THP-1 cell line
THP-1 is a human monocytic cell line derived from an acute monocytic leukemia patient. It is used to test leukemia cell lines in immunocytochemical analysis of protein-protein interactions, and immunohistochemistry. Characteristics. Although THP-1 cells are of the same lineage, mutations can cause differences as the progeny proliferates. In general, THP-1 cells exhibit a large, round, single-cell morphology. The cells were derived from the peripheral blood of a 1-year-old human male with acute monocytic leukemia. Some of their characteristics are: Growth Information. THP-1 can provide continuous culture when grown in suspension; RPMI 1640 +  10% FBS + 2mM L-Glutamine. The average doubling time is 19 to 50 hours. 1 mM sodium pyruvate, penicillin (100 units/ml) and streptomycin (100 μg/ml) are also commonly added to inhibit bacterial contamination. Cultures should be maintained at cell densities in the range 2-9x10 cells/ml at 37 °C, 5% CO. Cells are non-adherent. Hazards. THP-1 cells are of human origin, and no evidence has been found for the presence of infectious viruses or toxic products. The ATCC Biosafety recommendation is level 1. Research applications. THP-1 cells are used as "in vitro" cancer cell  models, as well as a models to study the monocyte-macrophage differentiation process, and as a model to examine some macrophage-related physiological processes, for example the macrophage cholesterol efflux.