Calu-3

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Calu-3 is a human lung cancer cell line that is commonly used in scientific research. It was derived from a pleural effusion of a patient with adenocarcinoma of the lung. Calu-3 cells are known for their ability to form tight junctions and polarize, making them a valuable model for studying airway epithelium and drug transport.

Characteristics

Calu-3 cells exhibit several key characteristics that make them useful for research:

• They form tight junctions, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier.
• They can polarize, meaning they have distinct apical and basolateral surfaces, similar to the cells lining the human respiratory tract.
• They express various cytokines and chemokines, which are important for studying inflammatory responses.

Applications in Research

Calu-3 cells are widely used in various fields of research, including:

• Respiratory disease studies: Due to their origin and characteristics, Calu-3 cells are used to model diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Drug delivery and pharmacokinetics: Researchers use Calu-3 cells to study the transport and absorption of drugs across the airway epithelium.
• Virology: Calu-3 cells are used to study the infection mechanisms of various respiratory viruses, including influenza and coronavirus.

Culturing Calu-3 Cells

Calu-3 cells are typically cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). They require a humidified atmosphere with 5% carbon dioxide (CO2) at 37°C. Proper maintenance of these cells is crucial for ensuring their viability and functionality in experiments.

See Also

• Cell culture
• A549 cell line
• H1299 cell line
• Lung cancer
• Epithelial cells