IDO1 Knockout Ca Ski Polyclonal Cells is a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population targeting the IDO1 gene in the Ca Ski human cervical carcinoma cell line. This polyclonal pool provides a heterogeneous loss-of-function model for studying IDO1-dependent immune modulation. The product is supplied as a ready-to-use polyclonal population.
Ca Ski is derived from a cervical epidermoid carcinoma, containing integrated HPV16 and HPV18 genomes. These epithelial cells are widely used as a model for HPV-positive cervical cancer, particularly for investigating mechanisms of metastasis and immune evasion. The cell line is well-characterized in cancer biology and drug response studies.
IDO1 catalyzes the rate-limiting step of tryptophan degradation along the kynurenine pathway, producing kynurenine. This enzyme is transcriptionally induced by IFNG via JAK-STAT signaling and modulated by TNF-alpha, IL-1, and prostaglandins. Elevated IDO1 activity depletes local tryptophan and accumulates kynurenine, which activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and GCN2 kinase. AhR signaling promotes regulatory T-cell differentiation, while GCN2 activation induces T-cell anergy, collectively suppressing effector T-cell function and fostering an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. IDO1 functions downstream of JAK1 and STAT1, and its product kynurenine drives downstream effectors such as AhR, CYP1A1, and GCN2, while also interacting with heme cofactor and kynurenine aminotransferases.
In Ca Ski cells, which naturally express HPV oncoproteins and exhibit immune-evasive phenotypes, IDO1 knockout disrupts a critical immune checkpoint. This loss-of-function model enables dissection of IDO1-mediated immunosuppression specifically in the context of HPV-driven cervical carcinoma. It provides a platform to explore how IDO1 intersects with viral oncogenesis and stromal interactions within the tumor microenvironment.
This polyclonal knockout population is suitable for cancer immunology, tumor microenvironment studies, and immune checkpoint research. It allows for IDO1 inhibitor screening (e.g., with epacadostat) and investigation of drug resistance mechanisms. Researchers can quantify kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratios by LC-MS, assess T-cell proliferation in co-culture assays, and monitor T-cell markers via flow cytometry. Standard validation assays include western blotting and RT-qPCR. The product supports functional studies on IDO1-driven immune escape and the development of combination immunotherapies. For additional technical details or to discuss custom projects, please contact Ascent Research.
