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Show all categories MRC-5 Cell Line: Human Fetal Lung Fibroblasts in Viral Research Back

MRC-5 Cell Line: Human Fetal Lung Fibroblasts in Viral Research

MRC-5 cells are a human diploid cell line extensively utilized in the production of viral vaccines, including those for hepatitis A, polio, and rabies, as well as for research purposes in the biomedical field. They are an indispensable tool for the study of viral infections and diseases and have significant applications in drug screening and efficacy testing. This comprehensive article will provide essential details about the MRC-5 human diploid cell line to facilitate your research.

General Characteristics and Origin of MRC-5 Cells

Understanding the origin and general characteristics of a cell line is crucial when considering its applicability to research. This section delves into the fibroblastic features and derivation of MRC-5 cells. You will learn about:

  • Origin: These primary cells were developed in 1966 by J.P. Jacobs from the lung tissue of a 14-week-old Caucasian male fetus, not 1996 as previously stated.
  • MRC-5 Cell Morphology: MRC-5 cells exhibit a fibroblast-like morphology.
  • Cell Diameter: The diameter of an MRC-5 cell is approximately 18 μm.
  • Karyotype: MRC-5 has a normal diploid karyotype, with the modal chromosome number being 46, typical of a normal human cell line.

Scientist researching viral cells and antivirus in the pharmaceutical lab, examining cell proteins and samples with modern medical technologies.

Culturing Guidelines for the MRC-5 Cell Line

Cultivating the MRC-5 cell line efficiently necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its specific requirements. Below are essential points to consider for successful cultivation:

  • Doubling Time: The MRC-5 cell line has a doubling time of approximately 45 hours. Depending on the culturing conditions, this may vary between 35 and 45 hours.

  • Adherent Nature: MRC-5 fetal cells are adherent, requiring attachment to a surface for growth, which is typical of fibroblast cells.

  • Optimal Cell Density: For seeding, an optimal density of 1 x 10^4 cells/cm^2 is recommended. The passaging process involves washing the adherent cells with PBS, treating with Accutase for 8-10 minutes to detach, followed by centrifugation. The cell pellet is then resuspended in growth medium and transferred to new flasks for continued cultivation.

  • Growth Medium: The recommended growth medium for MRC-5 cells is EMEM, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 2.2 g/L NaHCO3, 2 mM L-glutamine, and Earle's Balanced Salt Solution (EBSS).

  • Culturing Conditions: Maintain cultures in a humidified incubator at 37°C with 5% CO2 to mimic physiological conditions.

  • Storage Conditions: For long-term storage, MRC-5 cells should be kept in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen or at temperatures below -150°C.

  • Freezing and Thawing: Use CM-1 or CM-ACF freezing medium, applying a slow freezing method to preserve cell viability. For thawing, warm the cells in a 37°C water bath until a small ice clump remains, then transfer to fresh medium and centrifuge to remove the cryoprotective agent. Resuspend the cells in fresh growth medium before seeding in new culture vessels.

  • Biosafety Level: Handling and maintenance of MRC-5 cultures require a biosafety level 1 laboratory, ensuring adherence to safety protocols.

These guidelines are designed to assist researchers in maintaining the MRC-5 cell line under optimal conditions, facilitating reliable and reproducible results in their scientific inquiries.

Adherent semi-confluent layer of MRC-5 cells at 10× and 20× magnification.

MRC-5 cell line: Advantages & Limitations

Similar to other cell lines, MRC-5 human diploid cells have many advantages and disadvantages. In this section, we will go through some notable ones that may help you decide its use in your research.

Advantages

The main advantages of MRC5 cells are:

  • Human-derived normal cell line

    MRC-5 fetal cells are derived from normal human lung tissue, making it a valuable tool for researchers studying human-specific diseases. Being a normal diploid cell line, it closely mimics the physiology and responses of human cells, offering a more accurate model for biomedical and pharmaceutical research compared to cancerous or transformed cell lines.

  • Susceptibility to viruses

    MRC-5 fibroblast cells exhibit high susceptibility to several human viruses, including those causing respiratory infections and diseases such as influenza and coronaviruses. This characteristic makes them particularly useful for studying viral pathogenesis, screening antiviral drugs, and developing viral vaccines. The ability of MRC-5 cells to support efficient viral replication enables researchers to understand the mechanisms underlying viral infections and to assess the efficacy of potential therapeutics.

Limitations

Finite lifespan: Despite their utility, the MRC-5 fibroblast cell line has a finite lifespan in vitro. They typically undergo approximately 42 to 46 population doublings before entering a state of replicative senescence. This limited replicative capacity poses a challenge for long-term experiments requiring continuous cell culture. Researchers need to carefully consider the duration of their experiments and plan accordingly to avoid issues related to senescence-induced alterations in cell behavior. Additionally, the finite lifespan of MRC-5 cells necessitates periodic replenishment with freshly cultured cells, which can affect experimental consistency and reproducibility.

Applications of MRC-5 cells in research

Advancements in Antiviral Research and Vaccine Development Using MRC-5 Cells

MRC-5 cells, originating from the lung tissue of a 14-week-old aborted fetus, have become a cornerstone in the field of antiviral research and vaccine development. These diploid cell strains are integral to the production of the rubella virus vaccine and the Sabin poliovirus vaccine. The derivation from human tissue makes MRC-5 cells an exceptional model for studying viral behaviors, such as the replication of poliovirus, the mechanisms of SARS-CoV amplification, and the generation of the herpes simplex virus in laboratory settings.

