The IL13RA1 Knockout HAP1 Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population targeting IL13RA1 in the human near-haploid HAP1 cell line. This loss-of-function model enables investigation of IL13RA1-mediated signaling without clonal expansion, offering a heterogeneous pool suitable for pooled functional screens and bulk analyses. These cells support research into interleukin-13 (IL-13) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptor biology, allergic inflammation, and Th2-driven diseases.
The HAP1 line is a near-haploid human cell model derived from KBM-7 chronic myeloid leukemia cells, with a stable near-haploid karyotype and fibroblastoid morphology. Its single gene copy for most loci reduces genetic redundancy, making it ideal for knockout studies and genetic screens. HAP1 cells are widely used in CRISPR-based functional genomics, drug target validation, and signaling network dissection due to their ease of culture and manipulation.
IL13RA1 encodes the IL-13 receptor ??1 subunit, a critical component of the type II IL-4 receptor. Upon IL-13 or IL-4 binding, it heterodimerizes with IL4RA, activating JAK1 and TYK2 kinases that phosphorylate STAT6. Phosphorylated STAT6 dimerizes, translocates to the nucleus, and induces transcription of CCL11 (eotaxin), CCL17, CCL22, and genes driving IgE class switching. The decoy receptor IL-13R??2 also modulates ligand availability. Thus, IL13RA1 centrally mediates STAT6-dependent transcriptional programs downstream of IL-13/IL-4 in Th2 immune responses.
Disrupting IL13RA1 in the near-haploid HAP1 background creates a clear loss-of-function model, abolishing ligand-induced STAT6 phosphorylation and downstream gene expression without allele compensation. This polyclonal pool is well-suited for pooled modifier screens to identify regulators of the IL-13 pathway or assess drug specificity. Comparative studies with wild-type HAP1 cells allow validation of small molecules or antibodies targeting the IL-13/IL-4 axis, and analysis of receptor internalization and signaling cross-talk in a simplified genetic context.
Applications include allergic disease modeling (asthma, atopic dermatitis), oncology (glioblastoma, colorectal cancer), and drug target validation. Representative assays encompass phospho-STAT6 flow cytometry post-IL-13 stimulation, RT-qPCR for CCL11/CCL17/CCL22, western blotting for IL13RA1, and STAT6 reporter assays. These cells support genetic screens for pathway modulators and cytokine response profiling. For additional technical details or custom gene-editing services, please contact Ascent Research.
