A-172 (A172 or A-172 MG) is a significant cell line used in neuroscience research. It originates from the brain tissue of a 53-year-old male with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. These cells adhere and spread on the surface of culture dishes, with a karyotype of n = 80 (80 chromosomes). A-172 cells are hypertriploid, exhibiting over 20 marker chromosomes. They have been shown to be non-tumorigenic in anti-thymocyte serum treated NIH Swiss mice. A-172 cells have a gene expression profile that highlights their mesenchymal lineage and involvement in angiogenesis. They express genes related to mesenchymal markers (CD90, CD105, fibroblast activation protein, tenascin C) and angiogenesis inducers (VEGF, FGF2 (b), TGFb1, thrombospondin-1). Comparisons with the T98G cell line reveal differences in morphology and surface marker expression. Both cell lines show high expression of a2 smooth muscle actin. Changing the fetal serum concentration in the culture medium affects the proportion of cells expressing specific surface antigens, such as CD73 and CD105. A-172 and T98G cell lines accurately represent glioblastomas, providing valuable tools for studying this brain tumor. Their gene expression profiles and morphological features allow for investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying glioblastoma development and progression. Researchers can utilize A-172 cells to gain insights into glioblastoma biology and potentially identify new therapeutic targets for this devastating disease.
