Answer the question below A 3T3L1 fibroblasts What are they

Answer the question below: A) 3T3-L1 fibroblasts: What are they? What must you do to get them to differentiate? What are signs that they have differentiated? (http://www.atcc.org/)

Solution

3T3-L1 fibroblasts: What are they?

The 3T3 cell line is the standard fibroblast, cell line which are the most common cells in connective tissue cell line. These cells are not contact inhibited. 3T3 L1 is a continuous strain of 3T3 developed through clonal isolation. These cells can be induced to become adipose-like cells.

What must you do to get them to differentiate?

To induce 3T3-L1 cells to differentiate into adipocyte-like cells, they have to be treated with

What are signs that they have differentiated?

Differentiation in adipocyte cells is marked by accumulation of lipid. Oil Red O staining can be used to visualize lipid in both 3T3-L1 cells and adipocyte-like cells. Further deposition of Leptin a hormone that is primarily secreted by adipocytes hence a marker can be found by examination of the cell lysates.