These cells' susceptibility to various viruses has streamlined the vaccine development process, providing a reliable cell substrate for virus replication, such as those that cause measles and rubella. The non-cancerous nature of MRC-5 cells is vital to ensuring the safety of vaccines, as it provides a response that is indicative of what would occur in human cells.

Significant strides in understanding viral infection and vaccine enhancement have been made possible through research utilizing MRC-5 cells. A 2021 study, for instance, showed that the production scale of the rabies virus could be increased by suppressing specific cellular proteins with interferon inhibitors, thus leading to higher virus yields [3]. Additionally, a 2019 study examining the response of MRC-5 cells to rabies viral infection highlighted the potential of exosomes, miR-423-5p, and the interferon (type I) signaling pathway as targets to improve rabies vaccine production [4].

MRC-5 Cells in Cellular Therapy and Disease Research

MRC-5 cells also play a pivotal role in the realm of cellular therapy. Their comparison to mesenchymal stromal cells from the umbilical cord, especially in terms of differentiation potential, has sparked significant interest for their use in therapeutic applications. Cellular therapy position statements have recognized these cells for their therapeutic potential in treating various conditions. For example, they hold promise in modulating immune system responses in diseases like multiple sclerosis and enhancing megakaryocyte potentiator activity, which is important for platelet production.

In addition to their therapeutic applications, MRC-5 cells have enriched the field of disease research, particularly in understanding viral therapeutics and antiprotozoal products. As a refractory cell line, MRC-5 cells have a limited lifespan, but their contributions to medical research are substantial. They are instrumental in the discovery of antiviral agents and are used in megakaryocyte colony assays to advance our understanding of blood platelet formation. The enduring legacy of MRC-5 cells continues to shape the landscape of medical science, improving our capabilities to address complex diseases and conditions.

Dive Deeper into Science: Explore More on MRC-5 Cells and Related Research Tools

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Publications on the MRC-5 Cell Line

The MRC-5 cell line, a staple in medical research, has been the focus of various significant studies. Below are some noteworthy publications that have utilized this cell line in their research:

These publications underscore the versatility of the MRC-5 cell line in facilitating diverse and groundbreaking research in virology, oncology, and beyond, contributing significantly to our understanding of cellular responses and therapeutic potentials.

FAQs on MRC-5 cells

MRC-5 cells were developed by J.P. Jacobs and colleagues at the Medical Research Council in the UK in 1966. They were derived from lung tissue obtained from a 14-week-old male fetus through a process involving cell culture techniques.
MRC-5 cells are obtained from human fetal lung fibroblasts. They are widely used in various fields of biomedical research, including virology, genetics, and cancer research.
WI-38 cells are another line of human diploid fibroblasts, similar to MRC-5 cells. They were derived from the lung tissue of a female fetus in the early 1960s. WI-38 cells are used in medical research and vaccine production due to their ability to support the growth of viruses for vaccine formulations.
Diploid cell lines, such as MRC-5 and WI-38, have two sets of chromosomes, similar to most human cells. They are valuable in research and biotechnological applications because they retain normal cellular physiology, unlike cancerous cell lines that may have abnormal numbers of chromosomes.
Several vaccines utilize MRC-5 cells during their production process. These vaccines include those for rubella, hepatitis A, varicella (chickenpox), and some rabies vaccines.
No, MRC-5 is not a stem cell. MRC-5 cells are fibroblasts, a type of cell found in connective tissue. Unlike mesenchymal stem cells, MRC-5 cells do not have the multipotent capability to differentiate into various types of cells.
Diploid cell culture involves growing diploid cells, which have two sets of chromosomes, in a controlled environment. This type of cell culture is essential for studying normal human cell functions, drug development, and vaccine production.
The culture medium for MRC-5 cells typically includes essential nutrients, growth factors, and supplements necessary for cell growth and maintenance. It may vary based on specific research needs but generally consists of a basal medium like Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium (EMEM) supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS), amino acids, and antibiotics.
MRC-5 cellular proteins play a crucial role in the cells' physiological functions and their interaction with viruses. In vaccine production, understanding these proteins can help optimize virus growth conditions and ensure the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
MRC-5 and WI-38 cells are both human diploid cell lines used extensively in medical research and vaccine production, but they originate from different sources and were developed in different years. WI-38 cells were derived from the lung tissue of a female fetus in 1962, while MRC-5 cells were developed from the lung tissue of a male fetus four years later, in 1966 [3]. Despite their similar applications in studying viral infections and producing vaccines for diseases such as rubella, varicella, hepatitis A, and rabies [4], their origin from different individuals at different times marks the primary distinction between these two cell lines.

References

  1. Yang, X., et al., Interferon Inhibition Enhances the Pilot-Scale Production of Rabies Virus in Human Diploid MRC-5 Cells. Viruses, 2021. 14(1): p. 49.
  2. Wang, J., et al., Exosome-mediated delivery of inducible miR-423-5p enhances resistance of MRC-5 cells to rabies virus infection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2019. 20(7): p. 1537.
  3. McKenna, K.C., Use of Aborted Fetal Tissue in Vaccines and Medical Research Obscures the Value of All Human Life. Linacre Q, 2018. 85(1): p. 13-17.
  4. Jordan, I. and V. Sandig, Matrix and backstage: cellular substrates for viral vaccines. Viruses, 2014. 6(4): p. 1672-700.
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