C8166

The C8166 cell line is a T-cell line transformed by Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and is widely utilized in research on retroviral infections, particularly HIV and HTLV. Initially derived by fusing umbilical cord blood lymphocytes with T-cells from leukemia-lymphoma patients, C8166 cells retain the HTLV-1 genome and express viral RNA without producing infectious HTLV-1 particles. This cell line is notable for its high susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, which is demonstrated by syncytia formation-large, multinucleated cells resulting from viral fusion activity, making it a robust model for studies on HIV pathogenesis and cytopathic effects in vitro.

C8166 cells have been used extensively in studies examining viral gene functions and interactions, such as the HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr) which can induce G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in infected T-cells. The introduction of Vpr into C8166 cells has been shown to activate caspase-related apoptotic pathways, implicating its potential as a target in HIV-related apoptosis studies and antiviral therapies. Additionally, C8166’s expression of specific surface markers and sensitivity to HIV-1 entry and replication make it valuable for evaluating the effects of inhibitors on HIV replication and cellular responses under different conditions, including serum-free media which has been shown to alter expression levels of certain receptors and diminish HIV infectivity over time.

This cell line’s adaptability and sensitivity to HIV and HTLV-1 provide a dynamic system for research in virology and immunology, particularly for understanding viral latency, replication mechanisms, and potential therapeutic interventions targeting viral infections in T-cells.

37°C, 5% CO₂, humidified atmosphere.

1. Confirm that the vial remains deeply frozen upon delivery, as cells are shipped on dry ice to maintain optimal temperatures during transit.

2. Upon receipt, either store the cryovial immediately at temperatures below -150°C to ensure the preservation of cellular integrity, or proceed to step 3 if immediate culturing is required.

3. For immediate culturing, swiftly thaw the vial by immersing it in a 37°C water bath with clean water and an antimicrobial agent, agitating gently for 40-60 seconds until a small ice clump remains.

4. Perform all subsequent steps under sterile conditions in a flow hood, disinfecting the cryovial with 70% ethanol before opening.

5. Carefully open the disinfected vial and transfer the cell suspension into a 15 ml centrifuge tube containing 8 ml of room-temperature culture medium, mixing gently.

6. Centrifuge the mixture at 300 x g for 3 minutes to separate the cells and carefully discard the supernatant containing residual freezing medium.

7. Gently resuspend the cell pellet in 10 ml of fresh culture medium. For adherent cells, divide the suspension between two T25 culture flasks; for suspension cultures, transfer all the medium into one T25 flask to promote effective cell interaction and growth.

8. Adhere to established subculture protocols for continued growth and maintenance of the cell line, ensuring reliable experimental outcomes.

Mycoplasma contamination is excluded using both PCR-based assays and luminescence-based mycoplasma detection methods.

To ensure there is no bacterial, fungal, or yeast contamination, cell cultures are subjected to daily visual inspections.

For long-term preservation, place vials in vapor-phase liquid nitrogen at about −150 to −196 °C. Storage at −80 °C is acceptable only as a short interim step before transfer to liquid nitrogen.

Cryopreserved cell lines are shipped on dry ice in validated, insulated packaging with sufficient refrigerant to maintain approximately −78 °C throughout transit. On receipt, inspect the container immediately and transfer vials without delay to appropriate storage.

At Cytion, we stand behind the quality and viability of our products. We guarantee that our cells will be viable at the start of culture for 60 days after shipment from our facilities. We assure that all materials conform to the specifications described in the Certificate of Analysis and/or Product Sheet.

For full details, please refer to our Warranty Statement.