I recently received a cell stock labelled as hepG2. But when I cultured it, its morphology showed as attached photo. I think the morphology is different from commercially available HepG2 cell lines (HepG2 from ECACC or ATCC). Are the cells I received really HepG2? May I know your opinions?
Dear Lin!
Cell morphology is similar to Hep2 (see photo).
Сell morphology may differ depending on the culture medium and serum used, medium additives, material and adhesive properties of culture dishes (Petri dishes, vials, plates with low and high adhesion, manufacturer's company), cell seeding density (at high density, cells will more compact, and at low density - spread).
What medium do you use and is it on a special coating vessel? It does not look like HepG2 in MEM+10% FBS on regular TC treated vessel at all. HepG2 tends to form patches and colonies on TC plate/flask with moderately tight binding to the surface and connection to other cells. If you left the HepG2 overgrown, you will see cells growing on top of other cells and form colonies. These cells will have looser binding to the surface.
I am concerned about the many protrusions on the cell surface. I have never seen such a protrusion on the HepG2. It may depend on the dish you are using.
I suggest you wash thoroughly with PBS before trypsinization and check again after 3-4 passaging. I am using DMEM supplemented with 10% fbs and 1%pen/strep mix.
Thank you so much for your answers and suggestions,
Alexandr Chernov Bill Chi Shun Ho Taijun Hana Doğukan Mutlu . Sorry for noticing late.
I used cell culture dish 90x20 (20100) from SPL, DMEM+10%FBS+1% Antibiotic-Antimycotic.
Yes, Doğukan Mutlu . I'll check it again after 3-4 passaging.
The composition of the medium and the surface of the culture dish changes the morphology of the cells. You can use a genetic confirmation service. However, buy a new lot from ATCC may be the easiest way.
Even if.........it is genetically confirmed as HepG2, the reproducibility of your experiments may be low. The difference from the general morphology of the cell indicates that the cell's gene expression is not in a general situation.
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