DNA损伤时钠氢交换蛋白1在K562和HL-60细胞中的表达和对细胞凋亡的影响

本研究主要探讨在依托泊苷引起的DNA损伤下,BCR-ABL阳性细胞系K562中钠氢交换蛋白-1(NHE1)的表达变化情况,并初步探讨其在何种水平被调控。采用实时定量PCR技术检测NHE1在mRNA水平的表达;Western blot检测依托泊苷对细胞NHE1在蛋白水平的影响;流式细胞术测定细胞凋亡情况;构建NHE1启动子区荧光素酶报告载体,并测定不同依托泊苷浓度作用下的荧光素酶活性。结果表明:DNA损伤引起HL-60细胞NHE1在mRNA和蛋白水平升高(p<0.05),在K562细胞中未发现明显变化(p>0.05);依托泊苷对HL-60细胞有明显的促凋亡作用,阻止细胞内pH值的升高可以降低依托泊苷的促凋亡作用,依托泊苷对K562细胞凋亡率无明显影响;K562细胞在DNA损伤时,NHE1启动子区构建的荧光素酶表达载体活性升高。结论:依托泊苷造成的DNA损伤,促进HL-60细胞凋亡,并且依赖pHi的改变;在K562细胞中NHE1表达没有改变,但其转录活性升高。     

白血病U937细胞系WT1基因静默的机制研究

本研究探讨白血病细胞系WT1基因的甲基化状况及其与表达的关系.用甲基化抑制剂和组蛋白脱乙酰基酶抑制剂成功诱导WTI表达.用地西他滨、曲古抑菌素处理白血病U937、HL-60、K562细胞系,用RT-PCR、改良的硫化PCR结合限制性内切酶技术检测mRNA表达.结果表明,U937细胞不表达WT1基因,而HL-60、K562和KG1细胞高表达WT1基因;HL-60细胞WT1基因没有甲基化,而K562和U937细胞发生了甲基化.地西他滨、曲古抑菌素单药处理U937细胞不能诱导WT1基因表达,而二药联合作用可以诱导U937细胞系WT1基因重新表达.结论:单纯DNA甲基化不能抑制白血病细胞WT1基因表达;DNA甲基化与组蛋白脱乙酰基共同抑制了WT1基因表达;地西他滨、曲古抑菌素联合作用可以重新诱导WT1基因表达.     

耐药人白血病细胞GSH含量、GST活力及其同工酶、MRP表达的研究

目的：了解多药耐药基因（ｍｄｒ１）机制以外导致人白血病细胞耐药的因素。方法：采用生化方法，对Ｋ５６２和ＨＬ６０敏感和耐药细胞株谷胱甘肽（ＧＳＨ）含量、谷胱甘肽Ｓ转移酶（ＧＳＴ）活力进行测定；用Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ杂交对ＧＳＴα、π、μ和多药耐药相关蛋白（ＭＲＰ）ｍＲＮＡ表达进行检测；用Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ杂交对ＧＳＴα、π、μ蛋白表达进行检测。结果：与敏感株相比，Ｋ５６２／Ｈ２０和Ｋ５６２／ＶＣＲ的ＧＳＨ含量、ＧＳＴ活力明显增高，ＨＬ６０／Ａｄｒ的ＧＳＨ含量和ＧＳＴ活力无明显增高，Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ和Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ杂交可见ＧＳＴα、π和ＧＳＴπ、μ在Ｋ５６２／Ｈ２０和Ｋ５６２／ＶＣＲ过度表达，ＨＬ６０／Ａｄｒ无ＧＳＴ同工酶过度表达，ＭＲＰ在三种耐药株均有过度表达。结论：ＧＳＨ、ＧＳＴ和ＭＲＰ参与了Ｋ５６２／Ｈ２０和Ｋ５６２／ＶＣＲ耐药，ＨＬ６０／Ａｄｒ耐药与ＧＳＨ、ＧＳＴ无关，与ＭＲＰ有关。在实际应用中，应对多种耐药指标同时进行检测     

A novel stealth liposomal topotecan with amlodipine: apoptotic effect is associated with deletion of intracellular Ca2+ by amlodipine thus leading to an enhanced antitumor activity in leukemia.

