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A Complete Guide to HK-2 Cells: From Cell Characteristics to Kidney Disease Research Applications
What Is the HK-2 Cell Line?
The HK-2 cell line is a widely used human proximal tubule epithelial cell model for kidney research. Derived from normal adult human kidney proximal tubule cells and immortalized through HPV-16 E6/E7 gene transfection, HK-2 cells retain key characteristics of renal epithelial cells, making them valuable for studying kidney physiology, disease mechanisms, drug-induced nephrotoxicity, and gene function.
With extensive experience in cell culture and research applications, OriCell provides high-quality HK-2 cell lines and related culture solutions to support researchers in establishing reliable in vitro kidney models. In this article, we introduce HK-2 cell characteristics, culture considerations, common troubleshooting, and major research applications.
HK-2 Cell Line Overview
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | Human renal proximal tubule cell line |
| Abbreviation | HK-2 |
| Alternative names | Hk-2; HK2; Human Kidney-2 |
| OriCell cell catalog number | H4-0501 |
| Official OriCell cell name | HK-2 Human Renal Proximal Tubule Cell Line |
| OriCell medium catalog number | CMH4-0501, 500 mL; DMH4-0501, 200 mL |
| Official OriCell medium name | Complete Medium For HK-2 Cell Line |
| Cell morphology | Adherent growth; epithelial-like morphology |
| Culture conditions | D/F12 + 10% FBS, 37°C, 5% CO₂ |
| Doubling time | 48–72 h |
| Recommended split ratio | 1:3 to 1:4 |
Research Applications of HK-2 Cells
- Kidney disease model construction: HK-2 cells can be used to study the pathogenesis of kidney diseases such as acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Drug-induced nephrotoxicity screening: HK-2 cells are commonly used to evaluate the toxic effects of drugs, such as chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics, on renal tubular epithelial cells.
- Molecular mechanism studies: HK-2 cells can be used to investigate the roles of apoptosis, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and related processes in kidney diseases.
- Gene function studies: Gene editing technologies can be applied to study the functions of specific genes in renal tubular epithelial cells.
FAQ: Common Questions in HK-2 Cell Culture
Q1: What should I do if HK-2 cells appear to be missing or show very limited attachment after receipt?
A: During transportation, vibration or shaking may cause cells to detach. Detached cells remain suspended in the culture medium, which can make them difficult to focus under the microscope.
Recommended approach: Place the cells in the incubator and allow them to stand undisturbed for 2 h. Once the detached cells reattach, they should become visible under the microscope.
If only a small number of cells are still observed after this resting period, transfer all the medium from the culture flask into a centrifuge tube and centrifuge at 250 × g for 4 min. A cell pellet should be visible after centrifugation. Resuspend the pellet and seed it back into the original culture flask for continued culture.
Q2: What should be considered when preparing medium for HK-2 cell culture?
A: HK-2 cells are commonly cultured in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, and the serum should be added strictly according to the recommended ratio.
Complete Medium For HK-2 Cell Line, developed by the OriCell R&D team, contains a basal medium suitable for HK-2 cell line growth, OriCell standard-grade fetal bovine serum, and a complete set of nutrients required for cell culture.
Q3: What are the key points for HK-2 cell recovery after thawing?
A: Cell recovery should follow the principle of “slow freezing and rapid thawing.” After thawing, steps such as transferring the cell suspension, centrifugation, and resuspension should be performed gently. Avoid vigorous pipetting to prevent mechanical damage to the cells.
Q4: When should HK-2 cells be passaged?
A: HK-2 cells should be passaged when they reach 80%–90% confluence, meaning that the cells cover most of the bottom surface of the culture flask but have not yet become fully overlapped. Overgrowth may lead to contact inhibition, which can affect cell viability and morphology.
Q5: When should HK-2 cells be cryopreserved?
A: HK-2 cells should be cryopreserved when they are in the logarithmic growth phase and in good condition.
Q6: Can HK-2 cells be stored long-term at -80°C after cryopreservation?
A: No. Cells should not be stored long-term in a -80°C freezer. It is recommended that storage at -80°C should not exceed 48 h.
OriCell HK-2 Cell Product and Service Recommendations
1. OriCell HK-2 Cells and Supporting Reagents
Cyagen OriCell provides researchers with a stable and reliable supply of HK-2 Human Renal Proximal Tubule Cell Line (Cat. No. H4-0501) and related support. The cells have passed bacterial, fungal, mycoplasma, and endotoxin testing, as well as STR authentication. A range of culture reagents required for HK-2 cell culture can also be provided.
OriCell Featured Products
| Type | Product Name | Cat. No. | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Line | OriCell HK-2 Cell Line | H4-0501 | 1 × 10⁶ cells |
| Cell Culture Media | OriCell Complete Medium For HK-2 Cell Line | CMH4-0501 / DMH4-0501 | 500 mL / 200 mL |
| Cell Culture Media | OriCell DMEM/F12 Complete Medium | GMF9-0001 / GMF9-0002 | 500 mL / 200 mL |
| Serum | OriCell Standard-Grade Fetal Bovine Serum | FBSST-01033 | 500 mL, Uruguay source |
| Cryopreservation Reagent | OriCell Universal Serum-Based Non-Programmed Cryopreservation Medium | NCRC-10001 | 20 mL / 50 mL |
| Cryopreservation Reagent | OriCell Universal Protein-Free Non-Programmed Cryopreservation Medium | NCPF-10001 | 20 mL / 50 mL |
| Transfection Reagent | OriCell Easy Transfection Reagent | ETFR-10001 | 250 μL × 2 |
2. HK-2 Cell Gene Editing
Because HK-2 cells retain functional characteristics of proximal tubular epithelial cells, they are commonly used in laboratory studies related to kidney-associated gene expression and gene function. Supported by a mature and stable cell technology service platform, Cyagen can provide gene modification services for HK-2 cell lines, including gene knockout, point mutation, gene knock-in, overexpression, and knockdown, as well as routine functional and characteristic testing of cells.
