Human Embryonic Kidney 293 (HEK293) cells are a widely used cell line in biological research and biotechnology. They serve as a versatile platform for scientific investigations and the production of biological products. Their value in laboratories stems from specific characteristics.
Origin and Development
HEK293 cells originated in the early 1970s in the Netherlands, developed by Alex van der Eb’s laboratory, with Frank Graham performing the key transformation. The “HEK” stands for Human Embryonic Kidney, indicating their derivation from embryonic kidney tissue. The “293” refers to Graham’s 293rd experiment, where he established this cell line.
The original human embryonic kidney cells were transformed by introducing DNA from adenovirus type 5 (Ad5). This viral DNA integrated into human chromosome 19, immortalizing the cells, allowing them to divide indefinitely in a laboratory setting. While initially derived from kidney tissue, some research suggests a neuronal origin, possibly due to the adenovirus’s preferential transformation of neuronal lineage cells. The HEK293 cells used today are laboratory-grown cell lines, many generations removed from the initial tissue.
Widespread Applications in Research
HEK293 cells are extensively used across scientific disciplines due to their adaptability and efficiency. They are a primary tool in vaccine development and production. For instance, these cells generate viral vectors, such as adenoviruses, which are used to deliver genetic material for vaccines, including some COVID-19 vaccines. Their ability to grow in suspension cultures makes them suitable for large-scale manufacturing processes.
Beyond vaccines, HEK293 cells are used in gene therapy research. They serve as “production factories” for various viral vectors, including lentiviral and adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, designed to deliver therapeutic genes to target cells to treat genetic disorders. These cells enable the propagation of modified viruses that can carry new genes into human cells.
Additionally, HEK293 cells play a significant role in producing recombinant proteins. Scientists use them to create large quantities of proteins for research, drug testing, and therapeutic applications. Their human origin ensures that the proteins produced have modifications similar to those found naturally in the human body, which is important for their function and effectiveness. They are also used in cancer research, studying signal transduction, and investigating protein interactions.
Why Scientists Utilize Them
Scientists choose HEK293 cells for their research due to several advantageous characteristics. These cells exhibit robust growth, proliferating rapidly and being easily maintained in laboratory cultures. Their fast growth rate, with a doubling time around 30-36 hours, enables quick experimental results and scalability.
A primary advantage is their high transfection efficiency, meaning they readily take up foreign DNA. This allows researchers to introduce specific genes into the cells and study the resulting protein expression or cellular responses with high reliability. The ease of genetic modification makes them a versatile platform for exploring gene function and producing desired proteins.
HEK293 cells are also adept at producing large amounts of proteins. Their human origin ensures these proteins undergo human-like post-translational modifications, necessary for proper protein structure and biological activity. This makes them particularly suitable for developing biopharmaceuticals. They can be grown in various formats, including suspension cultures, which facilitates large-scale production.
Addressing Common Inquiries
A common concern relates to HEK293 cells’ origin from embryonic tissue. The HEK293 cells used in research today are immortalized cell lines, laboratory-grown and have been dividing for decades. They are not directly derived from new embryonic tissue for each experiment or production batch. The original cells were obtained in the 1970s, and all current HEK293 cell lines are descendants of that initial culture.
Another question pertains to the presence of these cells in final products like vaccines or medications. Products manufactured using HEK293 cells, such as vaccines, undergo extensive purification processes. These processes ensure the final product contains only the active ingredient, such as viral proteins or genetic material, and is free of any HEK293 cells or cellular debris. Rigorous testing and purification steps are standard in the biopharmaceutical industry to ensure product safety and purity.
The cells are solely used as a factory to produce the desired biological components, which are then harvested and purified. The products themselves do not contain HEK293 cells.