A cell line is a population of cells derived from a multicellular organism, grown and maintained in a laboratory for extended periods. These cells provide a consistent model for scientific investigation. The AGS cell line is a significant example, widely employed in biomedical research to gain insights into biological processes and disease mechanisms.
Origin and Derivation of AGS Cells
The AGS cell line was established from human tissue in 1979, originating from a gastric adenocarcinoma, a type of stomach cancer. This specific cell line was derived from a tumor biopsy taken from a 54-year-old Caucasian female patient. The “AGS” acronym refers to “Adenocarcinoma, Gastric, Stomach,” reflecting its tissue and disease origin.
Cellular and Genetic Profile
AGS cells exhibit an epithelial-like morphology, meaning they resemble the cells that line the surfaces and cavities within the body. These cells are adherent, forming monolayers as they attach and spread across the surface of the culture flask. Their population doubling time typically ranges between 20 to 48 hours.
Genetically, AGS cells are characterized as hyperdiploid, meaning they possess more than the normal number of chromosomes. The modal chromosome number for AGS cells is 49, observed in approximately 60% of the cells. These cells also show a low rate of polyploidy, where cells contain multiple sets of chromosomes. The p53 gene, a tumor suppressor, can be altered in gastric cancer cell lines, and its regulation impacts AGS cell behavior.
Applications in Scientific Research
The AGS cell line serves as an important tool in various areas of scientific research due to its gastric origin and characteristics. It is frequently employed in studies focused on understanding gastric cancer. Researchers use AGS cells to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. The cell line also facilitates the evaluation of potential anti-cancer drugs, allowing scientists to test new therapeutic agents against gastric carcinomas.
A significant application of AGS cells is in research concerning Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known to cause ulcers and increase the risk of stomach cancer. AGS cells are a primary model for studying how H. pylori interacts with stomach cells, including the effects of bacterial factors like CagA on host cell signaling pathways such as MAPK/ERK and NF-κB. This includes observing morphological changes in AGS cells, such as cell elongation and scattering, known as the “hummingbird phenotype,” when infected with CagA-positive H. pylori strains.
Beyond cancer and infection studies, AGS cells are also utilized in general toxicology research. They provide a human gastric model for screening how various substances, environmental toxins, or natural compounds might affect human stomach cells. This helps assess potential harmful or beneficial effects of different agents on gastric health and cellular processes.
Laboratory Culture and Maintenance
Maintaining AGS cells in a laboratory requires specific conditions for healthy growth. They are grown in a liquid nutrient solution, or culture medium, such as Ham’s F-12K Medium, often supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Other media like RPMI 1640 or Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM) with FBS are also used.
Cells are cultured in an incubator at 37°C with a humidified atmosphere containing 5% carbon dioxide (CO2). As AGS cells are adherent, they grow attached to culture flask surfaces. When cells multiply and cover the flask, they are regularly “subcultured” or “split.” This involves detaching cells with an enzyme solution, diluting them, and transferring them to new flasks with fresh medium.