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Cell Lines

Cell Lines

A cell line is a population of cells grown in vitro that can be subcultured over several generations. Normal cells cease to divide after a certain number of cell divisions, a process known as replicative senescence. This number, called the Hayflick limit, was conceptualized by Leonard Hayflick in 1961 when he observed that fetal cells grown in culture could only divide 40-60 times. This limit is due to the shortening of the telomeres during each round of cell division, preventing cell division...

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Updated: May 8, 2026

Single-cell RNA-Seq of Defined Subsets of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Single-cell RNA-Seq of Defined Subsets of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Published on: May 22, 2017

A forensic path to RGC-5 cell line identification: lessons learned.

Raghu R Krishnamoorthy¹, Abbot F Clark, Donald Daudt

¹North Texas Eye Research Institute, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

|August 27, 2013

Summary

The widely used RGC-5 cell line, previously thought to be rat retinal ganglion cells, is actually a mouse photoreceptor cell line (661W). This mischaracterization impacts studies on retinal ganglion cell activity and neuroprotection.

Keywords:

661W RGC-5 cell misidentification tissue culture

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Single-cell RNA-Seq of Defined Subsets of Retinal Ganglion Cells

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Published on: October 25, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Genetics

Background:

The RGC-5 cell line was established in 2001 from rat retina, widely used to model rat retinal ganglion cells.
Recent studies questioned its origin and cell type, citing mouse DNA and non-ganglion cell protein expression.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the true origin and identity of the RGC-5 cell line.
To determine if the RGC-5 cell line is indeed of retinal ganglion cell origin.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of cytogenetic profiles, including karyotyping.
Genetic and protein profiling to identify cell-specific markers.
Review of laboratory practices to identify potential cross-contamination sources.

Main Results:

Confirmed that the RGC-5 cell line is of mouse, not rat, origin.
Conclusively determined that RGC-5 cells are not of retinal ganglion cell origin.
Identified RGC-5 cells as the 661W cell line, a mouse photoreceptor cell line, likely due to cross-contamination.

Conclusions:

The RGC-5 cell line has been mischaracterized regarding its species and cell type.
This misidentification necessitates a re-evaluation of studies using RGC-5 as a rat retinal ganglion cell model.
Recommendations are provided to prevent future cell line mischaracterization.