WI-38
WI-38[edit | edit source]
WI-38 is a human cell line derived from the lung tissue of a 3-month-old female fetus. It is one of the most widely used cell lines in biomedical research and has played a crucial role in the development of vaccines and the study of cellular senescence.
History[edit | edit source]
The WI-38 cell line was developed in the early 1960s by Leonard Hayflick and Paul Moorhead at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia. The cell line was derived from the lung tissue of a legally aborted fetus and was one of the first normal human diploid cell lines to be established. WI-38 cells have a normal karyotype and are capable of undergoing a finite number of cell divisions, a phenomenon known as the Hayflick limit.
Applications[edit | edit source]
WI-38 cells have been instrumental in the production of several important vaccines, including those for rubella, measles, mumps, varicella, and adenovirus. The cell line's ability to support the growth of various viruses has made it a valuable tool in vaccine development.
In addition to vaccine production, WI-38 cells have been used extensively in research on cellular aging and senescence. The study of WI-38 cells has provided insights into the mechanisms of cell cycle regulation and the role of telomeres in cellular aging.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
WI-38 cells are fibroblast-like in morphology and exhibit a typical diploid karyotype. They have a finite lifespan in culture, typically undergoing 50 to 60 population doublings before entering a state of senescence. This characteristic makes them an ideal model for studying the process of cellular aging and the factors that influence the Hayflick limit.
Ethical Considerations[edit | edit source]
The use of WI-38 cells, derived from fetal tissue, has raised ethical questions regarding the use of human fetal material in research. However, the cell line has been widely accepted in the scientific community due to its significant contributions to public health and the development of life-saving vaccines.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
