Terminal differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells induced by dimethyl sulfoxide and other polar compounds.

A human leukemic cell line (designated HL-60) has recently been established from the peripheral blood leukocytes of a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia. This cell line displays distinct morphological and histochemical commitment towards myeloid differentiation. The cultured cells are predominantly promyelocytes, but the addition of dimethyl sulfoxide to the culture induces them to differentiate into myelocytes, metamyelocytes, and banded and segmented neutrophils. All 150 clones developed from the HL-60 culture show similar morphological differentiation in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide. Unlike the morphologically immature promyelocytes, the dimethyl sulfoxide-induced mature cells exhibit functional maturity as exemplified by phagocytic activity. A number of other compounds previously shown to induce erythroid differentiation of mouse erythroleukemia (Friend) cells can induce analogous maturation of the myeloid HL-60 cells. The marked similarity in behavior of HL-60 cells and Friend cells in the presence of these inducing agents suggests that similar molecular mechanisms are involved in the induction of differentiation of these human myeloid and murine erythroid leukemic cells.     

Induction of terminal differentiation in human promyelocytic leukemia cells by tumor-promoting agents.

Human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) were induced to differentiate into mature cells by the tumor-promoting agent phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and other related phorbol diesters. Differentiation was determined by an increase in the percent of myelocytes, metamyelocytes, and other mature myeloid cells as well as by an increase in the percent of phagocytizing cells. Induction of differentiation could be determined after 2 days of treatment with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate at a dose as low as 6 X 10(11) M. A correlation was found between reported tumor-promoting activity of a series of phorbol esters and their ability to induce myeloid differentiation and to inhibit cell growth. It is suggested that tumor-promoting agents like chemicals that induce terminal differentiation in these cells, at extremely low concentrations, may be used as a tool in the study of the control of cell growth, cell differentiation, and malignancy in human leukemic cells.     

Induction of differentiation in human promyelocytic leukemia cells by tumor promoters

Summary 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), the prototype polyfunctional diterpene ester tumor promoter of two-step carcinogenesis in mouse skin, induced differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) in culture.Differentiation of HL-60 cells was characterized by increased phagocytosis, increased lysozyme activity (EC 3.2.1.17) in the growth medium, and changes in morphology to those characteristics of more mature cells resembling macrophages. Many of the cells treated with TPA became aggregated, attaching firmly to culture flasks. The average intracellular myeloperoxidase activity (EC 1.11.1.7) per cell decreased during induction of differentiation by TPA. It was also found that TPA enhanced, rather than inhibited, differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by DMSO.In addition to TPA, several polyfunctional diterpene esters of the tigliane, ingenane, and daphnane type have been tested for their ability to induce morphological and functional changes of HL-60 cells. The activities of the compounds to induce these changes correlated well with their activities as tumor promoters in two-step carcinogenesis in mouse skin. In particular, half the concentrations required for induction of adhesion of the cells to flasks were roughly correlated to the potency of these compounds as tumor promoters. Among the compounds tested, phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (PDD), ingenol-3-hexadecanoate, Pimelea factor P₁ and Pimelea factor P₂ were as active as TPA, while 4-O-methyl-TPA and 4-PDD were much less active. Phorbol and ingenol were totally inactive up to a concentrations 10,000-fold higher than that of TPA.Abbreviations DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide - TPA 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate - PDD phorbol-12,13-didecanoate Partially supported by a grant-in-aid for cancer research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and a grant-in-aid for cancer research from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan     

Functional and morphological differentiation induction of a human megakaryoblastic leukemia cell line (MEG-01s) by phorbol diesters

