HEK-Blue-Lucia™ TNF-α Cells

Notification:  Reference #hkd-tnfa-av can only be ordered together with reference #hkd-tnfa.

TNF-α reporter cells with SEAP and Lucia luciferase double read-out

Signaling pathways in HEK-Blue-Lucia™ TNF-α cells

HEK-Blue-Lucia™ TNF-α* cells were engineered from the human embryonic kidney HEK293 cell line to detect bioactive human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by monitoring the activation of the NF-κB pathway. In addition, these cells can be used for screening antibodies or small molecule inhibitors targeting the TNF-α pathway. 

TNF-α is a multi-functional pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the regulation of a wide spectrum of biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis [1]. 

 More details

* formerly named HEK-Dual™ TNF-α cells

Cell line description

HEK-Blue-Lucia™ TNF-α cells were generated by stable transfection with the genes encoding for two NF-κB-inducible reporters: secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and Lucia luciferase. This feature allows the double readout of the NF-κB actiavtion upon the binding of TNF-α to its receptor, by monitoring the activity of SEAP and Lucia luciferase using QUANTI-Blue™ Solution and QUANTI-Luc™ 4 Lucia/Gaussia, respectively. 

HEK-Blue™ TNF-α cells detect human (h) TNF-α. Of note, these cells are not responsive to hIL-1β, and hIFN-β (see figures).

Key features

• Fully functional TNF-α signaling pathway
• Readily assessable NF-κB-inducible SEAP and Lucia luciferase reporter activities
• Strong response to humanTNF-α
• No response to human IL-1β

Applications

• Detection and quantification of human TNF-α activity
• Screening of anti-TNF-α or anti-TNFR1/TNFR2 antibodies
• Screening of small molecule inhibitors of the TNF-α pathway

Reference:

1.Steeland S, Libert C, Vandenbroucke RE. 2018. A New Venue of TNF Targeting. Int J Mol Sci.;19(5):1442. 

Figures

Dose-response of HEK-Blue-Lucia™ TNF-α cells to recombinant human TNF-α. Cells were stimulated overnight with increasing concentrations of recombinant hTNF-α. The NF-κB-induced SEAP (A) and Lucia (B) activities were assessed using QUANTI-Blue™ and QUANTI-Luc™ 4 Lucia/Gaussia detection reagents, respetively. Data are shown as optical density (OD) at 630 nm, or fold response (mean ± SEM).

Response profile of HEK-Blue-Lucia™ TNF-α cells. Cells were incubated overnight with recombinant hTNF-α (10 ng/ml), hIFN-β (1000 U/ml), or hIL-1β (1 µg/ml). The NF-κB-induced SEAP (A) and Lucia (B) activities were assessed using QUANTI-Blue™ and QUANTI-Luc™ 4 Lucia/Gaussia detection reagents, respetively. Data are shown as optical density (OD) at 630 nm, or fold response (mean ± SEM).

Specifications

Antibiotic resistance: Zeocin®

Growth medium: DMEM, 4.5 g/l glucose, 2 mM L-glutamine, 10% (v/v) heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum, 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin, 100 μg/ml Normocin®

Specificity: Detects human TNF-α

Detection range:

• Using QUANTI-Blue™ Solution: 1 ng - 1 µg/ml
• Using QUANTI-Luc™ 4 Gaussia/Lucia®: 0.5 ng - 1 µg/ml

Quality Control:

• SEAP  and Lucia® reporter activity in response to TNF-α is validated using functional assays.
• The stability for 20 passages following thawing is confirmed.
• These cells are tested for mycoplasma contamination. 

These cells are covered by a Limited Use License (See Terms and Conditions).

Contents

• 1 vial containing 3-7 x 10⁶ cells 
• 1 ml of Zeocin® (100 mg/ml).
• 1 ml of Normocin® (50 mg/ml)
• 1 ml of QB reagent and 1 ml of QB buffer (sufficient to prepare 100 ml of QUANTI-Blue™ Solution, a SEAP detection reagent)
• 1 tube of QUANTI-Luc™ 4 Reagent, a Lucia luciferase detection reagent (sufficient to prepare 25 ml)

Shipped on dry ice (Europe, USA, Canada, and some areas in Asia)

Details

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine produced by several types of cells, predominantly activated macrophages [1.] TNF-α plays an important role in the immune response to microbial invasions and in the necrosis of specific tumors. Of note,  as a potent mediator of inflammation, TNF-α has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease [1,2].

TNF-α exists in two forms; a type II transmembrane protein and a mature soluble protein. The TNF-α transmembrane protein is proteolytically cleaved to yield a soluble protein [3], which subsequently forms a non-covalently linked homotrimer in solution. TNF-α binds two receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2 inducing signaling that involves TRADD, TRAF2, and RIP, and leads to the activation of the NF-κB and the MAPK pathways [4]. 

Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) is another inflammatory cytokine that triggers these pathways following the binding to its receptor IL-1RI and the recruitment of MyD88. Both TNF-α and IL-1β receptors are expressed in HEK293 cells. HEK-Dual™ TNF-α Cells are rendered unresponsive to IL-1β by stable knock-out of the MyD88 gene.

1. Sedger L. & McDermott M., 2014. TNF and TNF-receptors: From mediators of cell death and inflammation to therapeutic giants - past, present and future. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 25(4):453-72.
2. Li P. et al., 2017. Drugs for Autoimmune Inflammatory Diseases: From Small Molecule Compounds to Anti-TNF Biologics.Front Pharmacol .8:460.
3. Kriegler M. et al., 1988. A novel form of TNF/cachectin is a cell surface cytotoxic transmembrane protein: ramifications for the complex physiology of TNF. Cell. 53(1):45-53.
4. Wajant H. et al., 2003. Tumor necrosis factor signaling. Cell Death Differ. 2003 10(1):45-65.

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