The Hep G2 cell line was derived from the liver tissue of a 15-year-old Caucasian male with a well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. These cells secrete a variety of major plasma proteins, including albumin, α2-macroglobulin, α1-antitrypsin, transferrin, and plasminogen. They can be propagated successfully in large-scale cultivation systems. Importantly, Hepatitis B virus surface antigens have not been detected in this line. HepG2 cells also respond to stimulation with human growth hormone, making them a valuable model for liver function and metabolic studies.