The effect of differentiation induction by a tumor-promoting phorbol diester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on a clonal human megakaryoblastic cell line, MEG-O1s, was investigated, and a prominent response was demonstrated. The cells became weakly adherent, developed conspicuous cytoplasmic blebs, and displayed mature megakaryocytic characteristics by light microscopy such as the development of azurophilic cytoplasmic granules and a mosaic pattern of oxyphilic patches, multiplication of nuclei, and enhancement of the PAS reaction and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase staining. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated the development of prominent cytoplasmic blebs, budding of blebs, and multiplication of nuclei. Numerous granules with central nucleoids that are similar to alpha granules had developed as well as granules with high electron density and clearly demarcated zones. Surface marker analysis revealed a moderate increase in IgG Fc receptor levels and a profound decrease in C3 receptor sites. By an immunofluorescent technique using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, a dramatic change in the expression of several megakaryocyte-platelet-specific proteins was demonstrated. All the proteins that had been expressed before induction such as platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, factor XIIIA, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), and HLA class 1 antigen were profoundly enhanced after induction by TPA. Induction by TPA led to the expression of fibronectin and factor V, which were not detected on nontreated cells. An ultrastructural immunoperoxidase study demonstrated platelet GPIb and GPIIb/IIIa in both plasma membranes and protein synthesis areas such as perinuclear cisternae and endoplasmic reticulum after TPA induction. beta-TG was also observed in some cytoplasmic granules of TPA-treated cells. TPA remarkably increased the secretion of beta-TG into the culture medium of MEG-01s. Ploidy was also increased from 2C to 4C to 4C to 8C. Similar maturation of MEG-01s was induced by other phorbol diester analogues such as phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, but not by phorbol itself. These results indicate that phorbol diester, TPA, can bring about differentiation and maturation of a human megakaryoblastic cell line (MEG-01s) and that MEG-01s cells will provide a useful model for studying megakaryocytic differentiation and numerous megakaryocyte-platelet-specific proteins.     

Involvement of spermidine in proliferation and differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells

The polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine have been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Previous studies, however, have demonstrated that the polyamines are essential for proliferation, but not differentiation, of HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. We have extended these findings by demonstrating a highly significant relationship between intracellular spermidine levels and HL-60 proliferation. However, in contrast to previous studies, we have also demonstrated that induction of HL-60 differentiation with dimethyl sulfoxide, hexamethylene bisacetamide, butyric acid, or retinoic acid is inhibited by alpha-difluoromethyl ornithine (DFMO) depletion of intracellular putrescine and spermidine. Further, the addition of exogenous spermidine abrogates DFMO inhibition of HL-60 differentiation, thus confirming the involvement of this polyamine in the expression of a differentiated phenotype. The discrepancy between our results and those of previous studies probably stems from the nearly complete, rather than partial, depletion of intracellular spermidine achieved in the present work. The results of the present study thus demonstrate the involvement of spermidine in both proliferation and induction of HL-60 differentiation with certain agents.     

Early changes in phosphatidylcholine metabolism in human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells stimulated to differentiate by phorbol ester

The HL-60 leukemia cell line derived from a human acute promyelocytic leukemia is stimulated to differentiate into macrophages within 24-28 hr after exposure to the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate (TPA). We studied early alterations (within 90 min of exposure to TPA) in phosphatidylcholine metabolism in HL-60 cells and found that phosphatidylcholine synthesis by methylation is phosphatidylethanolamine was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, synthesis of phosphatidylcholine from endogenous choline was enhanced and correlated inversely with the degree of inhibition of the methylation pathway. Phorbol ester congeners of TPA caused similar alterations in phosphatidylcholine metabolism in direct relationship to their capacity to induce differentiation in HL-60 cells. Perturbation of phosphatidylcholine metabolism is an early membrane even in TPA- induced HL-60 cell differentiation.     

Retinoic acid is required for and potentiates differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells by nonretinoid agents

Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) associated with the t(15;17) translocation and fusion of the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) and retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR-alpha) genes achieve complete remission but not cure with all-trans retinoic acid (RA), NB4, a cell line derived from a patient with t(15;17) APL that undergoes granulocytic differentiation when treated with pharmacologic doses of RA, was used as a model for differentiation therapy of APL. We found that NB4 cells are resistant to differentiation by nonretinoid inducers such as hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA), butyrates, vitamin D3, or hypoxanthine, all of which can induce differentiation in the commonly used HL60 leukemia cell line. Preexposure of NB4 cells to low concentrations of RA for a period as short as 30 minutes abolished resistance to nonretinoids and potentiated differentiation. Sequential RA and HMBA treatment yielded maximal differentiation by 3 days of drug exposure, whereas the effect of RA alone peaked after 6 days and yielded a smaller percentage of differentiated cells. RA also reversed NB4 cell resistance to butyrates and allowed for synergistic differentiation by these agents. Pretreatment with HMBA before exposure to RA failed to stimulate differentiation. Sequential RA/HMBA treatment also markedly increased the extent of differentiation of primary cultures of bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from three APL patients. In one case RA/HMBA treatment overcame resistance to RA in vitro. Together, these results suggest that intermittent low doses of RA followed by either HMBA or butyrates may be a useful combination in the treatment of APL. This clinical strategy may help prevent or overcome RA resistance in APL.     

