Stanek J., Bennett W.P., Welsh J.A., Metcalf R.A., Stampfer M.R., Fusenig N.E., Rogan E.M., Harris C.C.
p53 mutations in human immortalized epithelial cell lines.
Carcinogenesis 14:833-839(1993)

Patent=US5529920
Cole K.H., Lechner J.F., Reddel R.R., Harris C.C., Pfeifer A.M.A.
Human liver epithelial cell line and culture media therefor.
Patent number US5529920, 25-Jun-1996

Patent=US5759765
Harris C.C., Cole K.H., Lechner J.F., Reddel R.R.
Human liver epithelial cell lines.
Patent number US5759765, 02-Jun-1998

PubMed=23887712; DOI=10.1038/ncomms3218
Nault J.-C., Mallet M., Pilati C., Calderaro J., Bioulac-Sage P., Laurent C., Laurent A., Cherqui D., Balabaud C., Zucman-Rossi J.
High frequency of telomerase reverse-transcriptase promoter somatic mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma and preneoplastic lesions.
Nat. Commun. 4:2218.1-2218.7(2013)