Cell models - Cell lines

7 important questions on Cell models - Cell lines

Why do we use human cells for toxicity?

Animal models

  • Poor prediction of adverse events
  • Valid ethical concerns
  • High costs and time
  • Not suited for molecular investigation on cellular levels

What are cell lines, how different from primary cells?

Cells that are immortal.
Made by human or cancer cells that are immortal from themself.

Name some characteristics of cancer cell lines (5)

  • Highly proliferative/glycolytic
  • Loss of contact inhibiton => delen niet verder wanneer ze een ander raken => daarom krijg je een enkele laag.
  • 50% p53 mutation
  • Immortal (spontaneous or by a virus)
  • Abnormal karyotype
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What are limitations of cancer cells lines? (4)

➢ Overexpression of efflux transporters MDR1 (ABC1/PGP) => to pump drugs out of the cells
➢ Lack of metabolizing enzymes => no p450 to metabolize drugs. 
➢ Oncogenes tumour suppressor genes
➢ Abnormal behavior, no controlled cell numbers

What are characteristics of normal cell lines.

  • Normal karyotype
  • Still contact inhibition
  • Immortal (expression of telomerase)

How are cell lines made immortal?

➢ hTERT overexpression: (catalytic subunit of human telomerase)
➢ In combination with viral proteins.


SV40 (large T antigen) or temperature induced (SV40ts)

What are limitations of normal cell lines? (3)

Limitations for toxicity testing:
➢ Not available for all cell types
Time consuming to produce
➢ Sometimes more expensive (license fees)

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