Ba/F3

Description

Ba/F3 is a murine pro-B lymphocyte cell line derived from the bone marrow of the C3H mouse strain. Under standard conditions, it is considered non-tumorigenic. The cells display round, lymphocyte-like morphology. Ba/F3 is dependent on interleukin-3 (IL-3) for survival, undergoing apoptosis in its absence unless transformed by oncogenic stimuli. Genetically, the line is near-diploid with ~33% polyploidy and remains stable unless manipulated. Ba/F3 cells are genetically stable unless transduced with oncogenes or constructs, making them a preferred model for functional gene analysis. They lack endogenous expression of the prolactin receptor and certain cytokine receptors, though these can be introduced experimentally. While not inherently tumorigenic or metastatic, Ba/F3 cells may acquire these traits upon transformation. This cell line is widely used in studies of cytokine signaling, oncogenes, and drug screening.

Application

• Ba/F3, a widely used cell line for studying cytokine receptors, has multiple applications. As a murine hematopoietic cell line, this particular cell line has gained popularity as a system for screening oncogenic variants found in various cancers. It allows researchers to explore downstream oncogenic signaling pathways and evaluate how driver mutations respond to candidate therapies. Compared to traditional assays involving fibroblasts or epithelial cells, the Ba/F3 system provides advantages such as fast growth and efficient gene manipulation through electroporation or retro/lentiviral transduction. These features make Ba/F3 a valuable tool for rapid and reliable research studies in the field of cancer studies.