Raji Cell Line Profile
Quick Facts
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Cell Line | Raji |
| Species | Human (Homo sapiens) |
| Tissue of Origin | Burkitt Lymphoma |
| Disease Association | Burkitt Lymphoma |
| Cell Type | B Lymphocyte |
| Growth Mode | Suspension |
| Morphology | Round, lymphoblast-like |
| Recommended Medium | RPMI-1640 + 10% FBS |
| Incubation Conditions | 37°C, 5% CO₂, ≥95% humidity |
| Typical Doubling Time | Approximately 24-36 hours |
| Major Applications | B-cell Biology, Lymphoma Research, Immunotherapy, Epstein-Barr Virus Research |
Overview
Raji is one of the earliest and most widely used human B-cell lymphoma cell lines. Established from a patient with Burkitt lymphoma, it has become a cornerstone model for studying B-cell biology, lymphoma, antigen presentation, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cancer immunotherapy. Its expression of CD19 and CD20 also makes it one of the most commonly used target cell lines for CAR-T cell and antibody-based therapies.
Origin and History
- Established in 1963 from a patient with Burkitt lymphoma.
- One of the first continuously cultured human hematopoietic cell lines.
- Extensively used in immunology, virology, and lymphoma research.
Growth Characteristics
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Growth Mode | Suspension |
| Morphology | Round, lymphoblast-like |
| Growth Pattern | Single cells or small aggregates |
| Doubling Time | Approximately 24-36 hours |
Culture Notes
Raji cells grow in suspension and should be maintained within the recommended cell density range to preserve viability and consistent surface marker expression.
Biological Characteristics
B-Cell Phenotype
Raji cells retain many characteristics of mature B lymphocytes and express several important immune markers, including:
- CD19
- CD20
- CD21
- MHC Class II molecules
These features make them valuable for studies of B-cell activation, antigen presentation, and adaptive immune responses.
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
Raji cells harbor latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes and are widely used to investigate:
- Viral latency
- Viral oncogenesis
- Host-virus interactions
They remain one of the most important experimental models for EBV biology.
MYC Dysregulation
As a Burkitt lymphoma-derived cell line, Raji cells exhibit dysregulation of the MYC oncogene, which contributes to:
- Rapid proliferation
- Altered cellular metabolism
- Lymphoma progression
Immunotherapy Model
Expression of CD19 and CD20 makes Raji cells a standard target cell line for:
- CAR-T cell cytotoxicity assays
- Anti-CD20 antibody studies (e.g., Rituximab)
- B-cell-directed immunotherapies
Culture Conditions
Recommended Medium
- RPMI-1640
- 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)
Incubation Conditions
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 37°C |
| CO₂ | 5% |
| Relative Humidity | ≥95% |
Passaging
Maintain cultures within the recommended cell density by dilution into fresh medium. Avoid prolonged overgrowth, which may reduce viability and alter antigen expression.
Major Applications
Raji cells are widely used for:
- Burkitt lymphoma research
- B-cell biology
- Antigen presentation studies
- Epstein-Barr virus research
- CAR-T cell development
- Antibody-based immunotherapy
- Drug discovery
- Cancer immunology
Advantages
- Human-derived B-cell model
- Retains characteristic B-cell surface markers
- Naturally EBV-positive
- Excellent target for CAR-T and antibody therapies
- Easy suspension culture
- Extensive experimental literature
Limitations
- Derived from malignant B lymphocytes rather than normal B cells
- EBV positivity may influence experimental outcomes
- Represents only one subtype of B-cell lymphoma
- Lacks the complexity of the lymphoid tissue microenvironment
Authentication and Quality Control
Cell Line Authentication
Routine authentication using Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiling together with verification of B-cell marker expression is recommended.
Contamination Monitoring
Regular screening should include:
- Mycoplasma contamination
- Bacterial contamination
- Fungal contamination
Routine quality control is essential for reliable and reproducible experimental results.
Cryopreservation
Raji cells generally recover well following standard cryopreservation and thawing procedures. Maintaining authenticated low-passage frozen stocks is recommended for long-term studies.
References
- Freshney RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications.
- ATCC Cell Line Database.
- Cellosaurus Cell Line Knowledgebase.
- ECACC Cell Line Collection.