IM-9 Cells

IM-9 is a human lymphoblastoid cell line established in 1967 from the bone marrow of an adult woman diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Originally believed to be derived from myeloma cells, subsequent research, including findings published by Pellat-Deceunynk et al. in 1995, has indicated that IM-9 cells are more accurately classified as Epstein-Barr Virus-positive (EBV+) B-lymphoblastoid cells rather than malignant myeloma cells. This distinction is crucial for researchers using this cell line, as it affects the interpretation of experimental outcomes related to myeloma studies. IM-9 cells have been extensively characterized in the literature and are noted for synthesizing Immunoglobulin G (IgG). They are also known to express receptors for insulin and calcitonin, making them valuable for studying hormone-receptor interactions. Additionally, these cells express BCL2 mRNA, a gene involved in regulating apoptosis, which is often studied in the context of cancer and immune cell survival. Due to their high expression of insulin receptors, IM-9 cells are frequently used in research focused on insulin signaling and metabolic disorders, providing insights into insulin resistance mechanisms. The IM-9 cell line remains a significant resource for various research applications, particularly in the fields of immunology, cancer biology, and metabolic studies. However, given the revised understanding of their origin, it is critical to use IM-9 cells with the recognition that they are not representative of malignant myeloma cells. As always, these cells are intended exclusively for in vitro research and are not suitable for therapeutic or in vivo use.