Modulation of retinoic acid-induced differentiation of human leukemia (HL-60) cells by serum factors and sphinganine

The human cell line HL-60 was used to investigate the role of protein kinase C in the regulation of retinoic acid-induced maturation of promyelocytic leukemia cells by growth and differentiation factors found in serum. Cells grown in serum-containing medium differentiated less than cells in serum-free medium due to several factors, including albumin binding of retinoic acid. Addition of an inhibitor (sphinganine) of protein kinase C, an enzyme that participates in cellular responses to many serum factors, facilitated the retinoic acid-induced differentiation. Cells treated with both retinoic acid and sphinganine produced more superoxide when stimulated by formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine; hence, this combination generated a more functional population of cells. The ability of sphinganine to promote retinoic acid-induced differentiation suggests that retinoic acid therapy might be improved by the concurrent use of a modulator of protein kinase C activity.     

Tannic acid-induced apoptosis and -enhanced sensitivity to arsenic trioxide in human leukemia HL-60 cells

Tannic acid (TA), a glucoside of gallic acid polymer, has been shown to possess anti-bacterial, anti-enzymatic, anti-tumor and astringent properties. However, the anti-cancer activity of TA in leukemia is still obscure. In this study, we showed TA-induced apoptotic death in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) HL-60 cells via dose- and time-dependent manner as well as increase of sub-G1 fraction, chromosome condensation, and DNA fragmentation. Further analysis demonstrated the involvement of activation of caspase cascade, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and release of Cytochrome C, in TA-induced apoptosis. These effects were probably associated with the increase of intracellular superoxide in mitochondrial signaling pathway which attributed to the down-regulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Notably, a low dose of TA is sufficient to aggravate arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3))-induced cytotoxicity in HL-60 cells. Altogether, this study suggested the effects of TA to induce apoptosis in HL-60 and therapeutic potential in AML by being an adjunct to As(2)O(3).     

Study of Bcl-2 siRNA Enhancement of Sensitivity of HL-60 Cells to All Trans Retinoic Acid

OBJECTIVE To study whether siRNA targeting against the Bcl-2 gene can enhance sensitivity of HL-60 cells to all trans retinoic acid(ATRA). METHODS siRNA,which is a leading sequence selected by previous experiments,was transferred into HL-60 cells.At 6 h after transfection,the cells were cultured with ATRA.The cell growth of the HL-60 cells was measured by the MTT assay at 24, 48,72 h.The level of the Bcl-2 protein and ROS(reactive oxygen species)as well as membrane potential of the mitochondria were determined by flowcytometry. RESULTS siRNA significantly increased the inhibitory effect of ATRA on growth of the HL-60 cells.The combination of siRNA with ATRA resulted in a decrease in the Bcl-2 protein level and an increase in the ROS level as well as significantly lowering the mitochondrial membrane potential of the HL-60 cells(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Effective siRNA targeting of Bcl-2 increases the sensitivity of HL-60 leukemic cells to ATRA by inhibiting the expression of the Bcl-2 protein.     

Quantitative morphological aspects of granulocytic differentiation induced in HL-60 cells by dimethylsulfoxide and retinoic acid

HL-60 cells differentiate to mature granulocytes when cultured with DMSO or retinoic acid. These two drugs can induce different expression of phenotypic or functional properties in these cells. The morphological characteristics of the differentiation sequences elicited by these two drugs have been therefore evaluated by a quantitative cytological analysis technique using a SAMBA 200 cell image processor. The maturation sequences induced by DMSO or retinoic acid differed mainly in nuclear geometry and cytoplasmic granules expression. Multivariate statistical analyses of data reveal that DMSO and retinoic acid elicited granulocytic maturation through two separate morphological pathways which can be individualized as early as 24 hr after differentiation induction. Image processing may therefore offer an interesting tool for studying new drugs with differentiation potential in chemotherapy.     

Inhibition of the cytochrome P-450 modulates all-trans-retinoic acid-induced differentiation and apoptosis of HL-60 cells

We studied the effects of inhibition of cytochrome P-450 by proadifen (SKF525A) on the processes induced in myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells by all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). The parameters reflecting cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry as the principal method at selected time intervals (24-96 hours). Changes in the expression of Bcl-2 protein were detected by Western blotting. The majority of experiments were designed as a factorial combination of the treatment and assessed for significance of the interactions. Proadifen was demonstrated synergistically (1) to potentiate the antiproliferative and differentiation effects of ATRA, and (2) to increase cell viability and prevent ATRA-induced apoptosis. Moreover, proadifen weakened ATRA-induced downregulation of the Bcl-2 protein. Our results may be of practical importance because cytochrome P-450 inhibitors are used clinically in treating cancer patients. Assuming that effects on the leukemic cells in vivo would be similar, this type of combined therapy could help to achieve better results even with lower doses of ATRA.     

