HuH-6 cells, short for Human Hepatoma 6 cells, are a permanent cell line established from hepatoma tissue obtained from a 57-year-old Japanese male in 1982.
These cells have become a valuable tool in biological research, providing a convenient substitute for primary hepatocytes.
The primary application of HuH-6 cells lies in studying hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and hepatoma. Researchers often use these cells as a cell culture model to investigate the mechanisms of HCV infection and explore potential treatments for hepatoma.
One crucial area of study involving HuH-6 cells is understanding drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. These cells are commonly used to assess the potential for drug-drug interactions (DDIs) by analyzing the gene expression of various CYP450 enzymes.
Regulatory agencies require an evaluation of DDI potential in hepatocytes for specific enzymes like CYP3A4, CYP1A2, and CYP2B6. HuH-6 cells, known as Cryopreserved Human Hepatocytes, Induction qualified (HUCPI), have been characterized to exhibit enzyme induction levels recommended by the FDA for evaluating DDIs.
Another significant application of HuH-6 cells is the study of transporter-mediated efflux inhibition. Plating the hepatocytes onto collagen and overlaying them with a basement membrane extract allows the formation of polarized cell surface structures and the re-expression of bile efflux transporters.
This enables researchers to investigate the effects of drug inhibition on bile efflux transport, which can range from drug-drug interactions to liver toxicity caused by the accumulation of intracellular bile acids. Hepatocytes pre-characterized for transporter function are well-suited for these studies.
Additionally, HuH-6 cells play a crucial role in the pharmaceutical discovery of drugs with a slower metabolism.
By measuring the basic metabolic properties of drugs that are metabolized at a slower rate, researchers can develop medications that remain effective for more extended periods. Plated hepatocytes, like HuH-6 cells, maintain their metabolic activity for an extended duration, making them ideal for assays lasting four hours or longer. Hepatocytes prequalified for low clearance are especially valuable for these studies, although Induction or Transporter qualified hepatocytes (HUCPI) can also be used.
HuH-6 cells are a valuable cell line derived from hepatoma tissue.
They are commonly used in biological research to study hepatitis C virus infection, hepatoma, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, transporter-mediated efflux inhibition, and the discovery of drugs with a slower metabolism. These cells provide researchers with a convenient and reliable model to investigate various aspects of liver-related biology and drug development. |
