Immortalized Mouse Articular Chondrocytes (iMAC)

The Immortalized Mouse Articular Chondrocytes are hygromycin-resistant, non-tumorigenic reversibly immortalized cells that retains both morphological and chondrogenic features. Specifically, it expresses chondrocyte markers such as Col 2a1 (type II collagen), aggrecan, Sox9, TNFα, IL-6, and COX2. In the presence of BMP2 (abm Cat. No. Z100085), the cells are able to produce mature chondroid matrix. These cells are unique, as the immortalization process may be reversed by infection with Cre-recombinase expressing adenoviruses (abm Cat. No. 000018A), thus reverting immortal cells back into primary cells. These cells are a valuable tool in chondrogenesis molecular mechanism, and cartilage tissue regeneration studies to identify biofactors promoting proliferation and differentiation of chondrogenic progenitors.