Jurkat Cells












Key facts about Jurkat cells
Description | Jurkat cells, which originated from the peripheral blood of a 14-year-old with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), are a well-known human T lymphocyte cell line commonly used in cell biology studies, particularly in cancer research and immune system disorder investigations. These cells play a crucial role in understanding various cellular processes, including cell death mechanisms, autophagy activity, and cytoplasmic transcription factors. Jurkat cells are commonly used in HIV research due to their expression of the CD4 receptor on their cell membrane. The CD4 receptor is a primary receptor that HIV uses to enter host cells. Because Jurkat cells express this receptor, they can be infected by HIV, making them a useful model for studying HIV's interactions with human T cells, which are a major target of the virus in the human body. The utilization of Jurkat cells in HIV activation and the HIV infection life cycle studies has significantly contributed to understanding the virus's interactions with human cells and has been instrumental in identifying potential targets for antiretroviral therapies. Jurkat cells further play a pivotal role in biomedical research, particularly in the evaluation of cytotoxicity and cell viability assays. This makes them indispensable for testing the effectiveness of potential cancer therapies and agents that modulate the immune response. By employing Jurkat cells, scientists can meticulously analyze the effects of cytotoxic compounds on the integrity and function of the cell membrane, including aspects related to cell membrane permeability and their transport properties. Furthermore, the presence of mutations in the Lck gene within Jurkat cells, which leads to sustained activation of T-cells, provides a unique model for in-depth studies of T-cell activation and signaling pathways. This is essential for understanding the complex processes of lymphocyte activation, which encompasses the cell cycle, cellular growth, and differentiation. Such insights are crucial for developing strategies to modulate immune responses in various diseases. The creation of a specific Jurkat cell derivative, known as Jurkat E6.1, has significantly advanced our comprehension of cellular mechanisms. This derivative offers a refined tool for probing into the nuanced behaviors of cell membranes and the physiological responses of individual cells under experimental conditions. Through the use of Jurkat E6.1 cells, researchers have been able to shed light on fundamental cellular processes and their implications for health and disease. In summary, Jurkat cells serve as invaluable tools in a wide range of research areas, from cancer biology to HIV infection studies, offering insights into cell biology, immune system function, and potential therapeutic interventions. |
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Organism | Human |
Tissue | Blood |
Disease | T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia |
Metastatic site | Peripheral blood |
Applications | T-cell biology research, development of T-cell therapies, study of T-cell activation and signaling, drug efficacy testing (e.g., kinase inhibitors), cancer research focusing on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. |
Synonyms | JURKAT, JM, JM-Jurkat, Jurkat-FHCRC, Jurkat FHCRC, FHCRC-11, FHCRC subclone 11, FCCH1024 |
Features of the Jurkat cell line
Age | 14 years |
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Gender | Male |
Ethnicity | European |
Morphology | Lymphoblast |
Growth properties | Suspension |
Documentation
Citation | Jurkat (Cytion catalog number 302147) |
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Biosafety level | 1 |
NCBI_TaxID | 9606 |
CellosaurusAccession | CVCL_0065 |
Genetics
Antigen expression | Jurkat cells express T-cell receptor (TCR) and CD3 proteins. They also express CD4 and CD8 co-receptors, which aids in identifying them as helper or cytotoxic T cells. |
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Mutational profile | The Jurkat cell line has been reported to have genetic mutations primarily impacting three core pathways: TCR signaling, genome stability, and O-linked glycosylation. In TCR signaling, mutations in PTEN, INPP5D, CTLA4, and SYK disrupt normal cellular responses to T-cell receptor activation, potentially affecting proliferation and survival. Genome stability is compromised by mutations in TP53, BAX, and MSH2, leading to impaired DNA repair mechanisms and an increased susceptibility to tumorigenesis. Additionally, a mutation in C1GALT1C1 disrupts O-linked glycosylation processes, resulting in the expression of truncated O-glycans [1]. Additionally, the Jurkat cells have a point mutation in the Lck gene, which encodes a protein necessary for T-cell activation, causing T cells to be constitutively activated. References: 1. Gioia, L., Siddique, A., Head, S. R., Salomon, D. R., & Su, A. I. (2018). A genome-wide survey of mutations in the Jurkat cell line. BMC genomics, 19, 1-13. |
Karyotype | The Jurkat cell line is hypotetraploid with a flat modal karyotype of 46 chromosomes and 7.8% polyploidy. |
Handling
Culture Medium | RPMI 1640, w: 2.0 mM stable Glutamine, w: 2.0 g/L NaHCO3 (Cytion article number 820700a) |
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Supplements | Supplement the medium with 10% heat-inactivated FBS |
Doubling time | 26 hours |
Subculturing | Gently homogenize the cell suspension in the flask by pipetting up and down, then take a representative sample to determine the cell density per ml. Dilute the suspension to achieve a cell concentration of 1 x 10^5 cells/ml with fresh culture medium, and aliquot the adjusted suspension into new flasks for further cultivation. |
Split ratio | 1:2 to 1:5 |
Fluid renewal | 2 to 3 times per week |
Freeze medium | As a cryopreservation medium, use complete growth medium (including FBS) + 10% DMSO for adequate post-thaw viability, or CM-1 (Cytion catalog number 800100), which includes optimized osmoprotectants and metabolic stabilizers to enhance recovery and reduce cryo-induced stress. |
Thawing and Culturing Cells |
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Quality control of the Jurkat lymphocyte cell line
Sterility | Mycoplasma contamination is excluded using both PCR-based assays and luminescence-based mycoplasma detection methods. To ensure there is no bacterial, fungal, or yeast contamination, cell cultures are subjected to daily visual inspections. |
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Required products
Initially designed to support the growth of human leukemic cells in both suspension and monolayer cultures, RPMI 1640 Medium has evolved through modifications by researchers and commercial suppliers to become suitable for a diverse range of mammalian cells. It is exceptionally compatible with cell lines such as HeLa, Jurkat, MCF-7, PC12, PBMC, astrocytes, and carcinomas.
