The A2M Knockout Jurkat Polyclonal Cells are a genetically modified T lymphocyte population generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of the A2M gene in the Jurkat cell line. This heterogeneous polyclonal pool serves as a loss-of-function model to investigate alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) function, circumventing the need for clonal isolation. The product offers a ready-to-use system for functional studies where population-level gene perturbation effects are analyzed.
Jurkat cells are an immortalized human T lymphocyte line originally isolated from an acute T cell leukemia patient. Widely used in immunology and cancer research, they provide a robust platform for studying T cell receptor signaling, activation, apoptosis, and cytokine responses. Their rapid growth and ease of genetic manipulation make them a preferred host for targeted gene knockouts.
A2M is a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor and cytokine scavenger that traps proteases like trypsin and thrombin, and binds cytokines and growth factors such as TGF-??, IL-1, IL-6, and PDGF. Its expression is upregulated by IL-6 via the STAT3/C/EBP pathway and by glucocorticoids. A2M-protease complexes are cleared through the LRP1 receptor. In T cells, A2M modulates extracellular proteolysis and cytokine availability, thereby influencing TGF-??/SMAD signaling and inflammatory networks. Knockout of A2M removes this regulatory layer, potentially leading to heightened protease activity and altered cytokine signaling.
In Jurkat cells, loss of A2M disrupts the balance of protease inhibition and cytokine scavenging, which may enhance TCR-mediated signaling and inflammatory cytokine cascades, while impairing TGF-??-dependent regulatory pathways. This knockout model is relevant for studying diseases where A2M dysregulation is implicated, such as Alzheimer’s disease, COPD, and cancer, offering a cellular tool to examine the crosstalk between proteolytic activity and immune function.
Applications include quantifying A2M mRNA and protein levels by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, measuring protease activity, and profiling cytokine secretion by ELISA. Flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI staining can assess apoptosis, and caspase activity assays can probe cell death signaling. The model is suited for investigating protease inhibition in immune cells, cytokine scavenging mechanisms, and the impact on T cell activation. For further inquiries, contact Ascent Research.
