WI-38: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:33, 15 February 2025

WI-38[edit]

File:WI-38-Li-and-Tollefsbol-2011.gif

Micrograph of WI-38 cells

WI-38 is a human cell line derived from the lung tissue of a 3-month-old female fetus. It is one of the most widely used cell lines in biomedical research and has played a crucial role in the development of vaccines and the study of cellular senescence.

History[edit]

The WI-38 cell line was developed in the early 1960s by Leonard Hayflick and Paul Moorhead at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia. The cell line was derived from the lung tissue of a legally aborted fetus and was one of the first normal human diploid cell lines to be established. WI-38 cells have a normal karyotype and are capable of undergoing a finite number of cell divisions, a phenomenon known as the Hayflick limit.

Applications[edit]

WI-38 cells have been instrumental in the production of several important vaccines, including those for rubella, measles, mumps, varicella, and adenovirus. The cell line's ability to support the growth of various viruses has made it a valuable tool in vaccine development.

In addition to vaccine production, WI-38 cells have been used extensively in research on cellular aging and senescence. The study of WI-38 cells has provided insights into the mechanisms of cell cycle regulation and the role of telomeres in cellular aging.

Characteristics[edit]

WI-38 cells are fibroblast-like in morphology and exhibit a typical diploid karyotype. They have a finite lifespan in culture, typically undergoing 50 to 60 population doublings before entering a state of senescence. This characteristic makes them an ideal model for studying the process of cellular aging and the factors that influence the Hayflick limit.

Ethical Considerations[edit]

The use of WI-38 cells, derived from fetal tissue, has raised ethical questions regarding the use of human fetal material in research. However, the cell line has been widely accepted in the scientific community due to its significant contributions to public health and the development of life-saving vaccines.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''WI-38''' is a [[cell line]] derived from [[lung]] [[fibroblasts]] of a female fetus aborted in 1962. This cell line was developed by Leonard Hayflick and Paul Moorhead in the early 1960s, marking a significant advancement in [[medical research]] and [[virology]]. WI-38 cells are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes, which is a characteristic of normal human cells. This makes them highly valuable for research purposes, as they closely mimic the natural cellular environment in humans.
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:WI-38}}
-== Development and Use ==
+== WI-38 ==
-The WI-38 cell line was developed through the isolation of lung fibroblasts from a three-month-old female fetus. The fetus was legally aborted, and the cells were obtained with the consent of the mother. Hayflick and Moorhead were the first to successfully create a cell line that could replicate for many generations without becoming cancerous, a phenomenon now known as the [[Hayflick limit]]. Before the development of WI-38, most cell cultures used in research were derived from cancer cells and had an unlimited capacity to replicate. The finite replication capability of WI-38 cells made them more similar to normal human cells, providing a more accurate model for human biology and disease.
+[[File:WI-38-Li-and-Tollefsbol-2011.gif|thumb|right|Micrograph of WI-38 cells]]
-WI-38 cells have been used extensively in medical research, including the development of vaccines for various diseases such as [[rubella]], [[rabies]], [[adenovirus]], [[measles]], and [[chickenpox]]. The use of these cells in vaccine production has been credited with saving millions of lives worldwide. Additionally, WI-38 cells have been instrumental in the study of [[cancer]], [[genetic disorders]], [[aging]], and the effects of radiation and toxic substances on human cells.
+'''WI-38''' is a [[human cell line]] derived from the [[lung]] tissue of a 3-month-old female fetus. It is one of the most widely used [[cell lines]] in [[biomedical research]] and has played a crucial role in the development of [[vaccines]] and the study of [[cellular senescence]].
+== History ==
+The WI-38 cell line was developed in the early 1960s by Leonard Hayflick and Paul Moorhead at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia. The cell line was derived from the lung tissue of a legally aborted fetus and was one of the first normal human diploid cell lines to be established. WI-38 cells have a normal [[karyotype]] and are capable of undergoing a finite number of cell divisions, a phenomenon known as the [[Hayflick limit]].
+== Applications ==
+WI-38 cells have been instrumental in the production of several important vaccines, including those for [[rubella]], [[measles]], [[mumps]], [[varicella]], and [[adenovirus]]. The cell line's ability to support the growth of various [[viruses]] has made it a valuable tool in [[vaccine development]].
+In addition to vaccine production, WI-38 cells have been used extensively in research on [[cellular aging]] and [[senescence]]. The study of WI-38 cells has provided insights into the mechanisms of [[cell cycle]] regulation and the role of [[telomeres]] in cellular aging.
+== Characteristics ==
+WI-38 cells are fibroblast-like in morphology and exhibit a typical [[diploid]] karyotype. They have a finite lifespan in culture, typically undergoing 50 to 60 population doublings before entering a state of senescence. This characteristic makes them an ideal model for studying the process of cellular aging and the factors that influence the [[Hayflick limit]].
 == Ethical Considerations ==
-The use of WI-38 cells has raised ethical questions, particularly regarding the use of cells derived from aborted fetuses. Some groups oppose the use of these cells on moral or religious grounds. However, many in the scientific and medical communities argue that the benefits derived from research using WI-38 cells justify their use. The development of vaccines using WI-38 cells has prevented countless deaths and has significantly advanced our understanding of human biology and disease.
+The use of WI-38 cells, derived from fetal tissue, has raised ethical questions regarding the use of human fetal material in research. However, the cell line has been widely accepted in the scientific community due to its significant contributions to public health and the development of life-saving vaccines.
-== Legacy ==
+== Related pages ==
-The WI-38 cell line has had a profound impact on medical research and public health. Its development marked a turning point in cell biology, allowing researchers to study human cells in the laboratory in ways that were not previously possible. The vaccines developed using WI-38 cells have had a global impact, eradicating or significantly reducing the incidence of several deadly diseases. The ethical debate surrounding the use of WI-38 cells continues, but their contribution to science and medicine is undeniable.
+* [[Cell line]]
+* [[Vaccine]]
+* [[Cellular senescence]]
+* [[Hayflick limit]]
+* [[Telomere]]
 [[Category:Cell lines]]
-[[Category:Medical research]]
+[[Category:Vaccines]]
-[[Category:Virology]]
+[[Category:Biomedical research]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}