Description: The cell line was established from primary cultures of adherent cells from Atlantic salmon head kidney. The cells have been used in the study of the infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) virus. SHK-1 cells are recognised by MAbs specific for Atlantic salmon peripheral blood leucocytes, but not with Mabs specific with polymorphonuclear leucocytes. SHK-1 cells have been shown to phagocytose the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicidia to some extent, but no bacterical activity was observed over a period of 72 hours. From these results it has been concluded that SHK-1 is derived from leucocytes with some of the properties of macrophages. Studies have shown that the cells can be passaged more than 60 times.

Also Known As:

Species: Fish

Tissue: Unknown

Growth Properties: Adherent

Morphology: Fibroblast-like

Growth Medium: Leibovitz L15 + 4mM Glutamine + 40µM 2-Me + 5% Foetal Bovine Serum (FBS).

Subculturing Procedure: Split sub-confluent cultures (70-80%) 1:2 seeding at 1-2 x 10,000 cells/cm² using 0.25% trypsin or trypsin/EDTA. Incubate at 20°C. CO2 must not be used. Keep culture dark e.g. by wrapping flask in foil. The cells are sensitive to trypsin which must be removed at each subculture by centrifuging the harvested cells at 100 x g for 5 minutes and resuspending the cell pellet in fresh medium. Cells grow better if conditioned medium is used at each stage supplemented with fresh medium.

Release Conditions: No

Depositor: Birgit H Dannevig, National Veterinary Institute, Ullevaalsveien 68; Oslo

Originator: Yes

References: J Gen Virol 1995;76:1353; Fish and Shellfish Immunol 1997;7:213; Vet Res 1995;26:499; J Virol 1997;71-7681;J Virol 1997;71:9016

Hyperlink to ECACC Cell Line Data Sheet: 97111106