CMT-93 Cells

The CMT93 cell line is a murine colorectal carcinoma model established from a chemically induced rectal tumor in a C57BL/ICRF mouse. The tumor originated following exposure to methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM acetate), a potent carcinogen. CMT93 was derived from the fourth in vivo transplant generation of the original tumor and cultured using selective trypsinization techniques to isolate epithelial populations while removing mesenchymal contaminants. Through repeated subculturing and purification, the resulting cell line exhibited a stable epithelial morphology and growth pattern.

In vitro, CMT93 cells grow in coherent epithelial clumps and exhibit hallmark features of differentiated intestinal epithelial cells. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of microvilli with glycoprotein strands, desmosomal junctions, and occasional acinus-like structures, suggesting partial retention of normal rectal epithelial architecture. These cells are highly adherent and grow to confluence in approximately 7 days following a 1:2 split. While predominantly epithelial, early passages included mixed populations, which were resolved through sequential selective subculturing. The line has been maintained for numerous passages and cryopreserved successfully for long-term use.

CMT93 is widely used in gastrointestinal cancer research, particularly in studies exploring colorectal carcinogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, immune responses, and microbial-host interactions. It is also featured in short tandem repeat (STR) profiling studies to support intraspecies authentication of mouse cell lines, confirming its unique identity and value as a validated model in preclinical research.