title: A ten-year retrospective analysis of the distribution, use and phenotypic characteristics of the LAD2 human mast cell line.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2003, this laboratory published an account of the human mast cell line LAD2 (Laboratory of Allergic Diseases 2) that expressed FcεRI, responded to recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF) and resembled CD34+-derived human mast cells. LAD2 cells have now been distributed worldwide. To study the impact of this transfer, we analyzed the number of investigators receiving LAD2 cells and resulting publications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records maintained in our laboratory, the Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Office and Office of Technology Transfer, were reviewed for material transfer agreements (MTAs) and licensing agreements (LAs). Journals and impact factors were obtained from PubMed.gov by cross-referencing LAD2 and human mast cells from 2003 through November 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 300 MTAs and 40 LAs were approved. LAD2 cells were shipped to over 30 countries. More than 80 papers have been published in journals with impact factors from 1.31 to 13.21. Intended uses include the study of receptors, degranulation, and cell signaling. LAD2 cells continue to express described markers and have consistent FcεR1-mediated degranulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Success of the LAD2 line reflects the demand for a human mast cell line in research, the uniqueness of this cell line, and that it continues to exhibit minimal variation from its original description. We hope that the awareness of the impact of this cell line on mast cell research will encourage others to develop and distribute other similar cell lines with additional characteristics so as to address the limitations of depending on the study of cultured human mast cells from tissues.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md., USA.
authors.forename: Arnold S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kirshenbaum
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrik
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Tara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Sury
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vepa
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wangsa
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ried
authors.forename: Dean D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
mesh_terms: D015706:Bibliometrics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018581:Technology Transfer
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017455:Receptors, IgE