Jurkat cytoplasmic extract

Jurkat cytoplasmic extract was prepared from cell cultures of the Jurkat human CD4(+) T cell lymphoblast-like cell line. The Jurkat cell line was established from the propagation of peripheral blood cells of a 14 year old boy with T cell leukemia. These cells are primarily used in research as a T cell model system, particularly in studies of T cell signaling, T cell leukemia, and response to viral infection. Jurkat cells are frequently used in HIV-related research to examine the mechanisms governing T cell-mediated immunity in response to HIV infection. Stimulation of these cells with phorbol esters and either lectins or monoclonal antibodies leads to activation of T cell antigen receptors and induction of IL-2 expression. Because these cells can produce IL-2 in response to stimulation, they are frequently used in research to study the regulation of cytokine expression and differentiation. However, the primary use of Jurkat cells is to study the response of various cancers to radiation or drug treatments.