by Animal cell culture is a biotechnological method involving the artificial cultivation of animal cells in a controlled environment. These cells are typically sourced from multicellular eukaryotes and established cell lines. Widely utilized for isolating and culturing cells in controlled conditions, it initially served for specific laboratory studies. Over time, it evolved into a means of maintaining live cell lines independently of their original source.
This technique owes its development to the creation of fundamental tissue culture media, enabling the cultivation of diverse cells under varied conditions. In vitro culture of isolated cells from various animals has greatly contributed to understanding cell functions and mechanisms. Animal cell culture has diverse applications, notably in cancer research, vaccine production, and gene therapy.
Cultivating animal cells on artificial media is more challenging than microorganisms, requiring richer nutrient and growth factor supply. Nonetheless, advancements in culture media now facilitate the growth of both undifferentiated and differentiated cells. Furthermore, this technique allows for the initiation of organ culture in vitro using complex structures like organs, depending on the specific purpose and application.
Types of Animal Cell culture
There are several types of animal cell culture techniques, each tailored for specific purposes and applications in research and industry.
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Primary Cell Culture:
Primary cells are directly isolated from tissues and organs. They are cultured for a short period without undergoing immortalization. These cultures represent the specific characteristics of the original tissue.
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Cell Line Culture:
Established cell lines are derived from primary cultures and have the ability to grow indefinitely under specific conditions. These cells have undergone genetic alterations or mutations that allow them to proliferate continuously.
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Diploid Cell Culture:
Diploid cells have a complete set of chromosomes, making them more similar to normal cells. They are commonly used in vaccine production and biological research.
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Heteroploid Cell Culture:
These cells have an abnormal number of chromosomes due to genetic alterations. Common examples include HeLa cells, which are widely used in research.
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Continuous Cell Culture:
Continuous cultures are derived from immortalized cell lines and can be maintained indefinitely. They are particularly valuable for large-scale production of biopharmaceuticals.
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Suspension Culture:
Cells are grown in a liquid medium, allowing them to float freely. This method is often used for cells that naturally grow in suspension, such as blood cells.
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Monolayer Culture:
Cells are grown in a single layer on a flat surface. This method is commonly used for adherent cells, which require a surface to attach and grow.
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Organotypic Culture:
This technique involves culturing whole organs or tissue slices in vitro. It allows for the study of organ-level responses and interactions.
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Three-Dimensional (3D) Culture:
Cells are grown in a way that mimics the natural tissue environment more closely, promoting cell-cell interactions and tissue formation. This is important for modeling complex tissues and organs.
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Co-Culture:
Different cell types are cultured together, allowing researchers to study interactions between different cell populations.
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Clonal Culture:
Derived from a single cell, these cultures are used to study the behavior of individual cells or to establish monoclonal cell lines.
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Hybridoma Culture:
This involves the fusion of antibody-producing B cells with immortalized myeloma cells, resulting in hybrid cells (hybridomas) that can produce specific antibodies.
Cell Lines
Cell lines are populations of cells derived from a single parent cell through a process called cell culture. These cells have the ability to divide and replicate indefinitely under specific laboratory conditions. They are commonly used in scientific research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries for various purposes.
Characteristics of cell lines:
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Immortality:
Unlike primary cells, which have a limited lifespan, cell lines have undergone genetic alterations or mutations that allow them to continue dividing and proliferating indefinitely.
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Homogeneity:
Cell lines consist of cells that are genetically identical, originating from a single parent cell. This uniformity is crucial for reproducibility in experiments.
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Stability:
Well-established cell lines remain stable over time, maintaining their genetic and phenotypic characteristics through numerous passages.
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Genetic Modifications:
Some cell lines may be genetically modified to express specific traits or proteins of interest, making them valuable tools for studying various biological processes.
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Standardization:
Cell lines are often characterized extensively to document their specific features, ensuring consistency in research outcomes.
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Specific Applications:
Different cell lines have been developed for specific applications, such as cancer research, drug screening, vaccine production, and bioprocessing.
Notable examples of cell lines include HeLa cells, derived from a cervical cancer patient named Henrietta Lacks, and CHO cells (Chinese hamster ovary cells), commonly used in biopharmaceutical production.
While cell lines are invaluable in scientific research, it’s important to note that they may accumulate genetic changes over time. Thus, researchers must regularly validate the authenticity and characteristics of the cell lines they work with to ensure accurate and reliable results.
Examples of Common Cell Lines
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HeLa Cells:
Derived from cervical cancer cells taken from Henrietta Lacks in 1951, HeLa cells are one of the oldest and most widely used human cell lines in research.
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CHO Cells (Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells):
CHO cells are a popular cell line for the production of therapeutic proteins and antibodies in biopharmaceutical industries.
