U87-MG Cell Line
Repository ID: CL-HUM-004
Quick Facts
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Cell Line | U87-MG (commonly referred to as U87) |
| Species | Human (Homo sapiens) |
| Tissue of Origin | Glioblastoma |
| Disease Association | Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) |
| Cell Type | Glial-like tumor cell |
| Growth Mode | Adherent |
| Morphology | Polygonal to astrocyte-like |
| Typical Medium | DMEM + 10% FBS |
| Doubling Time | Approximately 30-40 hours |
| Main Use | Glioblastoma and brain tumor research |
Overview
U87-MG is one of the most widely used human glioblastoma cell lines in neuro-oncology research. It provides a robust and reproducible model for investigating glioblastoma biology, tumor progression, therapeutic responses, and mechanisms of invasion.
Because primary glioblastoma cultures are difficult to establish and maintain, U87-MG has become a standard in vitro model for brain tumor research.
Origin
- Established from a human glioblastoma.
- One of the earliest and most extensively studied glioma cell lines.
- Widely used for experimental models of brain tumor biology.
Note: The commonly used U87-MG cell line distributed by ATCC has a complex history regarding its original provenance. Despite this, it remains one of the most extensively characterized glioblastoma models in biomedical research.
Unique Biology
U87-MG cells exhibit many characteristics associated with high-grade glioblastoma, including:
- Rapid proliferation
- Invasive behavior
- High migratory capacity
- Adaptation to hypoxic environments
- Aberrant oncogenic signaling
Although they express several glial markers, U87-MG cells are malignant tumor cells and should not be considered representative of normal astrocytes or healthy brain tissue.
Their reproducible growth and invasive phenotype make them particularly useful for studying tumor progression and evaluating potential anti-cancer therapies.
Culture Considerations
Typical culture conditions include:
- DMEM
- 10% Fetal Bovine Serum
- 37°C
- 5% CO₂
Cells grow as adherent monolayers and are generally passaged at 70-90% confluency.
Because migration and invasion assays are highly sensitive to cell density, maintaining consistent seeding density and passage number is essential for reproducible experiments.
Major Applications
U87-MG cells are extensively used for:
- Glioblastoma biology
- Brain tumor research
- Drug discovery
- Migration and invasion assays
- Hypoxia research
- Angiogenesis studies
- Tumor metabolism
- Cancer signaling
- Gene expression studies
Strengths
- Human-derived glioblastoma model
- Easy to culture and maintain
- Highly reproducible
- Extensive scientific literature
- Well suited for migration and invasion studies
- Widely used in neuro-oncology research
Limitations
- Derived from a malignant brain tumor
- Does not represent normal astrocyte biology
- Long-term culture has altered the original tumor phenotype
- Does not capture the full heterogeneity of patient glioblastomas
- Lacks the complex tumor microenvironment present in vivo
References
- Allen M, Bjerke M, Edlund H, Nelander S, Westermark B. Origin of the U87MG Glioma Cell Line: Good News and Bad News. Science Translational Medicine. 2016.
- Freshney RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications.
- ATCC Cell Line Database.
- Cellosaurus Cell Line Knowledge Resource.
- ECACC Cell Line Collection.