The PAFAH2 Knockout Raji Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout population of Raji B lymphocytes with targeted disruption of the PAFAH2 gene. This loss-of-function model provides a heterogeneous pool of edited cells suitable for pooled functional assays and population-level studies in PAF signaling research.
Raji cells are a suspension B?lymphocyte line derived from a Burkitt lymphoma patient and latently infected with Epstein?Barr virus (EBV). They express B?cell markers and model B?cell malignancies and EBV?associated lymphoproliferative disorders, offering a clinically relevant system for oncogenic and inflammatory pathway analysis.
PAFAH2 encodes a cytosolic acetylhydrolase that hydrolyzes platelet?activating factor (PAF) and oxidized phospholipids, terminating their pro?inflammatory actions. Knockout of PAFAH2 results in elevated PAF levels and sustained activation of the PAF receptor (PAFR), which couples to G??q/11 and G??i proteins. This triggers phospholipase C activation, inositol trisphosphate?mediated calcium mobilization, and protein kinase C?dependent stimulation of MAPK cascades including ERK and p38 phosphorylation. Downstream, NF???B and AP?1 transcription factors drive expression of pro?inflammatory cytokines such as IL?6 and IL?8. The pathway is modulated by upstream regulators like TNF???, IL?1??, and LPS, and intersects with arachidonic acid metabolism through COX?2, producing prostaglandins and leukotrienes that amplify inflammatory signals.
In Raji lymphoma cells, constitutive PAFR signaling due to PAFAH2 loss provides a tool to study lipid mediator contributions to B?cell proliferation, survival, and transformation. The interaction with EBV latency, which also manipulates NF???B and MAPK pathways, can be probed to evaluate potential tumor?suppressive or regulatory roles for PAFAH2 in lymphomagenesis.
Assays applicable to this polyclonal model include PAF quantification by ELISA or LC?MS, intracellular calcium flux measurement, NF???B luciferase reporter assays, and phospho?MAPK Western blotting. Functional studies may employ proliferation (MTS, BrdU), apoptosis (Annexin V/propidium iodide), and cytokine secretion (IL?6/IL?8 ELISA) readouts, along with PAF receptor antagonist sensitivity testing. Applications span functional analysis of PAF signaling in B?cell lymphoma, inhibitor screening, drug target validation for inflammatory and lymphoproliferative diseases, and investigation of EBV?related B?cell transformation. For further information, please contact Ascent Research.