The objectives of the present study were to define whether amlodipine induces apoptosis and what mechanism is involved in the process in human resistant and non-resistant leukemia cells following co-administration of stealth liposomal topotecan with amlodipine, a novel antiresistant liposomes developed by our institution. In three leukemias, K562, HL-60, and multidrug resistant (MDR) HL-60, cytotoxicity of topotecan was potentiated by amlodipine, while topotecan alone was resistant to MDR HL-60 cells. In two selected K562 or MDR HL-60 cells, the apoptotic effects were increased by addition of amlodipine, showing a dose-dependent manner. The activities of caspase 3 and 7 (marked as caspase 3/7), and caspase 8 were significantly activated by topotecan with amlodipine co-treated as the stealth liposomes. The deletions of intracellular Ca2+ stores induced by amlodipine correlated with the activated activities of caspase 3/7, or 8, respectively. In xenograft model with MDR HL-60 in nude mice, antitumor activity of stealth liposomal topotecan with amlodipine was significantly enhanced as compared to that of stealth liposomal topotecan or topotecan alone. In conclusion, apoptotic effect is associated with deletion of intracellular Ca2+ by amlodipine through activation of caspase 8 and then 3/7 activities. The enhanced antitumor activities by stealth liposomal topotecan with amlodipine are mainly due to the potentiating apoptotic effect and reversing the resistance by amlodipine. Stealth liposomal encapsulation of anticancer agent with a modulator may provide a novel strategy for improving the chemotherapeutic effects.     

白细胞介素2激活的骨髓及脐血单个核细胞体外抗肿瘤活性的…

目的：比较白细胞介素２激活的骨髓及脐血单个核细胞的抗肿瘤活性性，并探讨其其杀伤机制。方法：采用＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ前标记释放法和半固体培养等方法研究ＩＬ－２激活的骨髓和脐血的单个核细胞对白血病细胞株ＨＬ－６０细胞Ｋ５６２细胞的抗肿瘤活及ＡＢＭ和ＡＣＢ的造血社细胞活性。     

Effects of hippocampal histone acetylation and HDAC inhibition on spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze in rats

In recent years, it has been pointed out that epigenetic changes affect learning and memory formation. Particularly, it has been shown that histone acetylation and DNA methylation work in concert to regulate learning and memory formation. We aimed to examine whether acetylation of H2B within the rat hippocampus alters by trainings in the Morris water maze test. Male, 2–3 months old, Sprague Dawley rats were trained in Morris water maze task. Animals were given four trials per day for five consecutive days to locate a hidden platform. On the sixth day, the platform was removed and the animals were swum for 60 s. The effects of sodium butyrate, histone deacetylase inhibitor, were tested on normal and scopolamine-induced memory-impaired rats. The histone deacetylase inhibitor, sodium butyrate, increased histone H2B acetylation in normal rats. Sodium butyrate had no effect on learning and memory performance of normal rats; however, it partially ameliorated learning and memory disruption induced by scopolamine. So, the histone deacetylase inhibitors can be new treatment agent for cognitive disorders.     

右旋柠烯对HL-60、K562白血病细胞体外作用的研究

本研究观察右旋柠烯（d-limonene，D-L）对HL-60和K562白血病细胞增殖凋亡的影响，并进一步探讨其作用机制。首先采用碘化丙锭染色法观察右旋柠烯对HL-60、K562细胞增殖的影响，再通过细胞形态学观察、流式细胞术分析、免疫细胞化学半定量测定突变型p53、bcl-2、bax基因的表达水平，系统观察D-L对HL-60、K562细胞体外诱导凋亡的情况。结果表明：D-L抑制HL-60和K562细胞的增殖，IC50均为0．75mmol／L，呈剂量时间依赖关系；D-L诱导HL-60、K562细胞凋亡；D-L在诱导HL-60细胞凋亡过程中随作用浓度增加，bcl-2的表达下降；D-L在诱导K562细胞凋亡过程中随作用浓度增加，突变型p53及bcl-2的表达下调，而bax的表达上调。结论：D-L抑制HL-60和K562细胞增值并诱导其凋亡；突变型p53，bcl-2，bax参与了D-L诱导凋亡的基因调控，     

