Immortalized Equine Lung Cells (extEqFL)

The immortalized equine lung cells (extEqFL) represent a significant advancement in veterinary and virological research, primarily for their extended lifespan and utility in studying equine gammaherpesviruses. Developed from primary cells extracted from equine fetal lung by transfection with the retroviral vector LXSN116E6E7, these cells incorporate human papilloma virus oncogenes E6 and E7, enabling propagation beyond the typical 10-12 passages to over 40 passages. This capability allows for prolonged and detailed studies without the rapid senescence associated with primary cells. These cells exhibit comparable transfection efficiency to primary lung cells and maintain stable growth and characteristics throughout extended culture. The extEqFL line is particularly valuable for viral research, offering a consistent and reproducible model for investigating equine herpesvirus infections and their interactions with host cells.