The L-929 cell line (also referred to as NCTC-clone 929) was derived in March 1948 by K.K. Sanford, W. R. Earle, and G. D. Likely (J. Nat. Cancer Inst. 9: 229, 1948) from the parental Strain L, which was established in 1940 by W. R. Earle (J. Nat. Cancer Inst. 4: 165, 1943). Strain L, one of the first cell strains to be established in continuous culture and one of the most widely studied cell strains, was derived from the normal subcutaneous areolar and adipose tissue of a 100-day-old male C3H/An mouse. Clone 929, the first cloned strain developed, was established from the 95th subculture generation of the parent strain.

Culture Medium
Minimum essential medium (Eagle), with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum.

Growth Characteristics
Cells seeded at a concentration of 6-8x10⁴ cells/cm² in the above culture medium will be 100% confluent in 5-7 days.

Morphology
Fibroblast-like.

Karyology
Chromosome Frequency Distribution 100 Cells: 2n = 40.

Species
Confirmed as mouse by mixed agglutination and hemagglutination.tests.

Common Utilization
Immunologic, radiation and toxicologic studies. Also used for in vitro cytotoxicity testing.