The LNPEP Knockout Raji Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population derived from the Raji B lymphoblast cell line, featuring targeted disruption of the LNPEP gene. This heterogeneous pool provides a robust loss-of-function model without clonal isolation, enabling detailed investigation of LNPEP-dependent processes.
The Raji cell line, originating from a human Burkitt lymphoma, is an EBV-positive B lymphoblast widely utilized in immunology. Raji cells exhibit mature B cell characteristics, including efficient antigen presentation and antibody production, making them an ideal model for studying immune surveillance, B cell biology, and hematological malignancies.
LNPEP encodes a dual-function aminopeptidase that cleaves and inactivates peptide hormones??oxytocin, vasopressin, and angiotensin IV??thereby modulating their receptor-mediated signaling. Its activity is regulated by insulin, glucose, NF-??B, IL-1??, and estrogen. As the insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), LNPEP associates with GLUT4 vesicles, facilitating insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, and also trims peptides for MHC class I loading. Key pathway components include the insulin receptor, PI3K/Akt, AT4 receptor, and oxytocin/vasopressin receptors.
In Raji cells, LNPEP knockout enables dissection of its contributions to antigen processing, as peptide trimming by LNPEP may influence MHC class I presentation. Although B lymphoblasts are not canonical insulin targets, IRAP expression permits investigation of potential crosstalk between metabolic signaling and immune function. This model thus supports studies of peptide hormone degradation and its intersection with B cell biology.
Typical research applications encompass peptide hormone metabolism, antigen processing, B cell biology, and cancer immunology. Representative assays include Western blotting, enzyme activity assays, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, peptide cleavage and antigen presentation assays, phospho-Akt analysis, glucose uptake assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. These tools aid research into hypertension, preeclampsia, autism spectrum disorder, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. For further technical information, please contact Ascent Research.