Reversible effects of retinoic acid on glycosaminoglycan synthesis during differentiation of HL-60 leukemia cells

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) play an important role in cell-cell and cell-substratum interactions, and undergo specific changes during neutrophil development. Previous studies (Luikart, S.D., Maniglia, C. A., and Sartorelli, A. C. Cancer Res., 44: 2907-2912, 1984) have shown that both dimethyl sulfoxide and 4-beta-phorbol-12-beta-myristate-13-alpha-acetate decreased GAG production by a hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase-deficient clone of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells prior to the appearance of a mature myeloid or monocytoid phenotype. To expand these investigations further, GAGs were analyzed by cetylpyridinium chloride precipitation and DEAE-Sephacel ion-exchange chromatography after labeling of parental HL-60 cultures with [35S]sulfate and D-[3H]glucosamine for 6 h, following treatment with 1 microM all-trans retinoic acid (RA). Chondroitin sulfate represented the major GAG species produced, although endo-beta-galactosidase-sensitive undersulfated macromolecules which possibly might be keratan sulfate, were also identified. GAG production decreased over a time period of 144 h in culture. RA treatment reduced the amount of radiolabeled cell-associated GAGs by 50% after 48, 96, and 144 h of exposure. In contrast, commitment to myelocytic maturation of the majority (i.e., approximately 60%) of the cells occurred between 72 and 96 h of RA treatment. Concurrently with the appearance of mature granulocytic cells, two-thirds of the radiolabeled GAGs were recovered from the medium, compared to one-third in untreated cultures, a phenomenon that resulted in an overall alteration in the distribution of GAGs. When RA was removed by washing after either 48 h (i.e., precommitment to differentiation) or 96 h (i.e., postcommitment to differentiation), a 1.5- to 3.5-fold increase in GAG production was noted 48 h later; this increase was unrelated to the medium change or to alterations in cell cycle distribution. The amounts of endo-beta-galactosidase-sensitive macromolecules were unaltered. Thus, although 1 microM RA inhibited the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate by HL-60 leukemia cells, this inhibition was reversible by removal of the drug and appeared to be unrelated to the commitment to myelocytic maturation.     

Characterization of two novel retinoic acid-resistant cell lines derived from HL-60 cells following long-term culture with all-trans-retinoic acid.

Either all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) or vitamin D3 (VD) induces differentiation of the myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60. RA is available for the treatment of acute promyeloleukemia, although the development of resistance to the agent is a serious problem for differentiation-inducing therapy. To approach the mechanisms of resistance to RA, we developed two novel cell lines, HL-60-R2 and R9, which were subcloned after exposure to increasing concentrations of RA. The growth rate of HL-60-R2 cells was significantly increased by RA treatment, whereas the growth rate of HL-60-R9 was not affected. RA induces apoptosis in the parental HL-60 cells. The number of apoptotic cells, however, was not increased and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction was not altered by 1 microM RA in either of the cloned cell lines. Treatment with VD induced monocytic differentiation and increased the expression of CD11b in HL-60 and HL-60-R9 cells, but not in HL-60-R2 cells. Flow cytometric and G-banding analysis demonstrated that R2 cells were near-triploid. The sequencing analysis revealed a deletion of three nucleotides in the sequence of the RAR alpha gene in HL-60-R9 cells, resulting in deletion of codon 286. No mutation was found in HL-60-R2 cells. Taken together, these data indicate that the resistance to RA is caused by the mutation in RAR alpha of HL-60-R9, but by other factor(s), which also affect the VD-response pathways, in HL-60-R2. The abnormal response to VD may be associated with the abnormal ploidy of the R2 cells.     

Retinoid X receptor alpha is highly phosphorylated in retinoic acid-resistant HL-60R cells and the combination of 9-cis retinoic acid plus MEK inhibitor induces apoptosis in the cells

We examined the effects of 9-cis retinoic acid (RA) on the expression levels of retinoid X receptor alpha (RXR alpha) and its phosphorylated form (p-RXR alpha) in HL-60 and HL-60R cells. 9-cis RA reduced both RXR alpha and p-RXR alpha in HL-60 cells, but did neither in HL-60R cells. However, when the HL-60R cells were treated with the combination of 9-cis RA plus PD98059, MEK inhibitor, the p-RXR alpha and RXR alpha proteins all markedly decreased. Moreover, the combination of those agents induced apoptosis in HL-60R cells. Phosphorylation of RXR alpha might be associated with RA-resistance in HL-60R cells.     

