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hTERT-immortalized Cells

Green hTER renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.

A breakthrough in cell biology research

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)–immortalized primary cells represent a breakthrough in cell biology research that combines the in vivo nature of primary cells with the traditional cell line's ability to survive continuously in vitro. ATCC genetically modified human primary cells so they exhibit the growth characteristics of a continuous cell line with extended proliferative capacity yet maintain the physiology of a primary cell.

Browse our hTERT-immortalized cell lines


ATCC hTERT-immortalized primary cells include:

  • Adipocytes/Preadipocytes
  • Aortic endothelial cells
  • Barrett’s esophageal epithelial cells
  • Bronchial epithelial cells
  • Respiratory epithelial cells
  • Chrondrocyte fibroblast cells
  • Dermal microvascular endothelial cells (including TIME cells)
  • Endometrial fibroblast cells
  • Foreskin keratinocytes
  • Lung endothelial cells
  • Mammary epithelial cells
  • Mesenchymal stem cells
  • NTAP Schwann cells
  • Pancreas duct cells
  • Prostrate cells
  • Renal epithelial cells
  • Retinal pigmented epithelial cells
  • Skin fibroblast cells

We are offering 10% off select hTERT-immortalized cells.* Use promo code ATCC-000032 at checkout to take advantage of this special discount. This limited-time offer is only effective until the end of the year, so place your order before time runs out!

*This offer is effective until December 31, 2024. The 10% discount applies only to the following products: CRL-3290™, CRL-3397™, CRL-4000™, CRL-4001™, CRL-4005™, CRL-4031™, CRL-4037™, CRL-4051™, SCRC-4000™, SCRC-4001™; all other items are excluded from this promotion. For non-profit customers, the promotional discount is applied to the customer-specific pricing. The promo code must be applied at the time of checkout. The promo code must be applied in the “Promotional code” field in the shopping cart. Void where prohibited. Restrictions may apply.

hTERT-immortalized Primary Cells

Pink and green skin cancer cells.

hTERT-immortalized Primary Cells: You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

Understanding how skin is pigmented is critical to treating pathologies such as hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and mixed hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation. Read this poster to learn how hTERT-immortalized melanocytes are a robust model for studying melanocyte function by providing primary melanocyte functionality while exhibiting immortalized characteristics.

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Pink foreskin keratinocyte cells.

hTERT-immortalized and Primary Ker-CT Differentiate into Epidermal Structures

Human keratinocytes formed 3-D epidermal structures, rendering them an excellent and reproducible in vitro whole-cell model for the examination of mechanisms regulating keratinocyte biology in the processes of wound healing, dermal remodeling, cancer research, and drug toxicology evaluation in a tissue physiology-relevant context.

Read the application note

Watch the webinar

hTERT-immortalized Cells

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