i think same protocol was used for all cell lines only difference in their culturing nutrients...

Hello Iwona Zwolak

I would suggest you go for NIH/3T3 to study the cytotoxicity of metal compounds. NIH3T3 cells is mostly used for such studies. These cells exhibit the property of contact inhibition. If the NIH/3T3 cells are continually allowed to reach confluence, the cells will lose the characteristic of contact inhibition. So, to maintain the property of high contact inhibition during propagation of NIH/3T3 cells, you should not allow the cultures to reach confluence. Subculturing is usually done at 60% confluence.

As far as I know, the BALB/c 3T3 cell line is widely used in carcinogenesis research, mostly in invitro BALB/c 3T3 Cell Transformation Assay (CTA). The in vitro cell transformation assay using the BALB/c 3T3 cell line is aimed at detecting the carcinogenic potential of chemicals. The assay is based on the change of the phenotypic features of cells undergoing the first steps of the conversion from normal cells to neoplastic-like cell foci with oncogenic properties. . In vitro CTAs such as the BALB/c 3T3 CTA have been shown to recapitulate a multistage process that closely models some stages of in vivo carcinogenesis.

About mouse 3T3-Swiss albino cells, they are well suited to be used as feeder cells which support the growth of cells in culture by contributing an undefined and complex mixture of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and growth factors.

So, I would recommend NIH3T3 cell line for your study.

Best.

Thank you very much for your detailed answer to my question. I was mainly hesitating between Balb/3T3 and NIH/3T3 and your answer helped me a lot in my choice. Thanks a lot.