Down regulation of specific binding of [20-3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and phorbol ester-induced differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Binding of [20-3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDB) to intact human promyelocytic leukemia cells susceptible (HL-60) or resistant (R-35) to phorbol ester-induced differentiation was characterized. Specific binding of [3H]PDB to both HL-60 and R-35 cells at 37 degrees C reached a maximum within 15-20 min. Maximal specific [3H]PDB binding to HL-60 cells was followed by a decline (down regulation) of radioactivity. This down regulation was temperature dependent, because no loss of radiolabel occurred by 1 hr at 4 degrees C. The down regulation of bound [3H]PDB seen in HL-60 cells at 37 degrees C was not observed with R-35 cells. Prior exposure of the HL-60 cells but not of R-35 cells to 1 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate for 90 min at 37 degrees C caused a marked reduction in the specific binding of [3H]PDB. When [3H]PDB binding was carried out at 4 degrees C, [3H]PDB bound to both cell types in a rapid, specific, and reversible manner. At equilibrium, HL-60 and R-35 cells were found to contain almost the same number of binding sites, which had dissociation constants of about 50 nM, indicating that the failure of R-35 cells to undergo PDB-induced differentiation was not associated with any change in the affinity or in the number of [3H]PDB binding sites. These results indicate that the down regulation of specific [3H]PDB binding may be a crucial early event in the control of phorbol ester-induced terminal differentiation in HL-60 cells. Furthermore, we suggest that such down regulation may be involved in other cellular and biochemical effects of phorbol diester tumor promoters.     

Induction of Tac antigen and proliferation of myeloid leukemic cells by ATL-derived factor: comparison with other agents that promote differentiation of human myeloid or monocytic leukemic cells

We studied seven cases of myeloid leukemia at various differentiation stages to investigate the response of leukemic cells to phorbol 12- myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and various biological factors. gamma- Interferon (gamma-IFN)-treated cells expressed higher amounts of Fc receptors on leukemic cells in five out of seven cases. Expression of HLA-DR antigen of gamma-IFN-treated leukemic cells was significantly enhanced in three cases. PMA did not induce Fc receptors or HLA-DR antigen on these cells. Induction of Tac antigen, a putative interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptor, was observed in two cases after cultivation with PMA or with a novel lymphokine, adult T cell leukemia- derived factor (ADF). Cells from one of these patients expressed Tac antigen immediately after cell separation, and expression of Tac antigen was augmented by PMA and ADF. Interleukin 1 (IL 1) or IL 2 did not induce Tac antigen. Leukemic cells from this patient also proliferated vigorously in the presence of ADF but not PMA, IL 1, or IL 2.     

Granulocytic differentiation of HL60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells is preceded by a reduction in levels of inositol lipid-derived second messengers

We have labeled HL60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells to isotopic equilibrium with [1-3H]glycerol or myo-[2-3H]inositol in order to determine the molar ratios of glycerol lipid species and of inositol-containing lipids and water-soluble compounds, respectively. The cellular content of diacylglycerol (DAG) and of inositol phosphates (IPs) declined significantly following induction of granulocytic differentiation by dimethylsulfoxide. Changes in levels of these compounds preceded the withdrawal of induced cells from the proliferative cycle. Because DAG and IPs are important biochemical second messengers in the regulation of cell proliferation, these observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the constitutive generation of these compounds may contribute to the deregulated proliferation of HL60 cells and that their reduced production may be associated with the cessation of proliferation which precedes morphological differentiation of these cells.     

Differentiation of human T-lymphoid leukemia cells into cells that have a suppressor phenotype is induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate.

