Adipocytes are fat cells that primarily compose adipose tissue; they are differentiated and become specialized in the synthesis and storage of fat. There are two types of adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), which are also known as white fat (composed of white fat cells) and brown fat (composed of brown fat cells), respectively.

Common adipocyte cell lines include 3T3-L1, HIB 1B, LS14, and TA1 cells.

Endothelial cells make up the lining of all blood vessels, and the lymphatic and circulatory systems. Endothelial cells are flat and form a single layer of endothelium to allow for the rapid and efficient exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide).

The most common primary cell lines derived from endothelial cells are the HUVEC cell lines, which are isolated from the umbilical cord.

Epidermal cells make up the epidermis, a single cell layer that comprises the outermost layer of the skin.

Common epidermal cell lines include H5-MNNG and REK cells.

Epithelial cells are derived from all three germ layers — ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm — and form closely packed tissue structures, characterized by a basal membrane that is anchored to a surface and a free apical surface. The shape of epithelial cells can be squamous (thin, flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), or columnar (column-shaped) depending upon the specific organ and microenvironment. For example, the surface of the body's skin (epidermis) has a stratified squamous epithelium. As much as 85% of all cancers are derived from epithelial cells, and are known as “carcinomas.” You will find epithelial cells defined by the terms epithelial, epithelioid, and epithelial-like.

• Common epithelial cell lines include CHO, FRTL-5, MM3MG, and NRK52E cells
• Common epithelial carcinoma cell lines include A549, C41, HeLa, Hep-2, Hep3b2, HepG2, MCF-7, MEL, and U373 cells

Fibroblasts are the most common cells of connective tissue in animals. Fibroblasts actively synthesize and secrete matrix proteins that provide the structural framework for many connective tissues. Fibroblasts in cell culture are characterized by their elongated, elliptical, or spindle-shaped appearance and typically do not form monolayer structures. They are often used to model wound healing as they play a critical role in this mechanism. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are commonly used in stem cell cultures to provide a structural framework by secreting the extracellular matrix and “feeding” the stem cells. Fibroblasts are often defined by the terms fibroblast-like and fibroblastoid.

• Common fibroblast cell lines include 293, 3T3, BHK, COS, L929, Ltk-, MEFs, NHDF-neo, NIH 3T3, SBAC, V79, and Vero cells
• Common fibroblast carcinoma cell lines include C127, D202CC, and LNCaP cells

Glial cells are supportive cells in the central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord. Unlike neurons, glial cells do not conduct electrical impulses. Instead, they surround neurons and provide support and insulation. However, glial cells are capable of extensive signaling in response to diverse stimuli. Glial cells are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system. Common glial cells include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and LN229 cells.

Human embryonic kidney cells, also referred to as HEK 293 or 293 cells, are a specific cell line originally derived from human embryonic kidney cells grown in tissue culture. HEK 293 cells are very easy to grow, transfect very readily, and are widely used in cell biology research.

Keratinocytes are the primary cells of the epidermis, making up approximately 95% of epidermal cells; they are specialized epidermal cells that synthesize keratin.

Common keratinocyte cell lines include NCTC 2544 and PM1–4 cells.

Mesenchymal cells are undifferentiated cells found in mesenchyme and are capable of differentiating into various specialized connective tissues.

Common mesenchymal cell lines include C3H10T1/2 cells.

Myoblasts are undifferentiated cells on the mesoderm of the vertebrate embryo that are precursors of muscle cells. Myoblasts differentiate into cells such as vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and myocardial cells.

Neuronal cells function as information processing and transfer cells in the nervous system.

Common neuronal cell lines include IMR-32 and SNKSH cells.

Squamous cells are thin, flat epithelial cells localized in most organs of the body. The term squamous is most commonly associated with cancer pathology, for example, squamous cell carcinoma, one of the more common forms of skin cancer, and squamous carcinoma of the lung.

Common squamous cell lines include KOSCC-11 and SCC-83-01-82 cells.

Stem cells are the human body's master cells and have the ability to differentiate into any one of the body's more than 200 cell types. All stem cells are unspecialized (undifferentiated) cells that characteristically are of the same family type (lineage). They retain the ability to divide throughout life and give rise to cells that can become highly specialized and take the place of cells that die or are lost. Stem cells can be categorized into embryonic and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst that can give rise to any of the three embryonic germ layers and, thus, can form any cell or tissue type of the body. Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found throughout the body that divide to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissues. Also known as somatic stem cells, they can be found in children, as well as in adults.