RPMI 1640 Medium stands apart from other cell culture media due to its unique composition. It contains a substantial amount of phosphate, amino acids, and vitamins. Notably, it encompasses biotin, vitamin B12, and PABA, absent in Eagle's Minimal Essential Medium or Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium. Moreover, RPMI 1640 Medium exhibits significantly elevated concentrations of vitamins inositol and choline. However, it does not contain proteins, lipids, or growth factors. Consequently, supplementation with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is commonly required to provide optimal conditions for cell growth.
The buffering system of RPMI 1640 Medium relies on sodium bicarbonate and necessitates a 5-10% CO2 environment to maintain a physiologically appropriate pH. The inclusion of the reducing agent glutathione further distinguishes this medium from others.
Quality Control
Sterile-filtered
Storage and Shelf Life
Store at +2°C to +8°C, protected from light.
Once opened, store at 4°C and use within 6–8 weeks.
Shipping Conditions
Ambient temperature
Maintenance
Keep refrigerated at +2°C to +8°C in the dark. Avoid freezing and frequent warming to +37°C, as it reduces product quality.
Do not heat the medium beyond 37°C or use uncontrolled heat sources such as microwave appliances.
If only part of the medium is to be used, remove the required amount and warm it to room temperature before use.
Composition
Category
Components
Concentration (mg/L)
Amino Acids
Glycine
10.00
L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine
434.40
L-Arginine
200.00
L-Asparagine H2O
56.82
L-Aspartic Acid
20.00
L-Cystine 2HCl
65.20
L-Glutamic Acid
20.00
L-Histidine HCl H2O
20.27
L-Hydroxy-L-Proline
20.00
L-Isoleucine
50.00
L-Leucine
50.00
L-Lysine HCl
40.00
L-Methionine
15.00
L-Phenylalanine
15.00
L-Proline
20.00
L-Serine
30.00
L-Threonine
20.00
L-Tryptophan
5.00
L-Tyrosine 2Na 2H2O
28.83
L-Valine
20.00
Vitamins
p-Amino Benzoic Acid
1.00
D-Biotin
0.20
Choline Chloride
3.00
D-Calcium Pantothenate
0.25
Folic Acid
1.00
myo-Inositol
35.00
Nicotinamide
1.00
Pyridoxine HCl
1.00
Riboflavin
0.20
Thiamine HCl
1.00
Vitamin B12
0.005
Inorganic Salts
Ca(NO3)2 4H2O
100.00
KCl
400.00
MgSO4 7H2O
100.00
NaCl
6000.00
NaHCO3
2000.00
Na2HPO4
800.00
Other Components
D-Glucose
2000.00
L-Glutathione Reduced
1.00
Phenol Red Sodium Salt
5.30
- A Gentle Alternative to Trypsin
Accutase is a cell detachment solution that is revolutionizing the cell culture industry. It is a mix of proteolytic and collagenolytic enzymes that mimics the action of trypsin and collagenase. Unlike trypsin, Accutase does not contain any mammalian or bacterial components and is much gentler on cells, making it an ideal solution for the routine detachment of cells from standard tissue culture plasticware and adhesion coated plasticware. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and uses of Accutase and how it is changing the game in cell culture.
Advantages of Accutase
Accutase has several advantages over traditional trypsin solutions. Firstly, it can be used whenever gentle and efficient detachment of any adherent cell line is needed, making it a direct replacement for trypsin. Secondly, Accutase works extremely well on embryonic and neuronal stem cells, and it has been shown to maintain the viability of these cells after passaging. Thirdly, Accutase preserves most epitopes for subsequent flow cytometry analysis, making it ideal for cell surface marker analysis.
