Ba/F3

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.