Common stem cell lines are human stem cell lines, such as hpSC-Hhom-4 cells, and mouse embryonic stem cell lines, such as IOUD2 cells.

Stromal cells are connective tissue cells of an organ found in the loose connective tissue. They are most often associated with the uterine mucosa and the ovary as well as the haematopoietic system.

Common stromal cell lines include PA6 and ST2 cells.

Trophoblasts comprise the outermost layer of cells of the blastocyst; this cell layer attaches the blastocyst to the uterine wall and becomes the placenta and the membranes that nourish and protect the developing organism.

Common trophoblast cell lines include AC1-M59 and ACH-3P cells.

B cells are a type of lymphocyte; B cells generate antibodies to form an immune response to foreign bodies (bacteria, toxins). You may also see the term “pre-B” cells — these are also B cells.

Common B-cell lines include Jeko-1, Raji, and Ramos cells.

Basophils are a type of leukocyte (white blood cell) with coarse bluish-black granules of uniform size within the cytoplasm and, typically, a bilobate (two-lobed) nucleus. Basophils are so named because their cytoplasmic granules stain with basic dyes. They normally constitute 0.5–3% of the peripheral blood leukocytes and they contain (and can release) histamine and serotonin. Basophils are also called basophilic leukocytes.

Common basophil cell lines include KU812-F and RBL-2H3 cells.

Erythrocytes are cells that contain hemoglobin and can carry oxygen throughout the body. They are also called red blood cells (RBCs). The reddish color is due to the hemoglobin. Erythrocytes are biconcave in shape, which increases the cell's surface area and facilitates the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This shape is maintained by a cytoskeleton composed of several proteins. Erythrocytes are very flexible and change shape when flowing through capillaries. Immature erythrocytes, called reticulocytes, normally account for 1–2% of red blood cells.

Common erythrocyte cell lines include HEL 92.1.7 and MEL cells.

Granulocytes are a type of white blood cell filled with microscopic granules. These granules are sac-like structures containing enzymes that digest microorganisms. Granulocytes are part of the innate immune system and have somewhat nonspecific, broad-based activities. They do not respond exclusively to specific antigens, as do B cells and T cells. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are all types of granulocytes. Their names come from the characteristic staining features of their granules.

Common granulocyte cell lines include HMC-1, Ku812, and RBL cells.

Hematopoietic cells are stem cells found in the bone marrow of adults that give rise to all blood cell types. They constantly renew blood by producing billions of new cells per day. Common hematopoietic cells include CD34+ cells, Langerhans cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Leukocytes are also known as white blood cells. They participate in the inflammatory and immune responses to protect the body against infection and to repair injuries to tissues. White blood cells are formed mainly in the bone marrow and, unlike red blood cells, have a nucleus. The major types of white blood cells are granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes. White blood cells are far less numerous in the blood than red blood cells, but their amount usually increases in response to infection and can be monitored as part of a clinical assessment.

Common leukocyte cell lines include BJAB, CML, Daudi, and HL-60 cells.

Lymphoblasts are often called blast cells; a lymphoblast is a dividing cell that gives rise to a mature lymphocyte in response to an antigenic stimulus. The lymphocyte usually develops by enlargement of a lymphoblast, active re-entry to the S phase of the cell cycle, mitogenesis, and elevated production of mRNA and ribosomes.

Common lymphoblast cell lines include MCL-5 and MOLT-4 cells.

Lymphocytes, also known as leukocytes, are small white blood cells that have a significant role in the body's immune system. There are two main types of lymphocytes: B cells, which generate antibodies to attack bacteria and toxins, and T cells, which attack body cells after they have been infected with viruses or have become cancerous. Lymphocytes are generated from lymphoblasts, also known as lymphocytoblasts. In cell culture lymphocytes appear as spherical cells, with a single nucleus and a granular exterior. They are approximately the same size as a red blood cell (7 µm). Cell surface staining is used to distinguish between B cells and T cells.

