Description
Immortalized Mouse Microglial (BV2) cells have become a popular substitute for primary microglia in many experiments. These cells were derived from C57/BL6 neonatal microglia and immortalized using the v-raf/v-myc-carrying J2 retrovirus. BV2 cells express env gp70, nuclear v-myc, and cytoplasmic v-raf oncogene products on their surface. One of the advantages of BV2 cells is their ability to stimulate other glial cells. When present, BV2 cells cause the translocation of NF-kappaB and expression of IL-6 in astrocytes. This makes BV2 cells useful for studying complex cell-cell interactions in various experimental settings. Over 200 publications have used BV2 cells for pharmacological studies, phagocytosis studies, and immunological discoveries. BV2 cells express functional NADPH oxidase, an enzyme implicated in microglia-induced neuronal damage, for neurodegeneration studies. BV2 cells also express primary microglia markers like CD11b, F4/80, and Iba1. However, unlike primary microglia, unstimulated BV2 cells have an amoeboid, hypertrophied morphology, indicating a highly activated and inflammatory state. This means that BV2 cells may not be ideal for studying the low-dose effects of toxicants on microglial activation. Additionally, there is some doubt whether BV2 cells accurately model primary microglia in culture or the brain. Some studies have compared BV2 cells to primary rat microglia, introducing a bias due to species differences and different analysis methods, such as cytokine ELISAs. However, in another study, BV2 cells induced proteins that matched upregulated genes in primary murine microglia.
Recommended Medium
SuperCult® Immortalized Mouse Microglia Medium (Cat No.: CM-I2227Z)
Freezing Medium
Complete medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) DMSO
Culture Properties
Adherent/suspension
Morphology
Morphology microglial
Immortalization Method
v-raf/v-myc-carrying J2 retrovirus
Growth Properties
Cells are cultured as a monolayer at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2.
Citation Guidance
If you use this products in your scientific publication, it should be cited in the publication as: Creative Bioarray cat no.
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What are Immortalized Mouse Microglia (BV2)?
The BV2 cell line consists of mouse microglial cells that have been immortalized to enable indefinite proliferation. These cells retain many of the functional properties of primary microglia and are widely used as a model for studying microglial behavior in various research contexts.
Do you offer customization or additional services for BV2 cells?
Yes, we offer a range of custom services, including:
Genetic modification (e.g., knockout or knock-in projects).
High-volume cell production for large-scale studies.
Development of custom assays to suit specific research objectives.
Tailored media formulations to enhance specific cellular behaviors.
