The CD48 Knockout HAP1 Polyclonal Cells product provides a pooled population of CRISPR/Cas9-edited HAP1 cells with targeted disruption of the CD48 gene. Unlike single-cell-derived clones, this polyclonal knockout model maintains genetic heterogeneity, reducing clone-specific artifacts and offering a robust system for loss-of-function studies in a near-haploid background. This format is particularly advantageous for applications where population-level responses are critical, such as functional screens and signaling assays.
HAP1 is a near-haploid, fibroblast-like human cell line derived from the KBM-7 chronic myeloid leukemia line, originally isolated from a male patient. Its near-haploid karyotype simplifies genetic analysis by eliminating the complexities of diploid gene dosage, making it a preferred platform for functional genomics, high-throughput CRISPR screening, and mechanistic cell biology. The adherent growth characteristics and stable genotype further enhance experimental reproducibility.
CD48 encodes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein of the SLAM family, serving as a ligand for CD2 on T cells and CD244 on NK cells. Receptor engagement activates Src kinases Lck and Fyn, adaptors SAP and EAT-2, and downstream pathways involving PI3K, Vav, Rac, and ERK, thereby modulating immune synapse formation, adhesion, and cytotoxicity. Its expression is regulated by IL-4, IL-13, and interferon-gamma through STAT6 and NF-??B.
In the HAP1 cellular context, disruption of CD48 provides a simplified system for dissecting CD2/CD244-mediated signaling pathways because the host line lacks many endogenous immune co-receptors that could confound interpretation. When co-cultured with CD2- or CD244-expressing effector cells or stimulated with recombinant ligands, the knockout cells allow precise analysis of CD48-specific contributions to adhesion and downstream signal transduction. The polyclonal nature of the population mirrors the heterogeneity observed in physiological settings, increasing the relevance of functional assays.
Typical research applications include characterization of CD48-dependent immune synapse architecture, validation of therapeutic agents targeting CD48 for autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, and deployment in genome-wide synthetic lethality or modifier screens. Representative assays encompass flow cytometry, western blotting for phospho-signaling analysis, cell adhesion assays with CD2/CD244-expressing cells, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and functional cytotoxicity testing. For further information or technical inquiries, please contact Ascent Research.
