The Kelly cell line is a widely utilized human cell line in scientific research. It serves as an important tool for investigating various biological processes and disease mechanisms. This cell line provides a consistent and reproducible model for experiments, allowing researchers to explore complex cellular functions in a controlled environment.
Discovery and Background
The Kelly cell line was established in 1983 from a human neuroblastoma tumor. The cells were derived from a biopsy taken from a one-year-old female patient diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
The establishment of the Kelly cell line provided researchers with a stable and readily available source of neuroblastoma cells for investigations. Before its isolation, obtaining consistent samples for study was challenging. Its derivation from a patient’s tumor ensures it retains characteristics relevant to the human disease, offering a valuable model for understanding neuroblastoma.
Unique Features
The Kelly cell line possesses distinct biological and genetic characteristics. These cells exhibit neuronal morphology, meaning they resemble nerve cells, and grow adherently in a monolayer. Their doubling time, or the time it takes for the cell population to double, is approximately 24 to 30 hours.
A significant genetic feature of the Kelly cell line is the amplification of the MYCN proto-oncogene. This amplification leads to elevated levels of N-myc RNA and protein expression, a characteristic often associated with high-risk neuroblastoma. The cell line also displays a gain of chromosome 17q and expresses neuroblastoma-associated markers like GD2 and NB84.
Research Applications
The Kelly cell line is used for research applications. Scientists utilize it for drug screening, testing new therapeutic compounds against neuroblastoma cells, evaluating their response, and identifying potential drug resistance mechanisms.
Researchers also employ the Kelly cell line to study cell differentiation, observing how these cancerous cells can be induced to develop into more mature, neuron-like cells, often by exposing them to various agents or growth factors. The cell line is also used to investigate gene function, particularly the role of the MYCN oncogene in tumor development and progression. It also serves as a model for understanding neuroblastoma metastasis, as these cells show the capability to migrate and invade.
Impact on Understanding Neuroblastoma
The Kelly cell line has advanced the understanding of neuroblastoma’s biology and progression. Its consistent use has illuminated the molecular mechanisms underlying MYCN-driven tumorigenesis, a common genetic alteration in high-risk forms of the disease. Researchers have leveraged this cell line to explore how this gene amplification contributes to aggressive tumor behavior and poor patient outcomes.
Studies using Kelly cells have contributed to identifying therapeutic targets and pathways relevant to neuroblastoma. For instance, the cell line has been used to investigate the role of polysialic acid (PSA) in controlling tumor cell growth and differentiation. Research has also explored the inhibitory role of protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP1 in Ret oncogene activity, providing insights into oncogenic signaling pathways. This work helps in developing targeted therapeutic strategies to improve treatment outcomes for children with neuroblastoma.