A549 Transfection Reagent (Lung Carcinoma, CCL-185)

In the following study, researchers investigate the cytotoxic effects of silver nitrate on A549 cells. MTT assay, flow cytometry, immunocytochemical, confocal and transmission electron microscopy, and microarray assays were used to analyze the effects of silver nitrate. Results show that silver nitrate exhibit inhibitory effects against A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, ultimately inducing apoptosis. These results suggest that silver nitrate may be used as an effective therapeutic agent against lung cancer. [ LINK ]

In the following study, researchers isolate and characterize side population (SP) cells that are present in the A549 cancer cell line. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting, assays, and a chemoresistance analysis were used to isolate and differentiate SP and non-SP (NSP) cells. Results show that SP cells account for 1.09% of live A549 cells and produced both SP and NSP cells. SP cells also exhibited improved invasive ability and had higher levels of chemoresistance compared to NSP cells in vitro.  Therefore, SP cells isolated from the A549 cell line exhibited more tumorigenicity, along with invasive ability and chemoresistance, than NSP cells. [ LINK ]

Metadherin (MTDH) is a novel oncoprotein that promotes the survival and proliferation of lung cancer cells when over-expressed. In this study, researchers use staining assays and Western blotting analysis to investigate the anti-tumor effect of evodiamine in A549 cells, as well as its inhibitory effect on the MTDH pathway. Results show that evodiamine inhibits A549 cells by increasing the expression of proapoptotic protein Bax and therefore inducing apoptosis. Evodiamine consequently suppresses the proliferation of A549 cells through the inhibition of MTDH expression and induction of apoptosis. [ LINK ]

Having been studied extensively over the past few decades, A549 cells have become one of the major players in the lung carcinoma field. With numerous applications in cell signaling studies and cancer oncogene evaluations, A549 xenografts have become prime targets for transfection experiments and related research. The cells are set apart by their ability to synthesize lecithin and their internal environment; a high level of unsaturated fatty acids that contribute to the maintenance of membrane phospholipids in lung epithelial cells. The cell line has been used extensively as an in vitro  host capable of receiving nucleic acids and responding effectively in drug metabolism studies.

Altogen Biosystems is a well-known provider of transfection reagents and laboratory services world-wide for researchers in a variety of fields. Biology contract research services and products that are offered include assay development, reliable 28-day generation of stably-transfected cell lines, and _ laboratory services such as siRNA screening and ELISA assay development. For an A549 cell xenograftmodel , visit the Altogen Biosystems website.

The A549 cell line was established in 1972 by DJ Giad, et al. The original cells were derived from a cell culture of carcinomatous lung tissue of a 58 year old Caucasian male with lung cancer. Additional examination of the cells by M. Lieber, et. al. revealed the cells could synthesize lecithin with a higher percentage of denaturated fatty acid through the cytidine diphosphocholine pathway. The cells are  hypotriploid human cells with 24% containing a modal chromosome number of 66. Findings have frequently found that the cells have a chromosomal count of  64,65,or 67. Typically, these cells act as  in vitro  cell models for type II pulmonary epithelial cell research examining drug metabolism within the cell. Often the A549  cells are used for research studies on respiratory illnesses such as, viral induced asthma infections, lung tissue damage resulting from asbestos exposure and smoker-related emphysema.  The development of knockdown systems and gene therapy treatments is possible t