Human EGFR-expressing Raji Cells

Human EGFR-expressing B cells

Raji-hEGFR cells were developed from the human Raji cell line, a human B lymphocyte-derived cell line, and engineered to stably overexpress the human EGFR gene. Raji cells have been successfully used as target cells in human effector studies such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), either with peripheral blood mononuclear cells, natural killer (NK) cells, or T cell-derived Jurkat reporter cells.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), also known as HER1 or ERBB1, is a member of the EGFR/ERBB family of receptor tyrosine kinases [1,2]. Under normal physiological conditions, activation of EGFR by various ligands, including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)–α, leads to the formation of an active EGFR-homodimer or heterodimer with another member of the ERBB family such as HER2. EGFR-dependent signaling is crucial in the regulation of tissue development and homeostasis [1]. However, uncontrolled surface overexpression and/or enhanced signaling activity of EGFR  is a major driver of tumor progression (e.g. lung, breast, and glioblastoma) [1,2]. Thus, it is considered an important tumor-associated antigen and oncogene. EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies (e.g. Cetuximab) have been approved for the treatment of a variety of cancers [1,2]. EGFR remains an important therapeutic target for the development of more potent mAbs (e.g. increased effector function).

Features of Raji-hEGFR cells:

• Stable overexpression of the human EGFR gene
• Characterized by a number of cell-surface expressed markers including the B cell receptor (BCR), CD19, and CD20
• Constitutive expression of various immune checkpoints (ICs) such as CD27, CD70, CD80, PD-L1, and 4-1BBL

Applications for Raji-hEGFR cells:

• Target cell line for ADCC assays using InvivoGen's Jurkat-Lucia™ NFAT-CD16 cells
• Target cell line for cell toxicity assays using NK or CAR-T cells
• For use in the development of other functional assays

Validation of Raji-hEGFR cells:

• Overexpression of EGFR verified by flow cytometry
• Functionally tested as target cells in ADCC assays using anti-human EGFR mAbs and Jurkat-Lucia™ NFAT-CD16 cells
• Guaranteed mycoplasma-free

​References:

1. Sigismund, S. et al. 2018. Emerging functions of the EGFR in cancer. Mol Oncol 12, 3-20.
2. Sabbah, D.A. et al. 2020. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Structure, Signaling Pathways, Interactions, and Recent Updates of EGFR Inhibitors. Curr Top Med Chem 20, 815-834.