组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂对HL-60细胞和K562细胞的抗肿瘤作用

为了观察组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂丙戊酸（VPA）、曲古抑菌素（TSA）对K562细胞和HL-60细胞的抗肿瘤作用以及它们同全反式维甲酸（ATRA）之间的协同效应,采用绘制细胞生长曲线,计算半数抑制浓度（IC50）以及集落抑制试验等方法观察VPA,TSA以及全反式维甲酸（ATRA）在不同浓度或不同组合条件下对HL-60细胞和K562细胞的增殖抑制作用.采用细胞化学染色、分化抗原检测、细胞周期测定、联合NBT与MTT还原试验计算A（NBT）/A（MTT）值等方法分析细胞的分化或凋亡特点.结果显示,在体外培养体系中,VPA对HL-60细胞的IC50值低于对K562细胞的IC50值.ATRA能明显增强VPA、TSA对HL-60细胞以及VPA对K562细胞集落形成的抑制.HL-60经VPA处理后出现粒系表型,NBT还原率增加,CD11b表达增强,而K562细胞未显示分化迹象.结论：VPA和TSA抑制HL-60细胞增殖,VPA诱导HL-60细胞向粒系分化,这些作用均能被ATRA增强;VPA和TSA对K562细胞增殖抑制作用较弱,不能诱导K562细胞分化.     

致敏的脐血源树突状细胞诱导CTL特异杀伤白血病细胞的实验研究

探讨脐血单个核细胞（MNC）诱导的树突状细胞（DC）通过负载冻融的HL-60、K562细胞抗原体外诱导产生细胞毒性T淋巴细胞（CTL）对HL-60、K562的杀伤作用。取脐血12份,分离MNC。在MNC中加入细胞因子GM-CSF（granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor）、IL-3（interleukin 3）、SCF（stemcell factor）和EPO培养4周。使用CD83、CD1a、CD11C和CDw123单克隆抗体、流式细胞仪测定培养前后脐血DC抗原变化及扩增情况。DC通过负载HL-60、K-562白血病细胞抗原致敏T淋巴细胞产生CTL^3H-TdR掺入试验测定DC免疫刺激活性,MTT法观察CTL对HL-60、K562细胞的特异性杀伤活性。结果表明：新鲜脐血CD1a^＋、CD11c^＋、CD83^＋、CDw123^＋细胞数分别为0．27×10^5／ml、5．87×10^5／ml、1．94×10^5／ml、2．73×10^5／ml。加入上述细胞因子培养的脐血MNC分化为CD1a^＋、CD11C^＋、CD83^＋、CDw123^＋DC,经培养2—4周,DC数明显增多,分别达11．02×10^5／ml、28．24×10^5／ml、10．57×10^5／ml、18．7×10^5／ml,此后逐渐减少。细胞因子诱导脐血DC具有免疫刺激活性,且DC与CBMNC细胞比例为1：40时的刺激活性最佳。冻融法得到的HL-60、K562白血病细胞抗原致敏DC诱导的CTL对HL-60、K562细胞的杀伤率分别为（42．04±8．46）％和（31．25±11．07）％,与实验组比较有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。结论：加入细胞因子GM—CSF、IL-3、SCF和EPO培养2-4周的脐血MNC可分化为cD1a^＋、CD11C^＋、CD83^＋、CDw123^＋DC。冻融法得到的HL-60、K562白血病细胞抗原致敏DC,其诱导的CTL对HL-60、K562细胞具有特异的杀伤作用。脐血DC作为抗原呈递细胞在肿瘤免疫治疗上将起到重要作用。     

p53基因诱导白血病细胞凋亡的机制研究

目的：探讨p53基因诱导白血病细胞凋亡过程中内源性TGF-β1、TNF-α、端粒酶活性、Bcl-2表达的改变及其意义。方法：利用脂质体将温敏型p53基因[pN53cG(Val135)]导入p53基因缺失的白血病细胞系HL-60、K562细胞，经G418筛选，获得稳定表达p53蛋白的抗性克隆细胞HL-60pN53cG，K562-pN53cG细胞。采用缺口末端标记法、片段化DNA分析、RT-PCR、定量PCR、ELISA、PCR-ELISA、流式细胞术等方法检测外源性p53基因诱导白血病细胞凋亡过程中TGF-β1、TNF-α、bcl-2、端粒酶反转录酶(hTERT)mRNA表达变化、细胞上清TGF-β1水平和端粒酶活性及。TGF-β1、TNF-α反义PS-ODNS对白血病细胞凋亡和Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响。结果:①外源性野生型p53基因诱导细胞凋亡过程中内源性。TGF-β1和TNF-α mRNA表达上调，bcl-2及hTERT mRNA表达下调，细胞培养上清TGF-β1蛋白水平明显升高，端粒酶活性水平下降；②TGF-β1、TNF-α反义PS-ODNS能够明显抑制野生型p53基因诱导细胞凋亡的发生，并使细胞bcl-2 mRNA及蛋白表达恢复到处理前的水平。结论：p53基因诱导白血病细胞凋亡可通过上调内源性TGF-β1和TNF-α水平，下调hTERT mRNA表达及端粒酶活性，抑制bcl-2基因表达而发挥作用。     

