Jurkat cells are a widely utilized human T lymphocyte cell line in biological research. These cells originated from the peripheral blood of a 14-year-old male diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in the mid-1970s. Scientists rely on Jurkat cells as a model system for various investigations.
What Are Jurkat Cells Used For
They are extensively employed as a model system to understand T-cell function and signaling pathways. Researchers utilize them to study how T-cells, a type of white blood cell, activate and respond to various stimuli, including the mechanisms of T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling.
The cell line also plays a significant role in cancer research. Scientists use Jurkat cells to investigate the susceptibility of cancer cells to different drugs and radiation therapies. They are also used in drug discovery and development to test the efficacy of new therapeutic compounds.
Jurkat cells are valuable in immunology research to understand immune responses and disorders. Their expression of the CD4 receptor, which HIV uses to enter host cells, makes them a model for studying HIV’s interactions with human T cells. They are also used to study cell death mechanisms and other cellular processes.
Key Characteristics of Jurkat Cells
Jurkat cells are distinguished by several features. They originated from acute T-cell leukemia, providing a consistent source of cells with specific cancerous properties. Unlike many other cell types, Jurkat cells grow in suspension, meaning they do not adhere to surfaces and float freely, often forming clumps.
These cells express certain T-cell markers, such as CD3, which is a T-cell receptor marker, and CD4. Their CD4 expression, a co-receptor for major histocompatibility complex class II, allows for their use in studies involving helper T cells. Jurkat cells are also characterized by a rapid growth rate, with a population doubling time of approximately 20.7 hours, and are relatively easy to culture using standard growth media like RPMI-1640 supplemented with fetal bovine serum.
As an immortalized cell line, Jurkat cells can divide indefinitely. This ensures a continuous supply of cells for repeated experiments, contributing to the reproducibility of research findings. The typical cell diameter for Jurkat E6.1 clones ranges from 10-16 μm, and they are generally spherical.
The Role of ATCC
The American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) is important in providing authenticated Jurkat cells to the scientific community. ATCC is a global non-profit bioresource center that collects, authenticates, and distributes cell lines and other biological materials. Obtaining Jurkat cells from a reputable source like ATCC (catalog number TIB-152) is important for ensuring research reproducibility and reliability.
ATCC implements rigorous quality control and authentication procedures for all its distributed cell lines. This includes identity verification through Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiling, which creates a unique DNA fingerprint for each human cell line, and testing for microbial contaminants like mycoplasma. These measures help ensure that researchers are working with the correct and uncontaminated cell line, preventing misidentification or cross-contamination. The standardization and authentication provided by ATCC are widely recognized and often required by scientific journals and funding agencies to uphold the integrity of research.