HL－60细胞诱导分化后血管内皮生长因子表达变化分子机制的探讨

目的探讨全反式维甲酸（ATRA）诱导HL-60细胞分化模型中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）表达调控的分子机制,为白血病的抗血管新生治疗提供新的靶点。方法Wright—Gimesa染色观察细胞形态,硝基四唑氮蓝（NBT）还原实验检测HL-60细胞分化,逆转录－聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）、蛋白质印记（Westernblot）分别从mRNA和蛋白水平检测细胞VEGF、信号转导和转录激活因子-3（STA33）、c-myc的表达变化。结果1μmolATRA作用于HL-60细胞96h后可明显抑制细胞增殖,并出现明显的分化现象,倒置显微镜下可观察到细胞向成熟粒细胞方向分化;NBT阳性率为82．59％（t=－24．157,P〈0．01）;VEGFmRNA表达水平下降（t=7．339,P〈0．05）、STAT3mRNA表达水平下降（t=3．667,P〈0．05）、c—mycmRNA表达水平下降（t=6．858,P〈0．05）。VEGF蛋白表达水平下降（t=3．386,P〈0．05）、STA33蛋白表达水平下降（t=4．074,P〈0．05）、c-myc蛋白表达水平下降（t=3．333,P〈0．05）。结论在ATRA诱导HL-60细胞分化的模型中VEGF的表达水平随诱导分化的进程而下降,其下调机制可能与STAT3、c—myc具有相关性。     

c-myc down regulation and precommitment in HL-60 cells due to bromodeoxyuridine

HL-60 human nonlymphocytic leukemia cells undergo terminal differentiation along either the myeloid or monocytic pathway in a process previously shown to involve two sequential steps, early events leading to a precommitment state and late events leading to onset of terminal differentiation. The present report shows that bromodeoxyuridine induces the early events leading to precommitment. In this course bromodeoxyuridine causes the rapid down regulation of the c-myc protooncogene. The course is similar to other common inducers of HL-60 differentiation including retinoic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and sodium butyrate. HL-60 cells which were initially exponentially proliferating were exposed to 10 microM bromodeoxyuridine for 24 h, a period corresponding to one division cycle in these cells. When the cells were subsequently exposed to either retinoic acid or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, onset of G1/0 specific growth arrest and display of the differentiated phenotype occurred within 24 h. This is in contrast to the 48-h exposure needed for onset of terminal differentiation if either inducer is used singly during continuous exposure, as has been reported previously. Thus bromodeoxyuridine consummated the early events, including the rapid down regulation of c-myc message levels, which occur during the first division cycle of the induced cellular metabolic cascade leading to onset of terminal differentiation. The ability of bromodeoxyuridine to drive events in the metabolic cascade leading to onset of terminal differentiation was specific for early events, inasmuch as it was relatively ineffective at driving late events. Down regulation of c-myc was not in itself sufficient to result in subsequent terminal differentiation, since pulse exposure to bromodeoxyuridine followed by culture in inducer free medium resulted in little G1/0 specific growth arrest or phenotypic differentiation. Continuous exposure to bromodeoxyuridine, in contrast, resulted in significant G1/0 specific growth arrest but little phenotypic differentiation, indicating that the regulation of cell cycle transit and differentiation are separable.     

Relationship of c-myc expression to differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 cells

We have compared changes in c-myc expression in HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells induced to differentiate by dimethyl sulfoxide or growth inhibited in an undifferentiated state. Under these conditions, c-myc expression did not correlate with the proportion of proliferating cells. The kinetics of the decrease in c-myc expression upon differentiation induction is paralleled closely by an increasing proportion of histochemically detected differentiated myeloid cells and by a decrease in clonogenic potential but not by changes in the proportion of proliferating cells. Changes in c-myc expression subsequent to differentiation induction can therefore be directly related to the differentiation process rather than to a cell cycle-related phenomenon.     

Granulocytic differentiation induced by retinoic acid in HL-60 cells is associated with changes in adenylate cyclase activity

The effect of all-trans Retinoic Acid (RA) on the activity of membrane bound adenylate cyclase (AC) of human malignant cell lines (HL-60 and U-937) was studied. Granulocytic terminal differentiation of the HL-60 cells was correlated to an increase of AC activity and to a potentiation of guanosine 5' triphosphate (GTP) inhibitory effects on the enzyme activity. No direct in vitro effect of RA on HL-60 membranes was found. Monocytic terminal differentiation obtained on 1 B-D arabinofuranosyl cytosine (Ara-C) treated HL-60 cells, or on RA treated U-937 cells, did not modify AC activity. The results here reported suggest relations between the modification of GTP binding protein activity and RA induced granulocytic differentiation of malignant cells.     

