MHCC-97H Cells

The MHCC-97H cell line is a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model with a high metastatic potential. It was established from the MHCC97 parental line, derived from a male patient with HCC linked to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. MHCC-97H has been extensively utilized in studies focusing on cancer metastasis, particularly because it consistently demonstrates spontaneous lung metastases following orthotopic implantation in mouse models. This feature makes it a valuable resource for exploring the mechanisms of HCC progression and metastasis.

MHCC-97H cells exhibit an epithelial morphology and possess key genetic and molecular characteristics contributing to their aggressive metastatic behavior. The line is noted for its upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), which facilitate extracellular matrix degradation and promote invasive capabilities. Proteomic analyses have identified several differentially expressed proteins in MHCC-97H compared to its low-metastatic counterpart MHCC-97L, including elevated levels of pyruvate kinase M2 and S100 calcium-binding protein A4. These findings highlight their utility in studying the molecular pathways governing metastasis.

MHCC-97H is used in preclinical research for testing therapeutic strategies targeting metastasis. In vivo models involving this cell line allow researchers to investigate the efficacy of treatments aimed at mitigating metastatic spread, especially to the lungs. Additionally, MHCC-97H aids in the development of biomarkers for predicting HCC aggressiveness and in studying the tumor microenvironment’s role in metastasis. These applications underscore its critical importance in advancing our understanding of hepatocellular carcinoma biology.