Hepatocellular carcinoma G2 cell line (HepG2)

HepG2 is a perpetual cell line derived from the liver tissue of a 15-year-old Caucasian male with a well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (ATCC, HB-8065). These cells are widely utilized in biomedical research as an in vitro model for human hepatocytes because they retain many specialized liver functions (PubMed, PMID: 2273400). Key functions include the synthesis and secretion of plasma proteins like albumin and alpha-fetoprotein, as well as bile acid production. They are frequently employed in studies concerning liver metabolism, drug toxicity (ADME-Tox), and the molecular mechanisms of liver cancer (Cellosaurus, CVCL_0027). HepG2 cells are also used to study the replication of hepatitis viruses and the effects of environmental toxins on liver health. However, HepG2 cells represent a complex biological system rather than a specific molecular target such as a receptor or enzyme. Consequently, they are used as a testing platform for various drugs rather than being the target of a drug themselves. Because the term refers to a whole cell line, it is considered an incorrect entry for a database of specific therapeutic targets.

Other names

Hep G2Human liver cancer cell lineHepatoma G2

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