WB-F344 Rat Liver Progenitor Cell Line

Among adult organs, the liver has the unique ability to regenerate after injury, a feature that has generated a high level of interest in liver progenitor cells for therapeutic uses. Liver progenitor cells (also known as oval cells) have potential to differentiate into either of the two epithelial cell types in the liver, biliary epithelial cells or hepatocytes.1 The inherent versatility and clinical applicability of liver progenitor cells highlight the importance of cellular models for this cell type.
WB-F344 is a highly cited, spontaneously immortalized rat liver progenitor cell line. WB-F344 cells are derived from adult tissue yet have the characteristic phenotype of oval cells and proliferate rapidly.3 WB-F344 cells express markers of liver progenitor cells, including EpCAM, Thy1, and α-fetoprotein.3 WB-F344 cells are non-tumorigenic, but can undergo neoplastic transformation both in response to treatment with carcinogenic agents4 and spontaneously when maintained in a post-confluent state.5 The WB-F344 cell line is a well-established and versatile model for studies of liver cell renewal, differentiation, and origination of hepatic cancers.

Source
WB-F344 rat liver progenitor cell line was isolated from the liver epithelium of an adult Fischer-344 rat.2

References
1. Int J Exp Pathol 2005, 86(1): 1-18.
2. Stem Cells Cloning 2010, 3: 39-47.
3. Exp Cell Res 1984, 154(1): 38-52.
4. Am J Pathol 1989, 135(1): 63-71.
5. Am J Pathol 1998, 153(6): 1913-1921.

The WB-F344 cell line is a well-established and versatile model for studies of liver cell renewal, differentiation, and origination of hepatic cancers.

The cells should be stored in liquid nitrogen until use. The cells can be cultured for at least 10 passages after initial thawing without significantly affecting functionality.

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