Biosafety classification is based on U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines, it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that their facilities comply with biosafety regulations for their own country.
The BC-3 cell line contains the viral genome for Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, provisionally designated HHV-8).
KSHV is a recently identified and partially uncharacterized virus.
BC-3 cells are negative for both HIV and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
They are also reported to be negative for herpes simplex virus 1 & 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
BC-3 has an intact KSHV genome of about 170 kb both in the cell line and in the viral isolate.
The cells do express activation antigens.
Cultures can be maintained by the addition of fresh medium or replacement of medium. Alternatively, cultures can be established by centrifugation with subsequent resuspension at 5 x 105 viable cells/mL. Maintain cell density between 5 x 105 and 2 x 106 viable cells/mL.
Arvanitakis L, et al. Establishment and characterization of a primary effusion (body cavity- based) lymphoma cell line (BC-3) harboring kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8) in the absence of Epstein-Barr virus. Blood 88: 2648-2654, 1996. PubMed: 8839859
Cesarman E, et al. KSHV positive cell lines. US Patent 5,908,773 dated Jun 1 1999
