SARS-CoV-2 Spike "donor" cells for cell fusion assays

HEK293-derived "donor" cell line for cell fusion

ABOUT

HEK293-derived "donor" cell line for Spike-dependent cell fusion

InvivoGen offers a human embryonic kidney (HEK)293-derived cell line, specifically designed to study SARS-CoV-2-host cell fusion:

• 293-hMyD88 Cells

These cells have been engineered to express a constitutively active human MyD88 [1]. Upon transient transfection, with a Spike expression plasmid, 293 hMyD88 cells become a SARS-CoV-2 mimic, which can then fuse with InvivoGen's permissive reporter cells (e.g. HEK Blue™ hACE2(TMPRSS2) and A549 Dual™ hACE2 TMPRSS2) [2].

More details

Rationale

SARS-CoV-2 variants are characterized by several mutations within the antigenic Spike protein, which drives the virus entry into target cells [3]. These mutations provide a selective advantage to the virus, ultimately reducing the effectiveness of vaccination and therapeutic strategies [4]. Thus, Spike-mediated SARS-CoV-2 fusion with target cells is a relevant readout to screen for novel neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or small molecule inhibitors.

InvivoGen has developed a simple cell fusion assay that relies on the transfer of the adaptor molecule, MyD88, from a 'donor cell line' to an 'acceptor cell line' expressing an NF-κB-SEAP-inducible reporter gene. Cell fusion is readily assessable in the co-culture supernatant using the SEAP detection reagent, QUANTI-Blue™ Solution.

 

Learn more about InvivoGen's cell fusion assays
 

Key Features

  • Stable and constitutive activation of the human MyD88 gene for NF-κB-SEAP-based cell fusion assays.
  • Functionally validated in cell fusion assays using pUNO1-Spike (Wuhan-Hu-1 D614) and the HEK-Blue™ hACE2(-TMPRSS2) reporter cell line.
     

Applications

  • Screening inhibitors of Spike-binding and/or SARS-CoV-2 host receptors.
  • Studying the efficacy of vaccination and current therapeutics against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

 

293-hMyD88 cells with stable expression of Spike (Wuhan, original), Spike V8 (Delta/B.1.617,2), or Spike V11 (Omicron/BA.1) have also been generated. These cells have been used to compare the efficiency of EK1C4 at inhibiting SARS-CoV2 Spike variant-mediated cellular fusion. See data

 

Learn more about emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants

 

 

References:

1. Deguine J. & Barton G.M. 2014. MyD88: a central player in innate immune signaling. F1000Prime Reports, 6:97, doi:10.12703/P6-97
2. Hoffmann M. et al. 2020. SARS-CoV-2 cell entry depends on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and is blocked by a clinically proven protease inhibitor. Cell. 181:1-16.
3. Garcia-Beltran, W.F. et al. 2021. Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants escape neutralization by vaccine-induced humoral immunity. Cell. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2021.03.013
4. Greaney, A.J. et al., 2021. Complete mapping of mutations to the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain that escapes antibody recognition. Cell Host & Microbe. DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.11.007.

Disclaimer:  These cells are for internal research use only and are covered by a Limited Use License (See Terms and Conditions). Additional rights may be available.

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications

Tested applications

Cell fusion assays

Cell type
Epithelial
Growth properties
Adherent
Tissue origin
Human embryonic kidney cells
Antibiotic resistance
Puromycin
Growth medium

Complete DMEM (see TDS)

Mycoplasma-free

Validated using PlasmotestTM

Quality control

Each lot is functionally tested and validated.

CONTENTS

Contents

  • Product: 
    293-hMyD88 Cells
  • Cat code: 
    293-hmyd
  • Quantity: 
    3-7 x 10^6 cells
Includes:
  • 1 ml of Puromycin (10 mg/ml)
  • 1 ml of Normocin™ (50 mg/ml)

Shipping & Storage

  • Shipping method:  Dry ice
  • Storage:

    • Liquid nitrogen vapor
    Stability: 20 passages

    Caution:

    • Upon receipt, store immediately in liquid nitrogen vapor. Do not store cell vials at -80°C.

Details

MyD88 and InvivoGen's cell fusion assay

A gain-of-function mutant of MyD88, the canonical adaptor and central node in inflammatory signalling pathways, has been described in the literature. This mutant (L256P) can spontaneously assemble and lead to persistent NF-κB activation. Therefore, upon cell fusion in InvivoGen’s assay, the constitutively expressed MyD88 in the donor cell line is transferred to the acceptor cell, where it is able to activate an IRAK-dependent signalling cascade. Ultimately, this leads to the expression of the NF-κB-dependent SEAP reporter. 

DOCUMENTS

Documents

293-hMyD88 Cells

Technical Data Sheet

Validation Data Sheet

Safety Data Sheet

Certificate of analysis

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