Treatment of cultured human T-lymphoid (CEM) leukemia cells with nanomolar concentrations of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) resulted in a reduction in cell growth and in the acquisition of a surface antigenic pattern that is common to both suppressor and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This antigenic pattern was detected by OKT monoclonal antibodies. PMA treatment did not cause the expression of a cytotoxic function but rather induced the expression of a suppressor cell marker. This marker was characterized by the ability of the treated CEM cells to suppress [3H]thymidine incorporation into phytohemagglutinin-activated peripheral blood lymphocytes. After 4 days of treatment of CEM cells from either cloned or the parental cell population with 16 nM PMA, 71-98% of the cells expressed reactivity with OKT3 and OKT8 antibodies whereas reactivity with OKT4 and OKT6 was detected in less than or equal to 1-8% of the cells. The CEM cells can be divided into five groups based on the antigenic patterns of cells from randomly isolated clones. The cells from four of these groups were characterized by either low or high reactivity with each of the four OKT antibodies. The antigenic pattern of the fifth group resembled that of the parent CEM cells. The acquisition of reactivity with the OKT3 antibody in the CEM cells after PMA treatment was dependent on both time and dose and did not require cell replication. Acquisition of reactivity with OKT3 antibody also occurred after treatment with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate but not after treatment with phorbol 13-monoacetate, phorbol 12,13-diacetate, or dimethyl sulfoxide. These results indicate that treatment of CEM cells with PMA and related agents can cause the cells to express a phenotype that resembles that of a mature suppressor T lymphocyte.     

Translocation of protein kinase C in human leukemia cells susceptible or resistant to differentiation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate.

We investigated the possible relationship between the susceptibility of cells to differentiation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and the subcellular translocation of calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) activity from the cytosol to the membrane. These two events were analyzed in a number of human leukemia cell lines, including four cell variants of the promyelocytic cell line HL-60 that exhibit different degrees of susceptibility to PMA-induced differentiation. The phenotype of the differentiated cells was characterized by increased reactivity with monoclonal antibodies against maturation-specific cell surface antigens, increased nonspecific esterase activity, and acquisition of morphological cell maturation. Analysis of the subcellular distribution of protein kinase C activity in each of these cell types revealed that 90% of the kinase activity was present in the cytosolic fraction, with the remaining activity in the membrane fraction. Treatment of the differentiation-susceptible cells with 160 nM PMA resulted, within 5 min after treatment, in a greater than 60% decrease in protein kinase C activity in the cytosolic fraction and a greater than 1500% increase in the activity in the membrane fraction. No such subcellular redistribution of protein kinase C activity was found after treatment of the differentiation-resistant cells. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that the process of subcellular translocation of protein kinase C activity, initiated after the binding of PMA to this kinase, is required for the induction of cell differentiation by this phorbol diester.     

Bryostatin, an activator of the calcium phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, blocks phorbol ester-induced differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60.

Phorbol esters bind to and activate a calcium phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (C kinase). Some researchers believe that activation of C kinase is necessary for the induction of phorbol ester biologic effects. Our research indicates that bryostatin, a macrocyclic lactone that binds to the phorbol ester receptor in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, also binds to this receptor in the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60. Bryostatin activates partially purified C kinase from HL-60 cells in vitro, and when applied to HL-60 cells in vivo, it decreases measurable cytoplasmic C kinase activity. Unlike the phorbol esters, bryostatin is unable to induce a macrophage-like differentiation of HL-60 cells; however, bryostatin, in a dose-dependent fashion, blocks phorbol ester-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells and, if applied within 48 hr of phorbol esters, halts further differentiation. These results suggest that activation of the C kinase by some agents is not sufficient for induction of HL-60 cell differentiation and imply that some of the biologic effects of phorbol esters may occur through a more complex mechanism than previously thought.     

Polyamines in 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol-induced differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells, HL-60

The human promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60, differentiated into macrophage/monocytes in the presence of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3], as assessed by the percentage of morphologically mature cells and their ability to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium. In this study of the mechanism involved, the activities of ornithine decarboxylase and spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase (SAT), the rate-limiting enzymes of polyamine metabolism, as well as the cellular levels of polyamine were measured. ODC activity reached a peak 24 h after the addition of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 and then decreased, while SAT activity gradually increased as differentiation commenced. An increase in putrescine and decreases in spermidine and spermine were also observed. Addition of alpha-difluoromethylornithine, an irreversible inhibitor of ODC, with or without methylglyoxalbis(guanylhydrazone), an inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, caused no effect on 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced cell differentiation, although the cellular levels of putrescine and spermidine decreased markedly. Addition of alpha-difluoromethylornithine markedly suppressed cell proliferation; this effect was reversed by the addition of exogenous putrescine. Addition of exogenous spermidine or spermine to overcome activation of SAT also had no effect on 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced cell differentiation. These results suggest both that polyamine metabolism is not important in 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells, but that it is intimately involved in the proliferation of these cells.     