多药耐药K562/A02和敏感K562细胞来源的树突状细胞介导抗白血病效应对比研究

本研究探讨多药耐药(MDR)白血病K562/A02细胞和敏感K562细胞诱导树突状细胞(DC)分化及介导的抗白血病效应。采用慢性粒细胞白血病(CML)P170糖蛋白(Pgp)高表达的MDRK562/A02细胞、敏感K562细胞在含细胞因子GMCSF(1000U/ml)、IL4(500U/ml)和TNFα(100ng/ml)的RPMI1640完全培养液中诱导分化成DC,以光镜观察细胞形态、流式细胞术检测细胞表型,异基因混合淋巴细胞反应(alloMLR)检测T细胞增殖活性,MTT法测定细胞毒作用。结果表明:培养14天的K562/A02细胞和K562细胞均出现典型的DC形态特征,表达DC的相关分化抗原及共刺激分子CD1a、CD83、HLADR、CD80、CD86。alloMLR检测中,K562/A02DC较K562DC具有更强的刺激异基因T细胞增殖能力(P<0.05)。两种DC激活的CTL分别对K562/A02和K562细胞较HL60细胞具有显著的杀伤活性(P<0.01);更重要的是,K562/A02DC较K562DC激活的CTL对Pgp高表达的MDRK562/A02细胞、HL60/VCR细胞具有更强的细胞毒作用,杀伤活性分别为(40.7±1.3)%、(28.4±0.9)%(P<0.01)和(24.9±1.1)%、(8.2±0.7)%(P<0.01)。结论:Pgp高表达的MDR白血病细胞K562/A02和敏感K562细胞都可在GMCSF、IL4和TNFα作用下诱导分化为成熟DC,均可活化CTL产生特异的抗白血病效应;尤其K562/A02细胞来源的DC可介导针对Pgp高表达的多药耐药白血病的特异细胞毒作用。     

MFTZ-1, an actinomycetes subspecies derived antitumor macrolide, functions as a novel topoisomerase II poison

14-Ethyl-2,5,11-trimethyl-4,13,19,20-tetraoxa-tricyclo[14.2.1.1(7,10)]eicosane-3,12-dione (MFTZ-1), a new macrolide compound isolated from Streptomyces sp. Is9131, displayed wide cytotoxicity in human tumor cell lines with an average IC(50) of 0.905 micromol/L. Notably, MFTZ-1 showed significant cytotoxicity in the three multidrug resistance cell lines with an average resistance factor of 2.08. The in vivo experiments showed that MFTZ-1 had inhibitory effects on the human ovarian carcinoma HO-8910 cell line xenotransplanted in nude mice. Further studies showed that MFTZ-1 induced DNA double-strand breaks and triggered mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Using a yeast genetic system, we found that topoisomerase (Topo) II rather than Topo I was the primary cellular target of MFTZ-1. Most importantly, MFTZ-1 functions as a novel nonintercalative Topo II poison via binding to ATPase of Topo II, characterized by its strong inhibition on the decatenation and relaxation of Topo II. The capacity of MFTZ-1 to stabilize Topo II-DNA covalent complexes was comparable with that of the classic Topo II poison, etoposide. Moreover, using a Topo II catalytic inhibitor aclarubicin and Topo II-deficient HL-60/MX2 cells, we further showed that MFTZ-1-triggered DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis occurred in a Topo II-dependent manner. Together, the well-defined Topo II-poisoning function and the potent antitumor activity, with the appreciable anti-multidrug resistance action in particular, promises MFTZ-1 as a novel potential Topo II-targeted agent, which merits further research and development.     