Alterations in histone phosphorylation in HL-60 cells specific to monocytic differentiation

In order to examine the role of histone phosphorylation in regulation of the pathway of HL-60 cell differentiation, cells were labelled with [32P]phosphoric acid and histones fractionated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The monocytic inducer 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was found to specifically stimulate phosphorylation of histone H2B in a concentration-dependent manner. At a concentration of 100 mM, H2B phosphorylation was stimulated 2.3-fold after 4 h. A second monocytic inducer 1,25-dihydroxy-cholecalciferol (100 nM) also induced phosphorylation specifically in histone H2B. In contrast, the granulocytic inducers DMSO (1.5%) or retinoic acid (1 microM) did not increase phosphorylation in any histone species.     

Rab15 expression correlates with retinoic acid-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and accounts for 15% of pediatric cancer deaths. Although retinoic acid (RA) is currently used to treat high-risk neuroblastoma patients in the clinic, RA-responsiveness is variable and unpredictable. Since no alterations in the RA-signaling pathway have been found in neuroblastoma cells, molecules correlated with RA-induced differentiation will provide predictive markers of RA-responsiveness for clinical use. The Rab family of small G proteins are key regulators of membrane traffic and play a critical role in cell differentiation and cancer progression. Although an increasing number of cancer-associated alternative splicing events have been identified, alternative splicing of Rab proteins remains to be characterized in neuroblastoma. In the present study, we focused on Rab15 that was originally identified as a brain-specific Rab protein and regulates the endocytic recycling pathway. We identified alternatively spliced Rab15 isoforms designated as Rab15CN and Rab15AN in neuroblastoma cells. Rab15CN was composed of 7 exons encoding 212 amino acids and showed brain-specific expression. Alternative splicing of exon 4 generated Rab15AN that was predicted to encode 208 amino acids and was predominantly expressed in testis. RA induced neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma BE(2)-C cells and specifically up-regulated Rab15CN expression. Reciprocally, RA-induced differentiation was observed in Rab15CN-expressing BE(2)-C cells in preference to Rab15AN-expressing BE(2)-C cells. Furthermore, Rab15CN expression was also specifically up-regulated during RA-induced differentiation of newly established neuroblastoma cells from high-risk patients. These results suggest that Rab15 expression correlates with RA-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.     

Induction of differentiation in HL-60 cells by retinoic acid and lymphocyte-derived differentiation-inducing factor but not by recombinant G-CSF and GM-CSF

Various concentrations of retinoic acid (RA, 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁷ M), lymphocyte-derived differentiation-inducing factor (DIF, 10–30%), and recombinant human G-CSF (100–4000 U/ml) and GM-CSF (100–4000 U/ml) were used to induce the differentiation of the HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Retinoic acid at a concentration of 10⁻⁷M could significantly inhibit the growth of HL-60 cells both in suspension and in soft agar cultures, and induced these cells to differentiate into mature granulocytes capable of reducing nitro-blue tetrazolium and ingesting latex beads. Thirty per cent (v/v) DIF was also an effective inducer of HL-60 cell differentiation, but it triggered the cells to mature into monocytes rather than granulocytes. In contrast, rG-CSF and rGM-CSF had no growth inhibitory effect on HL-60 cells either in suspension or in agar cultures at all concentrations tested, nor could these factors induce HL-60 cells to acquire the more mature granulocytic or monocytic phenotypes. Furthermore, rG-CSF/rGM-CSF had no differentiation-enhancing effect when added to RA-containing HL-60 cultures. These results argue against the efficacy of using CSFs for the treatment of myelocytic leukemia based on the principle of differentiation induction.     

Effect of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and retinoic acid on differentiation and c-myc expression in HL-60 myeloid leukemic cells.

The antineoplastic effects of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-CdR) and retinoic acid on human HL-60 myeloid leukemic cells were investigated. 5-AZA-CdR or retinoic acid reduced the clonogenicity and induced the differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells. The effects produced by 5-AZA-CdR and retinoic acid in combination on clonogenicity and differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells were additive. These agents in combination also produced an additive decrease in the mRNA expression of the c-myc. These data indicate that 5-AZA-CdR and retinoic acid in combination produce an additive antineoplastic effect against HL-60 human myeloid leukemic cells.