Calu-3 Transfection Reagent (Lung Carcinoma Cells, HTB-55)

Calu-3 is a tumorigenic cell line that was established from the lung tissue a 25-year-old Caucasian male with adenocarcinoma. The patient had been treated with Cytoxan, Bleomycin, and Adriamycin before the tissue sample was taken. Calu-3 has a hypotriploid stemline chromosome number and expresses antigens blood type A and Rh+. Calu-3 cells display an epithelial morphology and adherent cultural properties. The Calu-3 cell line can be used to study lung cancer by following in vivo  or  in vitro transfection methods, and Altogen Biosystems has a Calu-3 xenograft model  and a Calu-3 Transfection Reagent  commercially available.

In this study, researchers conducted side-by-side experiments to compare the structure and transport function of three lung epithelial cell lines, which include: Calu-3, normal human bronchial primary cells (NHBE), and NL-20. The three cell lines were cultured in air-liquid interface (ALI) culture conditions for 20 days. Results from various assays found that Calu-3 and NHBE cells exhibited lower paracellular permeability and higher TEER values compared to NL-20 cells. Calu-3 cells were found to form intact cell monolayers, whereas NHBE and NL-20 cells formed multilayers. Calu-3 also exhibited cytometric features for mimicking an in vivo  airway epithelium. These findings suggest that the monolayers formed in Calu-3 cells have the potential to be used as functional cell barriers for the transport of lung-targeted drugs. [ LINK ]

Calu-3 cells are characterized as a human bronchial cell line composed of serous cells of airway submucosal glands that are responsible for secreting electrolytes that facilitate airway hydration. This study analyzes the effect of epinephrine on Calu-3 electrolyte transport. Results found that epinephrine stimulated anion secretion through two different channels: cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and a Ca2+ activated Chlorine channel, in turn altering mucociliary clearance. Treating Calu-3 cells with epinephrine also resulted in increased cAMP and Ca2+. [ LINK ]