ST Cells

The ST cell line, derived from the connective tissue of a male Landrace pig, is primarily used in scientific studies related to virology and toxicology. These cells are of swine origin and are particularly valuable for research in veterinary medicine and comparative cellular biology, particularly for studies on viruses that affect swine. The fibroblast-like morphology of ST cells makes them a suitable model for studying cellular processes and virus-cell interactions in a porcine context. ST cells exhibit robust growth characteristics under standard cell culture conditions and have been utilized extensively to study a variety of swine pathogens, including foot-and-mouth disease virus and other Picornaviridae family members. Their susceptibility to different viral infections facilitates the analysis of viral life cycles, host-pathogen interactions, and the efficacy of antiviral compounds. Additionally, these cells are often used in the assessment of toxicological responses to various chemical agents, providing essential data on cellular responses and cytotoxicity in a non-human mammalian system. The versatility of the ST cell line in virological and toxicological assays underscores its utility in both fundamental and applied biological research. As such, ST cells continue to be a critical resource for researchers aiming to advance veterinary health, understand zoonotic disease mechanisms, and develop therapeutic strategies for diseases affecting swine populations. Pig cell lines, Testis, Growth Conditions: Adherent, Biosafety level: BSL Biosafety level 1. The cell line harbors Porcine type-C oncovirus (PCOV) sequences and their transcripts, and the possibility of viral secretion cannot be excluded. In Germany, these viruses are categorized as BSL 1 for humans and BSL 2 for animals (TRBA 462). However, the German Central Committee on Biological Safety (ZKBS) assigns a BSL 2 classification to these viruses and infected cell lines when used for genetic modification purposes.