The CD40 Knockout HCT 116 Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population derived from the widely utilized HCT 116 human colorectal carcinoma cell line. This product offers a loss-of-function model to interrogate CD40-dependent pathways without the bias inherent in isolating single-cell clones. The polyclonal nature captures a spectrum of gene disruptions, making it particularly valuable for population-level functional assays in cancer biology and immunology research.
HCT 116 is an extensively characterized epithelial colorectal carcinoma cell line originally isolated from a male patient. This adherent line is a cornerstone of preclinical oncology research due to its well-defined molecular features and reproducible growth characteristics. Commonly employed in studies of tumor cell signaling, drug sensitivity, and tumor microenvironment interactions, the HCT 116 background provides a robust platform. The CD40 knockout variant enhances this model by enabling precise investigation of CD40 function in colorectal cancer.
CD40 belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and functions primarily in immune regulation and cell survival. Ligand engagement by CD154 promotes recruitment of TRAF adaptor proteins, including TRAF2, TRAF3, and TRAF6, which subsequently activate signaling cascades such as NF-??B, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and JAK/STAT. Key downstream mediators are transcription factors NF-??B and AP-1, which drive expression of cytokines IL-6 and IL-10, adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members. These pathways orchestrate B cell proliferation, class switch recombination, and broader immune cell activation.
In the colorectal cancer context, CD40 expression can modulate tumor-immune crosstalk and influence cell proliferation and survival. The CD40 knockout HCT 116 polyclonal cells allow researchers to dissect the specific contribution of CD40 to signaling networks, including NF-??B and PI3K/AKT axes. This model holds relevance for studying hyper-IgM syndrome, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer, with particular significance for understanding how CD40 signaling contributes to immune evasion and inflammation-associated colorectal carcinogenesis.
Typical research applications encompass immune checkpoint studies, colorectal cancer immunobiology, drug target validation, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays. The knockout cells are compatible with a variety of experimental approaches, such as western blotting for CD40 and phospho-NF-??B, flow cytometry to confirm loss of surface CD40, cell proliferation and apoptosis assays, and co-culture setups with immune effector cells. These assays facilitate detailed characterization of CD40-controlled functional outcomes. For further details, please contact Ascent Research.
