Generation of microglial cell lines by transfection with simian virus 40 large T gene

Microglial cells, which were isolated from a primary culture of neonatal rat brain, were transfected with temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 (SV40) large T gene by the calcium phosphate precipitation method. Four weeks after transfection, several colonies were generated, and cloned cells were characterized. One of the cloned cells (RBM129) proliferated actively at 37 degrees C and the dividing rate was significantly decreased at 40.5 degrees C. The expression of large T antigen was detected by western blotting in cells incubated at both 37 degrees C and 40.5 degrees C. The cell line showed high activity of non-specific esterase, isolectin B4 binding and phagocytosis. Also the cells were stained by ED 1 monoclonal antibody. These results indicate that these cells were derived from rat brain microglia, and immortalized by large T gene.