WI-38

WI-38

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

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, 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

• Cell line
• Vaccine
• Cellular senescence
• Hayflick limit
• Telomere