Specific receptors for phorbol diesters on freshly isolated human myeloid and lymphoid leukemia cells: comparable binding characteristics despite different cellular responses

Freshly isolated human leukemia cells have been shown in the past to display varying in vitro responses to phorbol diesters, depending on their cell type. Specific receptors for the phorbol diesters have been demonstrated on numerous different cells. This study was designed to characterize the receptors for phorbol diesters on leukemia cells freshly isolated from patients with different kinds of leukemia and to determine if differences in binding characteristics for tritium-labeled phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (3H-PDBu) accounted for the different cellular responses elicited in vitro by phorbol diesters. Cells from 26 patients with different kinds of leukemia were studied. PDBu or phorbol 12- myristate 13-acetate (PMA) caused cells from patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), acute promyelocytic (APML), acute myelomonocytic (AMML), acute monocytic (AMoL), acute erythroleukemia (AEL), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) in blast crisis (myeloid), acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL), and hairy cell leukemia (HCL) (n = 15) to adhere to plastic and spread. However, they caused no adherence or spreading and only slight aggregation of cells from patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), or CML-blast crisis (lymphoid) (n = 11). All leukemia cells studied, irrespective of cellular type, displayed specific receptors for 3H-PDBu. The time courses for binding by all leukemia types were similar, with peak binding at 5-10 min at 37 degrees C and 120 min at 4 degrees C. The binding affinities were similar for patients with ALL (96 +/- 32 nM, n = 4), CLL (126 +/- 32 nM, n = 6), and acute nonlymphoid leukemia (73 +/- 14 nM, n = 11). Likewise, the numbers of specific binding sites/cell were comparable for the patients with ALL (6.2 +/- 1.3 X 10(5) sites/cell, n = 4), CLL (5.0 +/- 2.0 X 10(5) sites/cell, n = 6), and acute nonlymphoid leukemia (4.4 +/- 1.9 X 10(5) sites/cell, n = 11). Thus, the differing responses to phorbol diesters of various types of freshly isolated leukemia cells appear to be due to differences other than initial ligand-receptor binding.     

Human promyelocytic leukemia cells in culture differentiate into macrophage-like cells when treated with a phorbol diester.

When suspension cultures of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (line HL60) were treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA; 1.6-160 nM), more than 80% of the cells adhered to the plastic substrate within 24 hr. Within the same time period the immature azurophilic granulations typical of HL60 promyelocytic cells disappeared and the nuclear chromatin became more condensed, but the nucleolus was retained. The attached cells stopped dividing and synthesizing DNA. The phenomenon was irreversible and independent of the continuous presence of TPA. Approximately 60% of the untreated cells and of TPA-treated cells bore surface Fc receptors for IgG. Under the experimental conditions used, about 10% of the TPA-treated cells were also able to phagocytize IgG-coated erythrocytes and more than 80% were able to phagocytize latex beads, but untreated controls were unable to do so. Cellular levels of NADase, acid phosphatase, and non-specific esterase were markedly increased after treatment with TPA, whereas little or no increase was seen after treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO), a drug that induces myeloid differentiation of HL60 cells. Peroxidase activity was lower in TPA-treated and Me2SO-treated cells than in HL60 cells. More lysozyme was found in the medium of TPA-treated cells than in the medium of untreated or Me2SO-treated cells. These data indicate that, after treatment with TPA, human promyelocytic leukemia cells can differentiate into cells that have several characteristics of macrophages.     

Modulation of estrogen receptors by phorbol diesters in human breast MCF-7 cell line

Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) results in an inhibition of cell proliferation and a reduction in the number of estrogen receptors (ER), shown by binding studies and immunoassay. The decrease in ER concentration induced by phorbol ester derivatives parallels their growth inhibitory effect. Moreover, the estrogen receptor of TPA-resistant RPh4 cells (which are insensitive to the antiproliferative and morphological effects of TPA) is not affected by TPA treatment. The reduction in ER concentration appear to be a specific phenomenon since it contrasted with the 2-fold increase in total cell protein content which included an increase in progesterone receptor (PgR). We also found that addition of TPA does not affect estrogen induction of PgR.