The BJ cell line has a long lifespan in comparison with other normal human fibroblast cell lines.

A frozen ampule at population doubling 2.3 was received at the ATCC in April, 2000.

These cells have a reported normal diploid karyotype at population doubling 61 but an abnormal karyotype at population doubling 82.

They are telomerase negative.

Cells from ATCC ampules have the capacity to proliferate to a maximum of 72 population doublings before the onset of senescence.