Cell Specification
Renal epithelial cells (REpiC) play a crucial role in renal function. Similar to most other epithelial cells, renal epithelial cells display a polarized morphology which is essential for their function. They reabsorb nearly all of the glucose and amino acids in the glomerular filtrate, while allowing other substances of no nutritional value to be excreted in the urine. Human REpiC are capable of internalizing bacteria [1]. They are also a major site of injury in a variety of congenital, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. REpiC can produce inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines and actively participate in acute inflammatory processes by affecting and directing leukocyte chemotaxis via the production of IL-8 [2]. REpiC express IL-2R alpha and MHC class II antigens during inflammation indicating their capacity to participate in the pathogenesis of immune renal injury [3]. To be able to study the relationship between renal epithelial cells and a variety of renal diseases, the HREpiC culture provides a useful in vitro model.

HREpiC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human kidney. HREpiC are cryopreserved at passage two and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. HREpiC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to cytokeratin-18, -19 and vimentin. HREpiC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, Myoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HREpiC are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings in the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Epithelial Cell Medium (EpiCM, Cat. No. 4101) for expanding HREpiC in vitro.

Product Use
HREpiC are for research use only. It is not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage
Directly and immediately transfer cells from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture is needed for experiments.

Shipping
Dry ice.

Reference
[1]. Palmer, L. M., Reilly, T. J., Utsalo, S. J. and Donnenberg, M. S. (1997) Internalization of Escherichia coli by human renal epithelial cells is associated with tyrosine phosphorylation of specific host cell proteins. Infect Immun. 65 (7): 2570-2575.
[2]Schmouder, R. L., Strieter, R. M., Wiggins, R. C., Chensue, S. W. and Kunkel, S. L. (1992 ) In vitro and in vivo interleukin-8 production in human renal cortical epithelia. Kidney Int 41(1):191-8.
[3] Wuthrich, R. P., Glimcher, L. H., Yui, M. A., Jevnikar, A. M., Dumas, S. E. and Kelley, V. E. (1990) MHC class II, antigen presentation and tumor necrosis factor in renal tubular epithelial cells. Kidney Int 37(2):783-92.