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NIH/3T3 Cells:
These are mouse embryonic fibroblast cells commonly used for studies related to cell biology, cancer, and molecular biology.
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HEK 293 Cells (Human Embryonic Kidney 293 Cells):
These cells were derived from human embryonic kidney tissue and are used extensively in biotechnology and molecular biology for protein expression.
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A549 Cells:
These are human alveolar epithelial cells derived from a lung carcinoma and are frequently used in studies related to respiratory diseases and cancer research.
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Jurkat Cells:
A line of human T lymphocyte cells that are used in immunology and studies related to T-cell function.
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MDCK Cells (Madin–Darby Canine Kidney Cells):
Derived from a dog’s kidney, these cells are widely used in studies related to virology, cell biology, and drug transport.
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PC-12 Cells:
A cell line derived from a rat pheochromocytoma, often used in neurobiology and neuroscience research.
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U937 Cells:
A human monocyte-like cell line that is used in immunology and studies related to monocyte/macrophage function.
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MCF-7 Cells:
Derived from human breast cancer tissue, MCF-7 cells are widely used in breast cancer research and studies related to hormone receptor signaling.
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HepG2 Cells:
A human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, commonly used in liver-related studies, drug metabolism, and toxicology research.
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Caco-2 Cells:
A line of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, frequently used to study drug absorption and intestinal permeability.
Procedure or Protocol of Animal Cell culture
Animal cell culture is a precise laboratory technique that involves the controlled growth and maintenance of animal cells outside their natural environment (in vitro) under controlled conditions. Here is a general procedure or protocol for animal cell culture:
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Preparation of Workspace:
- Ensure a clean and sterile workspace, ideally within a laminar flow hood, to minimize contamination.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including gloves, lab coat, and safety goggles.
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Thawing and Subculturing Cells (for established cell lines):
- Thaw frozen cells in a water bath at 37°C, being careful not to overheat.
- Transfer thawed cells to a centrifuge tube and gently spin to collect.
- Discard the supernatant, resuspend cells in fresh culture medium, and count using a hemocytometer.
- Seed the desired number of cells in a new culture vessel with fresh medium.
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Preparation of Culture Medium:
Prepare a suitable culture medium, which includes essential nutrients, growth factors, and serum (if required). Use sterile techniques and appropriate equipment for preparation.
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Cell Seeding:
- Aspirate old medium from the culture vessel and rinse cells with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to remove any traces of serum or debris.
- Add the desired volume of fresh medium containing cells to the culture vessel.
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Incubation:
Place the culture vessel in an incubator set to the appropriate conditions (37°C, 5% CO2, and high humidity) to provide a controlled environment for cell growth.
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Subculturing:
- When cells reach confluence (cover the surface of the vessel), they need to be subcultured.
- Remove old medium, wash with PBS, and then treat with a trypsin solution (or other dissociation reagent) to detach cells from the surface.
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Counting and Seeding:
- Count the detached cells using a hemocytometer and calculate the desired seeding density for subculturing.
- Seed the cells into new culture vessels with fresh medium.
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Monitoring and Maintenance:
- Regularly check cells under a microscope for morphology, growth, and signs of contamination.
- Change the medium as needed to provide fresh nutrients for the cells.
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Freezing Cells (Optional):
Cells can be frozen for long-term storage. Prepare a cryoprotective solution, mix with cells, and store in cryovials in a controlled-rate freezing container. Transfer to a -80°C or liquid nitrogen freezer.
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Record Keeping:
Maintain thorough records of cell passages, subcultures, and any deviations from the standard protocol.
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Sterilization and Decontamination:
Regularly clean and decontaminate the workspace and equipment to prevent cross-contamination.
Applications of Animal Cell culture
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Drug Discovery and Development:
- Screening potential drug compounds for efficacy and toxicity.
- Studying the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs.
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Vaccine Production:
Culturing cells for the production of viral vaccines, such as those for influenza and measles.
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Biopharmaceutical Production:
Producing therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and other biologics for medical treatments.
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Cancer Research:
Studying the growth, behavior, and response of cancer cells to different treatments, aiding in the development of anti-cancer therapies.
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Stem Cell Research:
Maintaining and propagating stem cell lines for regenerative medicine and studying cellular differentiation and development.
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Toxicology Studies:
Evaluating the effects of chemicals, toxins, and environmental factors on cellular systems to assess potential harm.
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Genetic Engineering and Gene Therapy:
Modifying and expressing genes in cultured cells for research or therapeutic applications.
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Cell Signaling and Molecular Biology Studies:
Investigating cellular processes, signal transduction pathways, and gene regulation mechanisms.
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Virology Research:
Studying viral replication, pathogenesis, and host-virus interactions.
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Tissue Engineering:
Growing cells on scaffolds to create artificial tissues and organs for transplantation or research purposes.
