Human Lymphoma U937 Cells

The U937 cell line is a well-established human cell line that originates from a histiocytic lymphoma. These cells exhibit characteristics similar to monocytes and macrophages. They have the ability to differentiate into macrophage-like cells when exposed to various stimuli.

U937 cells are considered a mature cell line as they are immortalized through transformation by the Epstein-Barr virus. U937 cells are commonly used in immunological research, particularly in studies related to monocyte function, differentiation, and antigen presentation. They are also used to study the mechanisms of various diseases. This includes conditions such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. However, U937-derived macrophages exhibit lower activity in certain cases, such as phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, while THP-1-derived macrophages show higher phagocytic activity and ROS production. It may suggest that U937 cells may not be as widely applicable as THP-1 cells for in vitro studies as macrophage models.

Fig. 1 The ROS production between U937- and THP-1-derived macrophages.¹

U937-based Proliferation Assay

Proliferation assays are essential in the initial stages of drug development. By evaluating the effects of various compounds on U937 cell growth, researchers can screen for promising drug candidates and optimize their pharmacological properties. Examining how a compound affects U937 cell proliferation can also aid in toxicity assessments. Since U937 cells model monocyte behavior, studying the influence of compounds on their proliferation can enhance understanding of inflammatory processes and help develop anti-inflammatory therapies.

Creative Biolabs will pre-incubate the cells overnight. The test compound is subsequently added and incubated for 72 hours. Staurosporine served as a control in the U937-based proliferation assay. Staurosporine, a well-known inducer of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, can also trigger necroptosis in the U937 cell line under conditions where caspases are compromised.

Creative Biolabs provides proliferation assay for various cell types. Please contact us for more details about our services. Furthermore, you may be interested in the Human Lymphoma Cell H33HJ-JA1-based Proliferation Assay as well.

Reference

1. Nascimento, C. R., et al. " Comparison of monocytic cell lines U937 and THP-1 as macrophage models for in vitro studies." Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports 32 (2022): 101383. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.

For Research Use Only | Not For Clinical Use