KG-1 cells are commonly used in research as a model system for studying myeloid differentiation, leukemia biology, and the effects of various compounds on myeloid cell growth and differentiation. KG-1 cells have been particularly useful in investigations related to hematopoiesis, leukemia pathogenesis, and drug screening studies. Creative Biolabs develops a macrophage model based on KG-1 cells, which consists of culturing and inducing differentiation into macrophage-like cells.

Overview of KG-1 Cells

KG-1 cells are a human myeloblastic leukemia cell line derived from the peripheral blood of a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). KG-1 cells are characterized by their ability to differentiate into mature myeloid cells, including granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages, under appropriate culture conditions.

Key characteristics of KG-1 cells include their suspension growth in culture, relatively low proliferation rate, and responsiveness to differentiation-inducing agents such as phorbol esters (e.g., phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, PMA) and vitamin D3.

Upon treatment with specific inducers such as phorbol esters (e.g., PMA), vitamin D3, or GM-CSF, KG-1 cells can be differentiated into adherent macrophage-like cells. These induced macrophages exhibit morphological, phenotypic, and functional traits similar to primary human monocyte-derived macrophages, making them an excellent platform for basic immunology studies, drug screening, and immunotoxicology.

At Creative Biolabs, we provide a comprehensive KG-1-based macrophage model development service, tailored to support both fundamental research and applied pharmaceutical development.

KG-1-based Macrophage Model Development Service at Creative Biolabs

We are committed to advancing macrophage-related research by providing robust, customizable KG-1-based macrophage model development services tailored for experimental applications. Our customizable services include:

Table 1 Workflow of our service

With a proven track record in immune cell model development and personalized research services, Creative Biolabs offers comprehensive project support—from experimental design to data interpretation. Our team of immunology experts ensures that every KG-1 macrophage model is optimized for your research goals and assay requirements. The KG-1 macrophage model can be used in the following studies.

• Macrophage activation and polarization studies
• Inflammatory cytokine profiling and signaling pathway analysis
• Drug screening and immunotoxicity testing
• Host-pathogen interaction models
• Cancer immunology and tumor microenvironment exploration

Related Products

Following the successful development of the KG-1 basic macrophage model, we have further launched a range of macrophage-related products designed to meet the needs of different studies. These products include macrophage and multiple macrophage function assay kits, which enable users to quickly and accurately assess macrophage function.

Service Features

Standardized Human Cell Model System

KG-1 cells possess good monocyte-macrophage lineage differentiation potential. Compared with primary cells, this model has a stable source and well-defined culture conditions.

Flexible Induction Protocols

We can choose different inducers according to the research objectives, so as to achieve precise control of the direction and degree of KG-1 cell differentiation, and to meet diversified research needs.

Complete Functional Validation

We provide multi-dimensional functional validation services covering morphological observation, immunophenotyping, phagocytosis assessment, inflammatory factor secretion, etc., and we can also extend specific pathway or gene expression analysis according to customer needs.

Publications

To know whether IL-1β-hUCMSCs could induce macrophage polarization, the researchers co-cultured macrophages with IL-1β-hUCMSCs directly or indirectly. Flow cytometry data showed that the expression of iNOS was not statistically significantly different in KG-1 cells directly or indirectly co-cultured with IL-1β-hUCMSCs. However, the expression of CD163 in KG-1 cells significantly increased after direct and indirect co-culture with IL-1β-hUCMSCs. The results show that KG-1 cells co-cultured with IL-1β-hUCMSCs did not increase M1 macrophages polarization but increased M2 macrophages polarization.

Fig. 1 IL-1β-hUCMSCs polarize KG-1 into M2 macrophages.^1,2

Scientific Resources

Learn More Macrophage Biology

Download Macrophages Development

Learn More Monocyte-Macrophage Development Process

Learn More Macrophage-related Experimental Protocols

Q & A

Q: Can you customize the KG-1 macrophage model for my research needs? For example, knocking out a gene or expressing a reporter gene?

A: Yes, Creative Biolabs specializes in personalized macrophage models. We provide gene knockout/knock-in services, reporter system construction, specific pathway modulation and targeted differentiation optimization. We have a proven project management process with customized support from design, build, validation to delivery.

Q: What is the life cycle and maintainability of KG-1 macrophages? Is it suitable for long-term experiments?

A: KG-1 macrophages have a window of functional stability for a certain period of time after differentiation. It is not recommended to culture the differentiated cells for more than 7 days. For long-term experiments, it is recommended to differentiate multiple batches or use frozen reserve cells. If long-term homeostasis models are to be constructed, the addition of support factors or co-culture strategies to prolong survival and function can be discussed.

Q: Is it possible to co-culture KG-1 macrophages with other immune cells? For example, T cells, tumor cells, etc.?

A: Yes, we support the construction of many types of co-culture systems to meet the needs of complex immune environment simulation, e.g., KG-1 macrophage + tumor cells, KG-1 macrophage + T cells, KG-1 macrophage + B cells or DCs, etc. We can design the system according to your research goals and provide integrated analysis at the functional validation level.

Q: Can you provide GMP or GLP grade KG-1 macrophage services for subsequent pharmacology or toxicology experiments?

A: We can provide KG-1 macrophage model development services that comply with GMP analogs or GLP-compliant processes, depending on the grade requirements of your project. Our experienced quality compliance team will assist you in assessing and meeting compliance needs.

References

1. Zeng, Ying-Xuan, et al. "The effects of IL-1β stimulated human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on polarization and apoptosis of macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis." Scientific reports 13.1 (2023): 10612. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37741-6
2. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.