Cas9 Expressing Nasopharyngeal cancer cells

The HK-1-CAS9 cell line is a powerful resource for CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing in studies involving the eye, ear, nose, throat, and oral systems. Its epithelial morphology and human origin make it particularly relevant for modeling diseases affecting mucosal or epithelial tissues, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, oral squamous cell carcinoma, or chronic sinusitis. Researchers can leverage this cell line to perform high-throughput gene knockout screens, identify critical genes in disease pathways, or validate therapeutic targets.

Functional Genomics and Disease Modeling

HK-1-CAS9 enables precise gene editing to investigate gene function in EENTO-specific contexts. For example, CRISPR knockouts can be used to study tumor suppressor genes (e.g., TP53) or oncogenes (e.g., EGFR) in nasopharyngeal cancer progression. Similarly, knock-in models can mimic patient-specific mutations (e.g., CFTR variants in chronic rhinosinusitis) to evaluate their pathological impact.

Drug Discovery and Target Validation

The cell line’s stable Cas9 expression facilitates rapid validation of drug targets. Researchers can design sgRNAs to silence candidate genes and assess phenotypic changes (e.g., reduced cell proliferation, altered cytokine secretion) in response to drug candidates. This is particularly valuable for screening anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer compounds targeting EENTO disorders.

Infection and Immunity Studies

HK-1-CAS9 can be used to explore host-pathogen interactions in mucosal infections. For instance, CRISPR editing of genes involved in viral entry (e.g., ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2) or immune evasion (e.g., TLR pathways) can elucidate mechanisms of infection in throat or nasal epithelia.

Personalized Medicine and Gene Therapy

The viral-based construction ensures stable Cas9 expression, making HK-1-CAS9 suitable for long-term studies or ex vivo gene therapy applications. Researchers can correct disease-causing mutations (e.g., in inherited hearing loss genes) or engineer cells to express therapeutic proteins (e.g., antimicrobial peptides for oral infections).

Technical Advantages

Hygromycin Resistance: Simplifies selection of Cas9-expressing cells, reducing experimental variability.

Mycoplasma-Free: Ensures data reliability by eliminating contamination risks.

Optimized Culture Conditions: RPMI-1640 + 10% FBS supports consistent growth and minimizes adaptation time.

High Viability: Cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen and dry ice shipping maintain cell integrity.