Additionally, Accutase does not need to be neutralized when passaging adherent cells. The addition of more media after the cells are split dilutes Accutase so it is no longer able to detach cells. This eliminates the need for an inactivation step and saves time for cell culture technicians. Finally, Accutase does not need to be aliquoted, and a bottle is stable in the refrigerator for 2 months.
Applications of Accutase
Accutase is a direct replacement for trypsin solution and can be used for the passaging of cell lines. Additionally, Accutase performs well when detaching cells for the analysis of many cell surface markers using flow cytometry and for cell sorting. Other downstream applications of Accutase treatment include analysis of cell surface markers, virus growth assay, cell proliferation, tumor cell migration assays, routine cell passage, production scale-up (bioreactor), and flow cytometry.
Composition of Accutase
Accutase contains no mammalian or bacterial components and is a natural enzyme mixture with proteolytic and collagenolytic enzyme activity. It is formulated at a much lower concentration than trypsin and collagenase, making it less toxic and gentler, but just as effective.
Efficiency of Accutase
Accutase has been shown to be efficient in detaching primary and stem cells and maintaining high cell viability compared to animal origin enzymes such as trypsin. 100% of cells are recovered after 10 minutes, and there is no harm in leaving cells in Accutase for up to 45 minutes, thanks to autodigestion of Accutase.
In summary
In conclusion, Accutase is a powerful solution that is changing the game in cell culture. With its gentle nature, efficiency, and versatility, Accutase is the ideal alternative to trypsin. If you are looking for a reliable and efficient solution for cell detachment, Accutase is the solution for you.
Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) is a widely used buffer solution in biological and chemical research. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the pH balance and osmolarity during various experimental procedures, including tissue processing and cell culture. Our PBS solution is meticulously formulated with high-purity ingredients to ensure stability and reliability in every experiment. The osmolarity and ion concentrations of our PBS closely mimic those of the human body, making it isotonic and non-toxic to most cells.
Composition of Our PBS Solution
Our PBS solution is a pH-adjusted blend of ultrapure-grade phosphate buffers and saline solutions. At a 1X working concentration, it contains:
8000 mg/L Sodium chloride (NaCl)
200 mg/L Potassium chloride (KCl)
1150 mg/L Sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous (Na2HPO4)
200 mg/L Potassium phosphate monobasic anhydrous (KH2PO4)
This composition ensures an optimal pH and ionic balance, suitable for a wide range of biological applications.
Applications of Our PBS Solution
Our PBS solution is ideal for various applications in biological research. Its isotonic and non-toxic properties make it suitable for substance dilution and cell container rinsing. PBS solutions containing EDTA are effective for disengaging attached and clumped cells. However, divalent metals such as zinc should not be added to PBS, as this can cause precipitation. In such cases, Good's buffers are recommended. Additionally, our PBS solution is an acceptable alternative to viral transport medium for the transport and storage of RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
Quality Control
Sterile-filtered
Storage and Shelf Life
Store at +2°C to +25°C, protected from light.
Once opened, store at 2°C to 25°C and use within 24 months.
Shipping Conditions
Ambient temperature
Maintenance
Keep refrigerated at +2°C to +8°C in the dark. Avoid freezing and frequent warming to +37°C, as it reduces product quality.
Do not heat the medium beyond 37°C or use uncontrolled heat sources such as microwave appliances.
If only part of the medium is to be used, remove the required amount and warm it to room temperature before use.
Composition
Category
Components
Concentration (mg/L)
Salts
Potassium chloride
200
Potassium phosphate monobasic anhydrous
200
Sodium chloride
8000
Sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous
1150
Related products
Organism | Human |
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Tissue | The tissue of origin is peripheral blood |
Disease | Leukemia |
Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
Lot Number | Certificate Type | Date | Catalog Number |
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302147-060624 | Certificate of Analysis | 23. May. 2025 | 302147 |
302147-310323 | Certificate of Analysis | 23. May. 2025 | 302147 |
Material Transfer Agreement
If you intend to use Cytion cell lines solely for internal research at a single research site, please complete and sign our Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) and submit it along with your order.
For any commercial applications - including but not limited to fee-for-service work, quality control testing, product release, diagnostic use, or regulatory studies - please complete the Intended Use Form so we can prepare a suitable agreement tailored to your project.
Please note: The MTA applies only to certain cell lines. If this notice and the MTA document appear on a product page, the agreement is applicable. For cell lines not covered by the MTA, no reference to the agreement will be shown. The MTA is not valid for customers in the Americas, China, or Taiwan. Please contact our U.S. entity to receive the appropriate agreement.