3T3 cells

3T3 Cells

The 3T3 cells are a fibroblast cell line derived from mouse embryonic tissue. The name "3T3" stands for "3-day transfer, inoculum 3 x 10^5 cells." This cell line was established in the 1960s by George Todaro and Howard Green at the Harvard Medical School. 3T3 cells are widely used in biological research, particularly in the fields of cancer research, genetics, and cell biology due to their ability to proliferate indefinitely in vitro, a characteristic attributed to their immortal nature.

Characteristics

3T3 cells exhibit a fibroblast-like morphology and are capable of growing in a monolayer. They are highly adaptable to various in vitro conditions, which makes them an ideal model system for studying cellular processes such as DNA replication, cell cycle, apoptosis, and signal transduction. These cells have a finite doubling capacity in vitro, which allows them to reach a state of senescence rather than becoming cancerous, making them a safer option for laboratory studies.

Applications

The versatility of 3T3 cells has led to their use in a wide range of scientific applications. One of the most notable uses is in the creation of NIH/3T3 cells, a subline that is particularly receptive to transformation by oncogenes, making it a valuable model for cancer research. Additionally, 3T3 cells have been utilized in the study of adipogenesis, serving as a precursor cell line for the differentiation into adipocytes, which is crucial for understanding obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Cultivation

Cultivating 3T3 cells involves maintaining them in a controlled environment, typically in a medium such as DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium) supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS), at a temperature of 37°C in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2. The cells must be passaged regularly to prevent over-confluence, which can lead to a decrease in their proliferation rate and potential senescence.

Genetic Modification

3T3 cells are amenable to genetic manipulation, making them a powerful tool for gene expression studies. Techniques such as transfection and viral transduction are commonly used to introduce foreign DNA into 3T3 cells, allowing researchers to study the effects of specific genes on cell behavior, signaling pathways, and the expression of other genes.

Limitations

While 3T3 cells are a valuable resource in biomedical research, they do have limitations. As an immortalized cell line, they may not perfectly mimic the behavior of primary cells in vivo. Additionally, being of murine origin, there are certain genetic and physiological differences that may limit the applicability of findings to human biology.

Conclusion

3T3 cells have played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of cell biology, genetics, and cancer biology. Their ease of cultivation, ability to be genetically manipulated, and relevance to various fields of research continue to make them a staple in laboratories around the world.

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External Links

• NIH National Center for Biotechnology Information
• American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)

Images

• 3T3 Cells under microscope from Wikimedia Commons