THP-1 cells

The THP-1 cell line, referred to as Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics-1, is a cell culture of human-derived leukemia monocytic cells that have been spontaneously immortalized. It has been utilized in numerous studies investigating various aspects of monocyte/macrophage cells, including their function, signaling pathways, mechanisms, and drug and nutrient transport [1]. In this article, we will introduce you to the basics of the THP-1 cell line. Specifically, we will cover:

1. General Information and Origin of the THP-1 Cell Line
2. Information on Culturing THP-1 Cells
3. Research Applications of the THP-1 Cell Line
4. Resources for the THP-1 Cell Line: Protocols, Videos, and More

1.      General Information and Origin of the THP-1 Cell Line

If you're starting to work with the THP-1 cell line, you'll want to know its basic information, such as its meaning, origin, size, and more, which we'll cover here.

1. What is the THP-1 cell line? The THP-1 cell line is a human monocytic leukemia cell line isolated from the peripheral blood of a 1-year-old patient with acute monocytic leukemia (M5 subtype) in 1980.
2. Morphology THP-1 cells have a round, large, and single-cell morphology.
3. Cell size The cells are relatively large and have a mean diameter of 21 µm and above.
4. Genome and ploidy THP-1 is a near-diploid cell line with a diploid (n=46) chromosome number by karyotype analysis.

THP-1 Vs U937

The THP-1 and U937 cell lines are both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) models. The primary difference between the two lies in their origin and maturation. THP-1 cells are obtained from the blood of an AML patient and are at a less mature stage, while U937 cells are at a more advanced stage and have tissue origin [2].

Three Benefits of Using THP-1 Cells

1. Fast growth rate
2. Ability to differentiate into dendritic and macrophage-like cells
3. Homogeneity of cell cultures

3d rendered medically accurate illustration of too many white blood cells due to leukemia

2.      Information on Culturing THP-1 Cells

Knowing the main points about a cell line can make culturing it an easy task. This section provides all the essential information for culturing and maintaining the THP-1 cell line. You'll learn about the doubling time of THP-1 cells, the media used for culturing, whether they're adherent or in suspension, and more.

THP-1 cells at high and low confluency

3.      Research Applications of the THP-1 Cell Line.

Before working with any cell line, you go through its research application and understand how to utilize these cells in your study. Here we have mentioned a few prominent research applications of the THP-1 cell line.

The THP-1 cell line is widely used in immunology research because it can differentiate into various immune cells. Here are some examples of studies that have utilized THP-1 cells:

• A 2018 study used THP-1 cells to derive macrophage cells and investigate inflammatory pathways and related mechanisms. The researchers found that a protein called apolipoprotein A-1 binding protein (AIBP) could halt inflammatory pathways by binding to apoA-1 and stabilizing ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) [3].
• Another study used THP-1 cells to develop monocyte-like cells and investigate the effects of the neuroprotectant docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on these cells in the context of Alzheimer's disease. The study explored potential mechanisms underlying the interaction of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein [4].
• THP-1 cell line-derived macrophages were utilized in another study to investigate the tumor-promoting potential of exosomes secreted by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells [5].

THP-1 cells in research

There is a multitude of studies on THP-1 cells. Here, we have listed a few relevant examples:

• Apolipoprotein A-1 binding protein inhibits inflammatory signaling pathways by binding to apolipoprotein A-1 in THP-1 macrophages: This study was published in the Circulation Journal in 2018. This research treated THP-1 cell line-derived macrophages with lipopolysaccharide to induce inflammatory pathways. The study proposed that Apolipoprotein A-1 binding protein prevents inflammatory cascades by binding to apolipoprotein A-1 protein.
• DHA attenuates Aβ-induced necroptosis through the RIPK1/RIPK3 signaling pathway in THP-1 monocytes: This research proposed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) inhibits necroptosis induced by amyloid beta protein in THP-1-derived monocytes in the context of Alzheimer's disease
• Tumor-promoting effects of pancreatic cancer cell exosomes on THP-1-derived macrophages: In this publication, Linton and colleagues observed the cancer-promoting effect of Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell-secreted exosomes on THP-1 cell line-originated macrophages.
• The effects of waste sorting in environmental microbiome, THP-1 cell viability and inflammatory responses: This study utilized macrophages derived from the THP-1 cell line and studied the effect of the microbiome present in the waste sorting industry on the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by these cells.
• Standardized protocols for differentiation of THP-1 cells to macrophages with distinct M (IFNγ+ LPS), M (IL-4) and M (IL-10) phenotypes: This study described protocols for inducing differentiation in THP-1 cells and developing macrophages with particular phenotypes.
• Pro-atherogenic proteoglycanase ADAMTS-1 is down-regulated by lauric acid through PI3K and JNK signaling pathways in THP-1 derived macrophages: This paper is published in Molecular biology reports in 2019. This study explored the therapeutic potential of lauric acid on THP-1-derived macrophages. The results showed that lauric acid stabilizes atherosclerosis plaque and inhibits thrombosis by modulating ADAMS-1 (Pro-atherogenic proteoglycanase) expression.

4.      Resources for the THP-1 Cell Line: Protocols, Videos, and More.

This section will cover all the available online resources on THP-1 cells. This will significantly help you learn culturing, differentiation, and transfection protocol.

4.1.        Cell culture protocols

These are a few resources explaining culturing and handling protocols for THP-1 cells.

• Culturing and differentiation protocol: This document contains detailed and comprehensive information about cell culture media, subculturing, freezing and thawing, and differentiation protocols of these cells.
• Subculturing THP-1 cells: This document comprises a subculturing protocol for THP-1 cells.

4.2.        Transfection protocols

• Transfection of THP-1 cells: This link is about transfecting THP-1 cells with plasmid DNA.
• This document describes a transfection protocol of THP-1 cells.

• Culture THP-1 cells: This video is about THP-1 cell line culturing.
• Transfection of THP-1 cell line: This video shows a protocol for highly efficient transfection of THP-1 cells.

We hope this article contains appropriate information about THP-1 cell culturing, differentiation, advantages, and research applications. If you plan to use this in vitro cell model of acute myeloid leukemia in your research, consider ordering from us.

References

1. Chanput, W., J.J. Mes, and H.J. Wichers, THP-1 cell line: an in vitro cell model for immune modulation approach. International immunopharmacology, 2014. 23(1): p. 37-45.
2. Chanput, W., V. Peters, and H. Wichers, THP-1 and U937 Cells. The Impact of Food Bioactives on Health: in vitro and ex vivo models, 2015: p. 147-159.
3. Zhang, M., et al., Apolipoprotein A-1 binding protein inhibits inflammatory signaling pathways by binding to apolipoprotein A-1 in THP-1 macrophages. Circulation Journal, 2018. 82(5): p. 1396-1404.
4. Yuan, S., et al., DHA attenuates Aβ-induced necroptosis through the RIPK1/RIPK3 signaling pathway in THP-1 monocytes. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2020. 126: p. 110102.
5. Linton, S.S., et al., Tumor-promoting effects of pancreatic cancer cell exosomes on THP-1-derived macrophages. PLoS One, 2018. 13(11): p. e0206759.