RG2 Cells

The RG2 cell line is derived from a chemically induced glioma in Fischer 344 rats. Generated via transplacental administration of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), RG2 gliomas are classified as anaplastic gliomas due to their invasive growth pattern, high mitotic index, and undifferentiated morphology. These tumors are notable for their consistent lethality in vivo and their ability to grow in syngeneic hosts without eliciting a significant immune response. This low immunogenicity makes RG2 an ideal model for studying glioblastoma-like tumors and testing experimental therapies in immunocompetent settings. RG2 glioma cells exhibit characteristics typical of high-grade gliomas, including rapid proliferation, invasive capacity, and genomic alterations. Studies have highlighted the loss of tumor suppressor genes such as CDKN2A, along with dysregulated pathways involving PDGF, Ras, and IGF signaling. The cell line grows as undifferentiated spindle-shaped cells in vitro, maintaining their tumorigenic potential when implanted intracranially, where they display diffuse invasion into normal brain tissue, mimicking human glioblastoma behavior. This cell line has been extensively utilized in preclinical research to evaluate the efficacy of various therapeutic approaches, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. RG2 gliomas are particularly valuable for testing novel drug delivery methods, such as convection-enhanced delivery (CED), and for investigating mechanisms of blood-brain barrier disruption in gliomas. Its histopathological and molecular resemblance to human glioblastomas underscores its utility in translational neuro-oncology.