Lentivirus Packaging Cell Line

BioInnovatise Viral Vector Team

Updated December 1, 2023

Which Cell Lines Are Used for Lentivirus Packaging?

Lentiviruses are versatile and can infect a wide range of cell types, both dividing and non-dividing. The choice of cell line for lentiviral transduction depends on the specific experimental goals, the nature of the target cells or tissues in a research or therapeutic context, and the compatibility with lentiviral vector characteristics.

The above diagram illustrates the lentivirus packaging process at BioInnovatise, where our team uses HEK293T cells for lentivirus packaging. Determining which cell line to use is important in the co-transfection step, but has downstream impacts, including titering. To learn more, read about our lentivirus packaging protocol.

Here are some commonly used cell lines for lentivirus production and transduction:

HEK293 (Human Embryonic Kidney 293): HEK293 cells and their derivatives, such as HEK293T (the “T” stands for transient transfection), are widely used for lentivirus production due to their high transfection efficiency.

HeLa: HeLa cells, derived from cervical cancer cells, are commonly used for lentiviral transduction experiments.

Jurkat: Jurkat cells, a human T lymphocyte cell line, are often used in studies related to immunology and T cell biology.

THP-1: THP-1, a human monocytic cell line, is commonly used in studies related to macrophage biology and inflammation.

U937: U937, another human monocytic cell line, is used in research related to myeloid cell differentiation and function.

293FT: A derivative of HEK293 cells, 293FT cells are engineered for enhanced lentiviral vector production.

HepG2: HepG2 cells, derived from human liver hepatocellular carcinoma, are often used in studies related to liver biology and metabolism.

Primary: Lentiviruses can also be used to transduce primary cells, including primary human and animal cells derived from tissues such as fibroblasts, neurons, endothelial cells, and more.

Stem: Lentiviral vectors are commonly used for the genetic modification of stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs).

What Are the Best Cell Lines for Packaging Lentivirus?

Figuring out what the best cell line for packaging lentivirus is depends on the research application. The HEK293T cell line is a very common cell line for packaging lentivirus because of its transfection and transduction efficiency. However, the above cell lines are all available for lentivirus based research.

If you’re unsure which lentivirus packaging cell line is right for you, contact our team.

Learn about our quick turnaround lentivirus packaging services.

Want to learn more about the latest in lentivirus based research? Our colleagues at ScienceDirect and Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News continuously collect and publish the latest information on lentivirus-based research.

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