Enhanced topoisomerase II targeting by annamycin and related 4-demethoxy anthracycline analogues

Targeting topoisomerase II (topo II) is regarded as an important component of the pleiotropic mechanism of action of anthracycline drugs. Here, we show that 4-demethoxy analogues of doxorubicin, including annamycin, exhibit a greater ability to trap topo II cleavage complexes than doxorubicin and some other 4-methoxy analogues. In leukemic CEM cells with wild-type topo II, annamycin induced substantial levels of topo II-mediated DNA-protein cross-links (15-37% of total DNA for 0.5-50 micromol/L drug), whereas doxorubicin-induced DNA-protein cross-links were marginal (0-4%). In CEM/VM-1 cells that harbor mutated, drug-resistant topo II, both 4-methoxy and 4-demethoxy drugs produced marginal DNA-protein cross-links. Annamycin, but not doxorubicin, formed topo II-mediated DNA-protein cross-links also in isolated CEM nuclei. In disparity with the unequal DNA-protein cross-link induction, both drugs induced comparable levels of DNA strand breaks in CEM cells. Compared with CEM, drug cytotoxicity against CEM/VM-1 cells was reduced 10.5- to 13.8-fold for 4-demethoxy analogues but only 3.8- to 5.5-fold for 4-methoxy drugs. Hence, growth inhibition by 4-demethoxy analogues seems more dependent on the presence of wild-type topo II. The enhanced topo II targeting by 4-demethoxy analogues was accompanied by a profound induction of apoptotic DNA fragmentation in leukemic CEM cells. Normal WI-38 fibroblasts, however, were markedly more resistant to annamycin-induced DNA-protein cross-links, apoptosis, and growth inhibition. The enhanced topo II targeting by 4-demethoxy doxorubicin analogues underscores the mechanistic diversity of anthracycline drugs. This diversity needs to be recognized as a factor in responses to drugs such as annamycin and doxorubicin.     

Sequential oral 9-nitrocamptothecin and etoposide: a pharmacodynamic- and pharmacokinetic-based phase I trial

PURPOSE: Resistance to topoisomerase (topo) I inhibitors has been related to down-regulation of nuclear target enzyme, whereas sensitization to topo II inhibitors may result from induction of topo II by topo I inhibitors. Here, we evaluated a sequence-specific administration of a topo I inhibitor followed by a topo II inhibitor. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Twenty-five patients with advanced or metastatic malignancies were treated with increasing doses (0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, or 2.0 mg/m(2)) of 9-nitrocamptothecin (9-NC) on days 1 to 3, followed by etoposide (100 or 150 mg/d) on days 4 and 5. At the maximally tolerated dose, 20 additional patients were enrolled. The median age was 60 years (range, 40-84 years). Endpoints included pharmacokinetic analyses of 9-NC and etoposide, and treatment-induced modulations of topo I and II expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue were dose-limiting toxicities and occurred in six patients. Despite a median number of four prior regimens (range 1-12), 2 (4%) patients had an objective response and 13 (29%) patients had stable disease. In contrast to the expected modulation in topo I and IIalpha levels, we observed a decrease in topo IIalpha levels, whereas topo I levels were not significantly altered by 9-NC treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Sequence-specific administration of 9-NC and etoposide is tolerable and active. However, peripheral blood mononuclear cells may not be a predictive biological surrogate for drug-induced modulation of topo levels in tumor tissues and should be further explored in larger studies.     

造血系统肿瘤WT1基因启动子区域DNA甲基化及其调控的研究

目的 应用聚合酶链反应（PCR）的实验方法研究白血病细胞系中WT1基因启动了区域的DNA甲基化水平，及其与WT1基因表达的关系。方法 ①采用RT-PCR技术及甲基化特异性PCR（Methylation-spectific PCR，MSP）技术检测8226、HL-60、Jurkat、KG-1及Raji等血液系统肿瘤细胞系中WT1基因mRNA表达水平及其启动子区域的DNA甲基化状态；②以5-杂氮脱氧胞嘧啶（5-aza-CdR）对U937细胞系进行去甲基化处理，并观察WT1基因表达水平的改变。结果 ①HL-60、K562、KG-1、NB4及SHI-1细胞系中WT1表达水平高，而8226、Jurkat、Raji、U266和U937细胞系WT1表达水平则极低，同时检测到在8226、Jurkat、Raji、U266和U937这5个细胞系存和WT1基因启动子区域DNA高甲基化；②经去甲基化处理后，U937细胞系的WT1基因表达水平较未处理者上升，同时伴随着WT1启动子区域DNA甲基化水平的下降和未甲基化水平的升高。结论 WT1基因启动子区域DNA高甲基化是抑制其表达的机制之一。     

