HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells (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, though more recent genomic studies identify it as a hepatoblastoma (ATCC HB-8065). These cells are widely employed as a model system for studying human liver functions, including cholesterol metabolism, triglyceride synthesis, and the secretion of plasma proteins such as albumin and alpha-fetoprotein (PubMed: 22958347). In drug discovery, HepG2 is utilized to assess xenobiotic metabolism and drug-induced hepatotoxicity, as it retains many phenotypic characteristics of hepatocytes (NIH: PubChem). However, it is important to note that HepG2 is a biological model and not a specific molecular target like a receptor or enzyme. Its use is often complemented by other models due to its relatively low expression of certain cytochrome P450 enzymes compared to primary human hepatocytes (PubMed: 19579516). The cell line is also used to study the replication of hepatitis viruses and the efficacy of anti-cancer therapeutics in a controlled in vitro environment. Despite its utility, researchers must account for its neoplastic origin and potential genomic instability when interpreting results for clinical translation.

Other names

Hep G2Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line G2HB-8065

Not applicable; HepG2 is a biological model system used for drug screening and metabolic studies rather than a specific molecular target.