KU812 Cells

The KU812 cell line is a human leukemic cell line originally derived from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in the blastic crisis phase. It is notable for its capacity to differentiate into basophilic and erythroid lineages under specific conditions, making it a valuable tool for studying hematopoietic differentiation and related malignancies. The cell line exhibits characteristics of basophilic precursors, including the presence of metachromatic granules that are positive for toluidine blue and astra blue staining, and it synthesizes histamine, indicative of basophilic activity. KU812 cells are particularly relevant in investigating complement activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA) and hypersensitivity reactions mediated by basophils. This utility stems from their robust response to complement proteins like C3a and C5a, which trigger the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators, mimicking pseudoallergic reactions. KU812 cells express cell-surface markers such as CD63 and CD203c, which are associated with basophilic activation and degranulation. These markers have been employed in flow cytometry-based protocols to evaluate the immunological compatibility of nanomedicines and other biologics. Additionally, KU812 cells demonstrate erythroid differentiation potential when cultured in erythropoietin-supplemented conditions. This includes spontaneous maturation into erythroid cells capable of synthesizing various hemoglobins, such as adult and fetal forms. These features underline their utility in studying erythropoiesis alongside basophilic differentiation, making KU812 a versatile model for hematological research.