The Immortalized Mouse Embryonic Epicardial Cells (MEC1) are derived from ventricular tissue from E13.5 wild-type hearts from ICR/CD1 strain mice embryos. These cells are spontaneously immortalized and do not express any myocardial or endothelial cell lineages. MEC1 cells have the same morphology as early primary epicardial cells and express epicardium-specific markers such as epicardin(Tcf21), Tbx18 and keratin 18. MEC1 has been helpful in demonstrating the important role of IGF in supporting cardiomyocyte proliferation during the formation of the compact zone and contributing to the establishment of coronary circulation. In addition, the physiological features of MEC1 make it a useful tool for answering many questions regarding cardiac developmental biology.
Immortalization Method: Spontaneous
BioSafety Level: II
Species: Mouse
Source Organ: Heart
Growth Properties: Adherent
Morphology: Cobblestone
Population Doubling: N/A
Seeding Density: N/A
Markers: Epicardin (Tcf21), Tbx18, and keratin 18
Donor Age: N/A
Donor Gender: N/A
Donor Ethnicity: N/A
Propagation: The base medium for this cell line is Prigrow III medium, available at abm, Cat. No. TM003. To make the complete growth medium, add the following components to the base medium: fetal bovine serum (TM999)* to a final concentration of 15% and Penicillin/Streptomycin Solution (G255) to a final concentration of 1%. Cells must be grown on gelatin coated plates. Gelatin Coating Solution (0.1%) is available at abm, Cat. No. (TM063). Change media every 2-3 days.
* Do not use heat-inactivated FBS for cell culture unless specified otherwise.
Quality Control: 1) Immunofluorescence; 2) Western blot; 3) qRT-PCR
Shipping Condition: Dry Ice
Storage Condition: liquid nitrogen or -180°C