Summary
Cell line CRFK, derived from kidney tissue of a normal domestic kitten, was initiated in 1964. With intermittent periods of storage in the frozen state, it has been grown in vitro during more than 200 passages, without apparent loss of susceptibility to selected viruses. Various herpesviruses and feline viruses belonging to differnet virus groups grow readily and with distinct, cytopathic features. The cells now grow as a smooth monolayer of epithelial-like cells; most have 37 chromosomes (2n−1) and are thus aneuploid for cat karyotype. Three distinct marker chromosomes are identified. The cell line, which is free of mycoplasmal contaimination, is useful in feline virus research and diagnostic medicine and has become of particular interest in cancer research.
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Supported in part by Contract E73-2001-NO1-CP-3-3237 within the Special Virus Cancer Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service and the Morris Animal Foundation and General Research Support funds of the New York State Veterinary College. CRFK cells from stock provided by C. G. Fabricant are available for distribution to investigators from the Cell Culture Laboratory, Naval Biomedical Research Laboratory.
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Crandell, R.A., Fabricant, C.G. & Nelson-Rees, W.A. Development, characterization, and viral susceptibility of a feline (Felis catus) renal cell line (CRFK). In Vitro 9, 176–185 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02618435
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02618435