BV2 Cell Line
Repository ID: CL-MUS-002
Quick Facts
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Cell Line | BV2 |
| Species | Mouse (Mus musculus) |
| Tissue of Origin | Immortalized murine microglia |
| Cell Type | Microglia-like |
| Growth Mode | Adherent |
| Morphology | Small, amoeboid, macrophage-like |
| Typical Medium | DMEM + 10% FBS |
| Doubling Time | Approximately 18-30 hours |
| Main Use | Neuroinflammation and microglial biology |
Overview
BV2 is one of the most widely used immortalized microglial cell lines in neuroscience research. As a surrogate for primary microglia, BV2 cells provide a convenient and reproducible model for studying neuroinflammation, innate immune responses, cytokine production, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.
Because primary microglia are difficult to isolate and maintain, BV2 has become a standard experimental model for investigating interactions between the immune system and the central nervous system.
Origin
- Generated through immortalization of murine microglial cells.
- Developed as an alternative to primary microglial cultures.
- Retains many functional characteristics of activated microglia while allowing continuous propagation.
Unique Biology
BV2 cells model many of the innate immune functions performed by microglia within the central nervous system.
Upon stimulation, BV2 cells undergo activation characterized by:
- Production of inflammatory cytokines
- Increased phagocytic activity
- Morphological changes
- Altered immune gene expression
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the most commonly used activator of BV2 cells, although other inflammatory stimuli such as interferon-γ, amyloid-β, and α-synuclein are also widely employed depending on the experimental model.
While BV2 cells reproduce many aspects of microglial activation, they should not be considered fully equivalent to primary microglia.
Culture Considerations
Typical culture conditions include:
- DMEM
- 10% Fetal Bovine Serum
- 37°C
- 5% CO₂
BV2 cells grow as adherent cultures and are generally passaged at 70-80% confluency.
Because inflammatory responses are influenced by passage number, cell density, and activation protocol, maintaining consistent experimental conditions is essential for reproducible results.
Major Applications
BV2 cells are extensively used for:
- Neuroinflammation research
- Microglial activation studies
- Innate immune signaling
- Cytokine biology
- Phagocytosis assays
- Alzheimer's disease research
- Parkinson's disease research
- Stroke and ischemia models
- Neurotoxicity studies
- Drug screening
Strengths
- Widely established microglial model
- Easy to culture and maintain
- Highly reproducible
- Suitable for large-scale experiments
- Extensive neuroscience literature
- Useful for studying neuroimmune signaling
Limitations
- Mouse-derived rather than human
- Immortalized cell line that differs from primary microglia
- Simplified model lacking interactions with other CNS cell types
- Activation responses may differ from those observed in vivo
- Findings should be validated using primary microglia or animal models when appropriate
References
- Blasi E, Barluzzi R, Bocchini V, Mazzolla R, Bistoni F. Immortalization of Murine Microglial Cells by a v-raf/v-myc Carrying Retrovirus and Their Responses to Lipopolysaccharide. Journal of Neuroimmunology. 1990.
- Freshney RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications.
- ATCC Cell Line Database.
- Cellosaurus Cell Line Knowledge Resource.
- ECACC Cell Line Collection.