RAJI Cells

Raji cells are a line of lymphoblast-like cells established by R.J.V. Pulvertaft in 1963 from Burkitt's lymphoma. These cells are widely used in immunology research due to their high expression of human CD19, which acts as a co-receptor and decreases the threshold for antigen B-cell receptor (BCR) stimulation. Raji cells are non-adherent and grow in suspension as free-floating individuals or doublets. The doubling time of these cells is 23.2 hours, and they are relatively small in diameter with a diameter range of 5-8 μm. Some characteristics of Raji cells include a lack of differentiation, as they form large aggregations of hundreds of individual cells. These cells are diploid and have a stable karyotype within the male diploid stemline of 46. Additionally, Raji cells are partially resistant to poliovirus and vesicular stomatitis viruses. Human CD19 is highly expressed by Raji cells and has been identified as a clinical target for anti-hCD19-CD3 bis-specific antibodies in non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma. BCMA expression has also been identified in the Raji Burkitt lymphoma cell line and primary lymphoma, making it an important area of research for immunologists.