• Common lymphocyte or lymphoblast-derived cell lines include 517-17, B95-8, CEMx174, DT40, EL4, H9, J558L, Jurkat, JY, LCL, Ramos, SP2/0, and UC729-6 cells
• Common lymphocyte-derived cancer cell lines include BC-3, HCT116, and HL-60 cells

Macrophages are found in the alveoli of the lungs, and are characterized as round, granular mononuclear phagocytes (cells that engulf microorganisms and particulate matter in the bloodstream).

Common macrophage cell lines include J774 and RAW 264.7 cells.

Mast cells are found in connective tissue that contains numerous basophilic granules and release substances such as heparin and histamine in response to injury or inflammation of body tissues.

Common mast cell lines include HMC-1 and P815 cells.

Monocytes, a type of white blood cell, are precursors of macrophages.

Common monocyte cell lines include 416B, MOLM-14, and THP-1 cells.

Myelocytes are young cells of the granulocytic series, normally occurring in bone marrow, but not in circulating blood. Common myelocytes include dendritic cells (Langerhans cells and follicular dendritic cells), granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils), and mast cell precursors.

Myelomonocytes are abnormal leukocytes (white blood cells) which resemble both myelocytes and monocytes (immature cells that develop into different types of immune system cells). These cells occur in myelomonocytic leukemias.

Common myelomonocyte cell lines include THP-1 and U-937 cells.

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell, specifically, a form of granulocyte. Neutrophils are filled with neutrally-staining granules, which contain enzymes that help the cell kill and digest microorganisms it has engulfed by phagocytosis. The mature neutrophil has a segmented nucleus, while the immature neutrophil has a band-shaped nucleus. The neutrophil has a lifespan of approximately 3 days.

Common neutrophil-like cell lines include HL-60, NB-4, and THP-1 cells.

Reticuloendothelial cells make up the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The RES is part of the immune system, and is comprised of monocytes and macrophages that accumulate in the lymph nodes and spleen.

Common reticuloendothelial cell lines include Kupffer and THP-1 cells.

T cells are a type of lymphocyte; the T cell plays an integral role in the immune response by attacking the body's own cells when they have become infected with a foreign entity (virus, bacteria, cancer).

Common T-cell lines include Jurkat, MOLT-4, TG40, and U-937 cells.

Thymocytes are lymphocytes that are derived from the thymus and are the precursors of the T cells.

Common thymocyte cell lines include CD4+ and CD8+ cells.

Adenocarcinoma is a cancer derived from epithelial cells of the glandular tissue. Common adenocarcinomas develop in the breast and lung, but most frequently in the colon.

Common adenocarcinoma cell lines include A549, MCF-7, and TE-7 cells.

Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the lining (epithelial cells) or covering of an organ or gland.

Common carcinoma cell lines include HT29, MCF-7, and SW626 cells.

Embryonal carcinoma is a cancer derived from germ cells (sperm and egg cells). The most common form of embryonal carcinoma is testicular cancer.

A common embryonal carcinoma cell line is the F9 mouse cell line.

Erythroleukemia is a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer derived from myeloid cells or white blood cells.

Common erythroleukemia cell lines include GM979, HEL, and K5621 cells.

Fibrosarcoma is a cancer derived from fibroblasts.

Common fibrosarcoma cell lines include KHT, QT-35, and W7.2c cells.

Hepatoma is a cancer derived from hepatic cells of the liver.

Common hepatoma cell lines include FTO2B, HepG2, Huh-7, and SK-Hep1 cells.

Lymphoma is a cancer derived from lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).

Common lymphoma cell lines include A20, BC-3, CA46, HCT116, and ST-486 cells.

Lymphoblastoma is a cancer derived from lymphoblasts (immature lymphocytes).

Common lymphoblastoma cell lines include ESb and TCLB cells.

Leukemia is a cancer originating in the white blood cells or bone marrow.

Common leukemia cell lines include HL-60 and K562 cells.

Myeloma is a cancer originating in the plasma cells, which are immune system cells in the bone marrow.

Common myeloma cell lines include Karpas 707H, spEBr-5, and U266-B1 cells.

Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the nervous system that usually originates in the tissues of the adrenal gland, in the ganglia of the abdomen, or in the ganglia of the nervous system. It presents as solid tumors in the chest or around the spinal cord.

Common neuroblastoma cell lines include N1E-115, SH-SY5Y, SK-N-AS, SK-N-BE, SK-N-SH, and SMS-KAN cells.