The BIRC2 knockout SK-HEP-1 polyclonal cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population derived from the human liver adenocarcinoma cell line SK-HEP-1. This heterogeneous pool carries targeted disruption of the BIRC2 gene, enabling loss-of-function studies in a cellular context retaining both epithelial and endothelial features. The polyclonal format avoids single-cell clonal isolation, offering a ready-to-use knockout model that preserves functional diversity.
The parental SK-HEP-1 line was isolated from ascitic fluid of a liver adenocarcinoma patient and serves as a hepatocellular carcinoma model. Notably, it displays endothelial-like properties such as endothelial marker expression and tube formation ability, making it valuable for studying epithelial-endothelial interplay and vascular mimicry. This dual phenotype facilitates investigations of tumor microenvironment interactions and metastatic processes.
BIRC2 encodes cIAP1, an inhibitor of apoptosis that directly binds and inhibits caspases-3, -7, and -9. As an E3 ubiquitin ligase, cIAP1 ubiquitinates RIPK1 and NIK to modulate canonical and non-canonical NF-??B signaling, thereby controlling expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-survival genes. Its activity is induced by TNF-??, TWEAK, CD40L, and TLR agonists, and it forms complexes with TRAF2, TRAF1, cIAP2, XIAP, and SMAC/DIABLO.
Disruption of BIRC2 in the SK-HEP-1 polyclonal background creates an experimental system for studying apoptosis resistance in liver adenocarcinoma. The dual epithelial-endothelial phenotype of the host cells allows investigation of cIAP1-mediated NF-??B signaling in tumor cell survival, angiogenic mimicry, and inflammatory responses. Researchers can use this model to assess sensitization to TNF-??-induced apoptosis, chemotherapeutics, or IAP-targeted therapies. The polyclonal population offers a physiologically relevant spectrum of genotypes and phenotypes, avoiding clonal bias in functional studies.
Typical applications include NF-??B luciferase reporter assays, apoptotic flux measurement by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and caspase-3/7 activity, and co-immunoprecipitation of cIAP1 with TRAF2. Western blotting for cIAP1 and downstream targets such as phosphorylated NIK or cleaved caspases validates knockout efficiency. Cell viability assays (MTT) and RT-qPCR for NF-??B target genes quantify responses to cytokines or drugs. This polyclonal knockout cell pool is a versatile tool for apoptosis research, NF-??B pathway analysis, cancer drug resistance studies, and inflammation. For further details, contact Ascent Research.