甲异靛对K562和HL-60细胞Wnt信号通路的影响

本研究探讨甲异靛对K562细胞和HL-60细胞Wnt信号通路的影响。采用RT-PCR和Western blot方法分别检测甲异靛处理的K562和HL-60细胞中GSK-3β及其下游相关基因及蛋白的表达水平。结果表明:甲异靛可使HL-60细胞中β-catenin和c-myc基因表达下降,但对K562细胞的这两种基因表达无明显影响;甲异靛略能增加HL-60细胞中GSK-3β蛋白表达,但明显降低K562细胞和HL-60细胞中p-GSK-3β和c-MYC蛋白表达水平;甲异靛对K562细胞中β-catenin表达没有明显影响,但能使HL-60细胞中β-catenin表达下降。结论甲异靛可抑制K562细胞和HL-60细胞中Wnt信号通路的传导,降低癌基因和相关蛋白的表达,从而发挥治疗白血病的作用。     

腺病毒介导PDCD5基因转移促进依托泊甙诱导的K562细胞凋亡

本研究观察程序性细胞死亡5基因（programmed cell death5，PDCD5）重组腺病毒转染K562细胞后对化疗药物依托泊甙的增敏作用。利用AdMax^TM腺病毒载体包装系统，通过同源重组方法构建Ad—PDCD5重组腺病毒及对照腺病毒Ad-null及Ad-eGFP；用不同感染复数将Ad-eGFP、Ad—null或Ad—PDCD5转染人白血病细胞系，实时定量PCR检测PDCD5 mRNA的相对表达水平；利用MTT法及Annexin-V-FITC／PI双染色流式细胞术观察依托泊甙对转染后K562细胞增殖与凋亡的影响。结果表明：Ad-eGFP腺病毒对白血病细胞系K562、Jurkat及CEM的转染效率可达60％-86％。Ad—PDCD5重组腺病毒能梯度增加K562细胞PDCD5mRNA的相对表达水平，腺病毒介导的PDCD5基因转移促进依托泊甙诱导的K562细胞凋亡。结论：PDCD5重组腺病毒可能成为化疗药物的增敏刑。[第一段]     

Sodium butyrate inhibits the self-renewal capacity of endometrial tumor side-population cells by inducing a DNA damage response

We previously isolated side-population (SP) cells from a human endometrial cancer cell line, Hec1, and determined that Hec1-SP cells have cancer stem-like cell features. In this study, we isolated SP cells and non-SP (NSP) cells derived from a rat endometrial cell line expressing human [(12)Val] KRAS (RK12V cells) and determined the SP phenotype. RK12V-SP cells showed self-renewal capacity, the potential to develop into stromal cells, reduced expression levels of differentiation markers, long-term proliferating capacity in cultures, and enhanced tumorigenicity, indicating that RK12V-SP cells have cancer stem-like cell features. RK12V-SP cells also display higher resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. In contrast, treatment with a histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitor, sodium butyrate (NaB), reduced self-renewal capacity and completely suppressed colony formation of RK12V-SP cells in a soft agar. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the number of γH2AX foci were increased by NaB treatment of both RK12V-SP cells and RK12V-NSP cells. The expression levels of γH2AX, p21, p27, and phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase were enhanced in RK12V-SP cells compared with RK12V-NSP cells. These results imply that treatment with NaB induced production of intracellular ROS and DNA damage in both RK12V-SP and RK12V-NSP cells. Following NaB treatment, DNA damage response signals were enhanced more in RK12V-SP cells than in RK12V-NSP cells. This is the first article on an inhibitory effect of NaB on proliferation of endometrial cancer stem-like cells. HDAC inhibitors may represent an attractive antitumor therapy based upon their inhibitory effects on cancer stem-like cells.     

Induction of terminal differentiation in human K562 erythroleukemia cells by arabinofuranosylcytosine

We have previously demonstrated that continuous exposure of human HL-60 human promyelocytes to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) results in the induction of terminal differentiation to monocyte-like cells. The present study extends these findings by demonstrating that ara-C induces hemoglobin synthesis in human K562 erythroleukemia cells. This effect occurs maximally at an ara-C concentration (5 X 10(-7) M) that results in K562 cytostasis. In contrast to the reversible effects of hemin and hydroxyurea on globin synthesis in this cell line, we have found that the induction of K562 hemoglobin synthesis by ara-C is irreversible. An induction of K562 hemoglobin synthesis also occurs with aphidicolin, another inhibitor of S-phase DNA synthesis, but not with vinblastine, an inhibitor of mitosis. Finally, ara-C induction of a differentiated K562 phenotype is accompanied by the loss of self-renewal capacity, a finding consistent with terminal differentiation.