HeLa cells represent a unique and enduring line of human cells that have profoundly shaped biomedical research. They are recognized as the first human cells capable of continuous growth and division in a laboratory setting. This characteristic has allowed scientists worldwide to conduct countless experiments, providing a consistent and readily available biological model for studying human health and disease.
What Makes HeLa Cells Unique
HeLa cells can divide indefinitely in a laboratory, a characteristic often called “immortality.” Unlike most human cells, HeLa cells bypass natural cellular aging. This is largely due to the active enzyme telomerase, which rebuilds protective caps on chromosome ends, preventing shortening with each division.
Their continuous growth provides a consistent and abundant supply for research. This rapid growth allows for efficient experimentation and reproducible results. As human cells, they are also suitable for investigating diseases and biological processes that affect human cells.
The Story of Henrietta Lacks
HeLa cells originated from Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman treated for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1951. During her treatment, a sample of her cancerous cells was taken without her knowledge or consent, a common practice at the time as no protocol existed for obtaining consent from tissue donors.
Henrietta Lacks passed away on October 4, 1951, at age 31, months after her diagnosis. However, the cells from her tumor continued to thrive and multiply in Dr. George Gey’s laboratory. This led to the accidental discovery of the first immortal human cell line, named HeLa after the first two letters of her first and last names.
How HeLa Cells Revolutionized Medicine
HeLa cells have contributed significantly to medical and scientific research over the past seven decades. Their ability to grow in large quantities enabled the development of the polio vaccine in the 1950s, as scientists cultivated the polio virus in these cells to study its infection mechanisms. This aided Jonas Salk’s vaccine research, which became available in the U.S. in 1955.
HeLa cells have also advanced cancer research, including identifying the link between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, leading to HPV vaccine development. They have been used to study HIV/AIDS, providing insights into viral infection and drug development. More recently, HeLa cells contributed to COVID-19 vaccine research, helping identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus receptor and aiding mRNA vaccine development.
HeLa cells also played a role in gene mapping and cloning studies. Early experiments in the 1960s fused HeLa cells with mouse cells to map genes to specific chromosomes, contributing to the Human Genome Project. Additionally, these cells have been sent into space to study the effects of zero gravity and radiation on human cells, providing insights for astronaut health.
HeLa Cells and Modern Ethics
The story of Henrietta Lacks and her cells led to ethical discussions and changes in biomedical research. Her cells were initially collected without consent, a practice now widely recognized as an ethical transgression despite being legal at the time. This lack of informed consent sparked dialogue about patient rights and control over biological material.
The Lacks family was not informed about the use of Henrietta’s cells for many years and received no financial compensation from the biotech industry. This highlighted issues of equity and recognition for tissue donors, especially for marginalized communities. The family’s advocacy influenced policy changes protecting patient privacy and ensuring informed consent.
In 2013, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reached an agreement with the Lacks family following public discourse and HeLa genome sequencing. This agreement requires NIH-funded scientists to obtain permission to use Henrietta Lacks’ genetic information, with a committee including Lacks family members reviewing requests. The case also influenced the Common Rule, U.S. federal regulations for human subjects research, leading to 2017 revisions emphasizing clear informed consent.