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Reproductive Biology:
Studying gametes and early embryonic development, as well as investigating fertility-related issues.
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Neuroscience Research:
Culturing neurons and glial cells to study neurophysiology, neurodegenerative diseases, and drug screening for neurological disorders.
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Immunology:
Investigating immune responses, antibody production, and interactions between immune cells and pathogens.
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Infectious Disease Research:
Studying host-pathogen interactions and developing antiviral or antibacterial drugs.
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Food and Dairy Industry:
Producing cultured dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, and fermented foods.
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Environmental Toxicology:
Assessing the impact of pollutants and contaminants on living organisms at the cellular level.
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Veterinary Medicine:
Culturing animal cells for research related to animal health, disease modeling, and drug development for veterinary applications.
Advantages of Animal Cell culture
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Controlled Environment:
Animal cell culture provides a controlled and standardized environment, allowing researchers to manipulate various factors such as nutrients, pH, temperature, and oxygen levels.
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Reproducibility:
With careful maintenance and adherence to protocols, cell cultures can be highly reproducible, ensuring consistent results in experiments.
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Study of Human Biology:
Animal cell cultures, especially those derived from human tissues, allow researchers to study cellular processes and responses that are directly relevant to human biology.
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Reduction of Animal Testing:
By using cultured cells, researchers can reduce the need for live animal experiments, aligning with ethical and animal welfare considerations.
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Isolation of Specific Cell Types:
Researchers can isolate and study specific cell types, allowing for focused investigations into particular cell functions or characteristics.
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Modeling Diseases:
Cultured cells can be used to model various diseases, providing valuable insights into disease mechanisms, drug responses, and potential therapies.
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Drug Screening and Development:
Animal cell culture allows for high-throughput screening of potential drug compounds, enabling the identification of promising candidates for further development.
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Vaccine Production:
Many viral vaccines are produced using animal cell cultures, providing a safe and controlled environment for vaccine development.
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Biopharmaceutical Production:
Cultured cells are used in the production of biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins, for medical treatments.
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Flexibility and Adaptability:
Cell cultures can be adapted to various experimental needs, including different cell lines, culture conditions, and assays.
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Long–Term Storage and Maintenance:
Established cell lines can be cryopreserved for long-term storage, providing a stable and accessible resource for future experiments.
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Study of Cell Signaling and Molecular Biology:
Animal cell culture allows for the investigation of intricate cellular processes, signal transduction pathways, and gene regulation mechanisms.
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Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine:
Cultured cells can be used to create artificial tissues and organs for transplantation or research purposes.
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Safety Testing:
Cell cultures are used in safety assessments for various products, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, to evaluate potential toxic effects.
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Environmental Studies:
Animal cell cultures are used in environmental toxicology studies to assess the impact of pollutants and contaminants on living organisms.
Disadvantages of Animal Cell culture
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Limited Complexity:
Cultured cells lack the complex interactions and three-dimensional structures found in whole organisms or tissues, limiting their ability to fully replicate in vivo conditions.
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Lack of Physiological Context:
Cells in culture may behave differently than in their natural physiological environment, potentially leading to findings that do not fully represent in vivo biology.
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Loss of Heterogeneity:
Cells in culture may undergo genetic and phenotypic changes over time, leading to the selection of a subpopulation of cells that may not fully represent the original tissue or organism.
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Contamination Risk:
Maintaining sterile conditions is crucial, as microbial contamination can compromise experiments and lead to inaccurate results.
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Artificial Growth Conditions:
Cells are grown in controlled environments with specific nutrient and oxygen levels, which may not fully reflect the dynamic conditions found in living organisms.
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Genetic Drift and Evolution:
Cell lines may accumulate genetic mutations or alterations over time, potentially leading to differences from the original source material.
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Ethical Considerations:
The use of animal-derived cells may raise ethical concerns, particularly when sourcing cells from live animals or from tissues obtained through procedures like biopsies.
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Limited Modeling of Whole Organisms:
Animal cell cultures do not capture the complexity of whole organisms, including interactions between different cell types, organs, and physiological systems.
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Variable Responses to Drugs and Stimuli:
The behavior of cultured cells may not always accurately predict how cells in an intact organism will respond to drugs, toxins, or other stimuli.
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Cost and Resources:
Maintaining cell cultures can be resource-intensive, requiring specialized equipment, culture media, and trained personnel.
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Species Differences:
Cell lines from different species may not always accurately represent human physiology, potentially limiting the applicability of findings to human health.
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Limited Functional Assays:
Some cellular functions, such as immune responses or certain metabolic processes, may be difficult to replicate in vitro.
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Potential for Cross-Contamination:
Cell lines can become contaminated with other cell lines, leading to misinterpretation of experimental results.
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