WEHI-3 Cells

The WEHI-3 cell line is a murine leukemia cell line, specifically derived from the BALB/c strain. It was originally established from a spontaneous myelomonocytic leukemia found in a mouse. This cell line is extensively used as a model to study myeloid differentiation and the immune response, particularly the mechanisms underlying leukemia progression and the response of leukemic cells to various treatments. WEHI-3 cells are capable of producing interleukin-3 (IL-3) and are often used in research as a source of this cytokine. In laboratory settings, WEHI-3 cells have been employed to assess the differentiation potential of various compounds and the biological activities that modulate the hematopoietic system. These cells have proven instrumental in understanding how alterations in gene expression affect myeloid cells, serving as a critical tool in the development of therapeutic strategies against myeloid leukemias. The cell line is also used in vivo to establish murine models of disease through transplantation into susceptible mouse strains, enabling studies of tumor progression and the efficacy of anti-cancer agents.