Among various cell sources, Human Erythroleukemia (HEL) cells represent a unique and underexplored hematopoietic lineage capable of differentiating into macrophage-like cells under proper induction. Creative Biolabs, dedicated to exploring the latest developments in the field of macrophages, has launched a HEL-based macrophage model development service.

Overview of HEL Cells

The HEL cell line originates from a patient with erythroleukemia and belongs to a class of human hematopoietic progenitor cells. Although traditionally employed in studies of erythroid differentiation, HEL cells have gained attention for their macrophage differentiation potential when stimulated under specific cytokine or chemical conditions.

Unlike monocyte-derived models that reflect late-stage myeloid commitment, HEL cells retain early progenitor characteristics, enabling the simulation of a broader spectrum of differentiation processes, including transitions toward macrophage-like phenotypes. Upon stimulation—typically with agents such as PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF or M-CSF)—HEL cells undergo morphological changes including adherence, cytoplasmic spreading, and upregulation of macrophage surface markers such as CD68, CD14, and CD11b.

Why Choose HEL Cells for Macrophage Modeling?

At Creative Biolabs, our HEL-based macrophage model is carefully optimized to preserve cell viability, achieve consistent phenotypes, and ensure functional macrophage-like behavior, making it a robust tool for high-content screening, drug testing, and basic immunological research.

HEL-based Macrophage Model Development Service at Creative Biolabs

Although HEL cells are primarily used to study erythrocyte differentiation and erythroleukemia, developing macrophage models from HEL cells is unconventional. However, based on in-depth research on macrophages and equipped with advanced technology platforms, Creative Biolabs provides services for the development of HEL-based macrophage models to explore the potential of HEL cells for macrophage differentiation.

We offer fully customized, end-to-end development of HEL-derived macrophage models tailored to your project.

• Consultation & Project Design: Define experimental goals, phenotypic requirements, and assay endpoints.
• Cell Line Sourcing & Banking: HEL cells sourced under strict QC; master and working banks available.
• Differentiation Optimization: Cytokine titration and temporal control to achieve desired macrophage state.
• Functional Validation: Phagocytosis (latex beads, opsonized RBCs), cytokine secretion profiles (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10), surface marker expression via FACS or immunocytochemistry.
• Data Reporting & Support: Comprehensive reports including protocols, raw data, and technical consultation.

Our platform induces macrophage-like phenotypes using a customized cytokine cocktail and culture environment.

This workflow allows us to deliver macrophage-like cells with high expression of phagocytic markers, morphological adherence, and functional phagocytosis, tailored to your specific research needs.

Our HEL-derived macrophage model is especially suitable for:

• Phagocytosis and erythrophagocytosis assays
• Drug screening for Leukemia & Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
• Pathogen-host interaction studies
• Macrophage activation & polarization research

Related Products

After completing the development of macrophage models, our services not only support basic research, but also lay the foundation for subsequent product development. The macrophage products we offer include customized macrophage cell lines and other research reagents. These products have been rigorously validated to help researchers more effectively analyze data and validate results in their experiments.

Service Features

Publications

To appraise the overall effect of TMEA on promoting megakaryocyte differentiation, the researchers randomly selected 3 fields viewed under an ordinary microscope to count the megakaryocyte-like cells. As shown, obvious megakaryocyte-like cells were observed. On the 8th and 12th days, the cells treated with TMEA manifested statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) in terms cytomorphology compared to the control cells.

Fig. 1 TMEA-induced HEL cell differentiation.^1,2

Scientific Resources

Q & A

Q: What types of functional studies can this model be used for? What disease areas is it suitable for?

A: The HEL-derived macrophage model has a highly plastic and human background and is suitable for the following research applications:

• Inflammation mechanism research
• Drug screening and toxicity evaluation
• Cytokine signaling pathway analysis
• Autophagy and phagocytosis function assay
• Blood disease simulation

It is especially suitable for the research directions of tumor immunity, chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases and hematopoietic system diseases.

Q: Is there support for using the HEL model in conjunction with other cellular models, e.g. to construct co-culture systems?

A: Absolutely. We provide one-stop support services to help customers build a variety of complex in vitro simulation systems, including macrophage-tumor cell co-culture systems, immune cell interaction models, macrophage-endothelial cell interaction models, etc. We can also provide Transwell systems or 3D sphere co-culture models. These models are widely used in the study of tumor microenvironment, drug delivery targeting, immune tolerance mechanism, etc., which greatly enhance the physiological relevance of the in vitro system.

Q: Is it possible to carry out induction and quantification of inflammatory factors based on the HEL macrophage model?

A: Yes, we can accurately simulate immune factor expression response under inflammatory stimuli based on HEL-derived macrophage model and provide multi-platform assays. We also support customers to specify stimuli and develop assay time points on demand to ensure that the data are well targeted and can be used for pharmacodynamic evaluation or mechanistic studies.

Q: How will the service be delivered upon completion? Are full experiment reports and follow-up support available?

A: We provide comprehensive, customized delivery content to ensure that clients not only obtain experimental data, but also understand the key aspects of model construction and interpretation of results. Typical deliverables include:

• Detailed records of the induction process
• Phenotypic validation report
• Functional validation data
• Experiment summary report
• Raw data files
• Follow-up technical consulting support

References

1. Li, Hong, et al. "TMEA, a polyphenol in Sanguisorba officinalis, promotes thrombocytopoiesis by upregulating PI3K/Akt signaling." Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 9 (2021): 708331. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.708331
2. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.