The ELANE Knockout TE1 Polyclonal Cells are a genetically modified human cell population generated from the TE1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma line via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of the ELANE gene, yielding a polyclonal loss-of-function model. This product enables investigation of neutrophil elastase function in a cancer-relevant epithelial background. The knockout population is suitable for experiments requiring ablation of ELANE expression without selection of individual clones, preserving the heterogeneity inherent to polyclonal editing.
TE1 cells originate from a poorly differentiated human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and are characterized by their tumorigenic and invasive properties. As an epithelial model of esophageal cancer, TE1 cells retain key features of aggressive carcinoma, including the ability to migrate and invade through extracellular matrix barriers. This host line provides a clinically pertinent system for dissecting molecular mechanisms that drive invasion and metastasis, particularly those influenced by the tumor microenvironment.
The ELANE gene encodes neutrophil elastase, a serine protease stored in neutrophil azurophilic granules and released at inflammatory sites. Neutrophil elastase degrades elastin, collagen, fibronectin, and other ECM proteins, facilitating tissue remodeling. It also processes pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1?? and activates PAR2, amplifying immune responses. Endogenous inhibitors include SERPINA1, SLPI, and Elafin. Transcription is regulated by C/EBP??, PU.1, and GFI1, and induced by G-CSF, IL-8, and TNF-??. Through these functions, neutrophil elastase bridges innate immunity and chronic inflammation, contributing to cancer progression by modifying the extracellular environment and paracrine signaling.
In the context of TE1 esophageal cancer cells, disruption of ELANE eliminates cell-intrinsic contributions of neutrophil elastase to ECM degradation and cytokine processing. Although TE1 cells are not professional immune cells, they may interact with neutrophil-derived elastase in the tumor microenvironment; knockout of ELANE enables distinction between tumor-cell-autonomous and paracrine effects. This model is valuable for studying how loss of elastase activity within the epithelial compartment influences cancer cell invasion, metastasis, and response to inflammatory cues. Co-culture with neutrophils can further dissect tumor-immune protease interplay.
Typical applications of ELANE Knockout TE1 Polyclonal Cells include investigating the role of neutrophil elastase in tumor invasion and metastasis using Transwell assays, analyzing changes in signaling pathways via Western blotting and RT-qPCR, and measuring cytokine secretion profiles with ELISA. These cells support drug discovery efforts targeting ELANE or its downstream pathways and enable functional studies of PAR2-mediated signaling in cancer. They are also suitable for co-culture with neutrophils to model the tumor-immune interface. For further technical information and ordering details, please contact Ascent Research.
