BCP-1 cells

Overview

BCP-1 cells are a human cell line derived from a B-cell lymphoma associated with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). These cells are used extensively in research to study the biology of KSHV and its role in oncogenesis.

Origin and Characteristics

BCP-1 cells were originally isolated from a patient with AIDS-related primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These cells are latently infected with KSHV, making them a valuable model for studying viral latency and reactivation.

Morphology

BCP-1 cells are lymphoblastoid in appearance and grow in suspension. They exhibit typical characteristics of B-cell lymphomas, including the expression of B-cell markers such as CD19 and CD20.

Growth Conditions

BCP-1 cells are cultured in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10-20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and antibiotics. They require a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2 at 37°C for optimal growth.

Applications in Research

BCP-1 cells are primarily used in research focused on:

• Viral Latency and Reactivation: Understanding how KSHV maintains latency and what triggers its reactivation.
• Oncogenic Mechanisms: Investigating the molecular pathways through which KSHV contributes to the development of cancer.
• Antiviral Drug Testing: Evaluating the efficacy of potential antiviral compounds against KSHV.

Molecular Biology

BCP-1 cells harbor the entire KSHV genome, which is maintained as an episome in the nucleus. The study of these cells has provided insights into the viral genes involved in latency, such as LANA (latency-associated nuclear antigen), and those involved in lytic replication.

Safety and Handling

As with all cell lines derived from human tissues, BCP-1 cells should be handled under appropriate biosafety conditions. They are classified as a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) organism due to the presence of KSHV.

Also see

• Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus
• Primary Effusion Lymphoma
• B-cell Lymphoma
• Human Herpesvirus 8
• Viral Oncogenesis

References

• Cesarman, E., Chang, Y., Moore, P. S., Said, J. W., & Knowles, D. M. (1995). Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS-related body-cavity-based lymphomas. New England Journal of Medicine, 332(18), 1186-1191.
• Rainbow, L., Platt, G. M., Simpson, G. R., Sarid, R., Gao, S. J., Stoiber, H., ... & Schulz, T. F. (1997). The 222 to 234-kilodalton latent nuclear protein (LNA-1) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8) is encoded by orf73 and is a component of the latency-associated nuclear antigen. Journal of Virology, 71(8), 5915-5921.