HepG2 Cell Line: Origin, Identity and Culture Basics

HepG2 is an adherent, epithelial-like human liver cell line, catalogued by ATCC as HB-8065 and used as an in vitro liver model. A cell line is a population of cells that keeps dividing in culture and can be ordered, stored and shared under a fixed catalogue identity. The detail most guides skip: the line was sold for decades as a hepatocellular carcinoma line, and a 2009 study showed it derives from a hepatoblastoma.

Definition and scope: what a cell line is and what HepG2 is

What is a cell line? (cell line definition)

In plain terms, a cell line is a population of cells grown in the lab that can be passaged repeatedly, frozen, thawed and distributed, so that different laboratories can work with the same material. Repositories such as ATCC and ECACC assign each line a catalogue number and publish its identifying characteristics. That identity record is what lets two labs say they used the same cells.

What is HepG2?

Both ATCC (HB-8065) and ECACC (85011430) describe HepG2 as a human liver line from a 15-year-old male donor, growing as adherent, epithelial-like cells. ECACC lists it as perpetual and non-tumourigenic in nude mice, and notes that it secretes plasma proteins including albumin, transferrin, fibrinogen, alpha-2 macroglobulin, alpha-1 antitrypsin and plasminogen. ECACC describes its use as an in vitro model of polarised human hepatocytes. ATCC states there is no evidence of a Hepatitis B virus genome in this line, and ECACC reports no detectable HBsAg. ECACC and ATCC write the name as Hep G2; HepG2 is the same line.

Origin and the hepatoblastoma correction

The three major references do not label the line identically, which matters when you write a methods section or choose a liver model.

Source	How it classifies HepG2	Identifier
ATCC	Hepatocellular carcinoma (the product page also notes the line is referred to as a hepatoblastoma cell line)	HB-8065
ECACC	Hepatocellular carcinoma	85011430
Cellosaurus	Hepatoblastoma; flagged as a problematic (misclassified) cell line	CVCL_0027

The correction comes from Lopez-Terrada D, Cheung SW, Finegold MJ and Knowles BB, “Hep G2 is a hepatoblastoma-derived cell line,” Human Pathology 2009;40(10):1512-5 (PubMed 19751877). Cellosaurus records that the line was originally classed as hepatocellular carcinoma and that this study showed it derives from a hepatoblastoma. The practical consequence is that a paper calling HepG2 a “hepatocellular carcinoma model” may be repeating the older vendor label, while a catalogue page may still carry it.

How it is used and cultured in practice

ATCC specifies culture conditions for HB-8065. These are the vendor’s figures and should be read from the current product sheet before you plan an experiment:

• Medium: ATCC-formulated Eagle’s Minimum Essential Medium (30-2003) with 10% fetal bovine serum. ATCC notes it has grown the line only in EMEM and that other MEM-based media may give poor growth.
• Subculture ratio 1:4 to 1:6; seeding density 2.0×10⁴ to 6.0×10⁴ viable cells/cm²; medium renewed twice weekly.
• Atmosphere: 37°C, 95% air and 5% CO₂.

ATCC also reports that the line expresses insulin and IGF II, that an STR profile is provided and was verified by whole-genome sequencing, and that mycoplasma was not detected. For the wider picture of media choices see types of cell culture media.

Related cell lines and concepts

HepG2 is one entry in a family of widely catalogued lines. The site has separate guides on other lines, each with its own origin and handling details: K562, THP-1, U-2 OS and CT26. The comparison above is the useful cross-walk: each repository labels a line by its own record, so always cite the catalogue number alongside the name.

Where it matters for labs and supply decisions

A sourced receiving-and-reporting checklist, built only from what the repositories themselves publish for this line:

1. Record the catalogue identity. Name the repository and number (for example ATCC HB-8065 or ECACC 85011430), since both publish the identifying record for the line.
2. Match the STR profile. ATCC publishes an STR profile for HB-8065 (verified by whole-genome sequencing), and Cellosaurus notes STR profiles are available from ATCC and DSMZ; compare your stock against the profile for the catalogue number you purchased. See authentication of key resources.
3. Confirm mycoplasma status. ATCC reports none detected for its stock; your own working cultures still need testing, see mycoplasma testing methods.
4. Use the medium the repository specifies. ATCC states that other MEM-based media may give poor growth.
5. State the disease label with care. Cite the hepatoblastoma correction, or say which catalogue label you relied on.
6. Record viral status as the repository states it. ATCC reports no evidence of a Hepatitis B virus genome; ECACC reports no detectable HBsAg.

Common misunderstandings

• “HepG2 is a hepatocellular carcinoma line.” That is the label used by ATCC and ECACC; the 2009 study and Cellosaurus place it as hepatoblastoma-derived.
• “HepG2 carries Hepatitis B.” ATCC states there is no evidence of an HBV genome in this line.
• “All repositories describe it the same way.” As the table shows, they do not.

FAQ

What is a cell line?

A population of cells that can be grown, passaged, frozen and shared in culture under a catalogue identity, so that different laboratories can use the same material.

What is the definition of a cell line, and what are cell lines?

The term covers any such established culture, for example HepG2 or the other lines linked above. Each is identified by a repository record and an STR profile.

What is the HepG2 cell line used for?

ECACC describes it as an in vitro model of polarised human hepatocytes, and it secretes plasma proteins such as albumin and fibrinogen.

Which medium does HepG2 grow in?

ATCC specifies EMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum for HB-8065.

Sources

• ATCC, HepG2 (HB-8065), atcc.org/products/hb-8065, checked 2026-10-29.
• ECACC / UK Health Security Agency Culture Collections, Hep G2 (85011430), culturecollections.org.uk, checked 2026-10-29.
• Cellosaurus, Hep-G2 (CVCL_0027), cellosaurus.org/CVCL_0027, checked 2026-10-29.
• Lopez-Terrada D, et al. Hep G2 is a hepatoblastoma-derived cell line. Hum Pathol. 2009;40(10):1512-5. PubMed 19751877, checked 2026-10-29.