Control of cell differentiation during proliferation. II. Myeloid differentiation and cell cycle arrest of HL-60 promyelocytes preceded by nuclear structural changes

The time-dependent dynamics of nuclear structure, cell cycle transit and arrest, and cellular differentiation were studied using the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60. Myeloid differentiation of HL-60 cells was induced by 10(-6) M beta, all trans, retinoic acid (RA). During exponential growth the cells had G1, S, G2 and M durations of 9, 11, 0.5 and 0.5 h respectively. Significant growth arrest in the G1/0 phase of the cell cycle was apparent after 48 h of RA exposure or after two division cycles. Thereafter, cells arrested in G1/0 with wide dispersion in times of arrest which extended over several cell cycle generation times. The kinetics of phenotypic differentiation, detected by phorbol myristate acetate inducible superoxide production, paralleled those of G1/0 growth arrest with similar lag and dispersion. These kinetics are consistent with a model hypothesizing the existence of an S-phase differentiation control (DC) point regulating both terminal proliferation and differentiation. Before any cell differentiation or termination of cell proliferation occurred, the nuclei of RA-treated cells underwent a structural change detected by narrow-angle light scatter measured with flow cytometry. Narrow-angle light scatter was transiently reduced, reaching a nadir at 24-48 h and returning to control values at 96 h. This change was independent of cell cycle phase or total nuclear protein content. It was associated with a morphological change of the nuclear membrane from a smooth to dimpled or pitted structure. These findings focus attention on the potential significance of nuclear structural reorganization as an early event during cell differentiation.     

Protein kinase C-beta, fibronectin, alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are required for phorbol diester-induced apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia cells.

The human myeloid HL-60 cell line and its cell variant HL-525 were used to study signaling events leading to apoptosis induction by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC) enzymes. Unlike parental cells, HL-525 cells are PKC-beta deficient and resistant to PMA-induced apoptosis. These cells regain susceptibility to apoptosis induction after transfection with a PKC-beta expression vector. By using this vector and specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), it was established that PMA-induced apoptosis also called for an interaction between cell-surface alpha(5)beta(1)-integrin and its deposited ligand fibronectin (FN), which is downstream of PKC-beta activation. Experiments with mAbs, the PKC-beta vector, and exogenous FN revealed that the next step entailed an interaction between secreted tumor necrosis factor-alpha and its type I receptor. By using a sphingomyelinase inhibitor, it was concluded that the subsequent step involved ceramide production. Moreover, a permeable ceramide was effective in inducing apoptosis in both HL-60 and HL-525 cells, and this induction was caspase-1 and/or -4 dependent because an inhibitor of these caspases abrogated the induced apoptosis. Based on these and related differentiation studies, we conclude that the above signaling events, the early ones in particular, are shared with PMA-induced macrophage differentiation in the HL-60 cells. It is likely that once these cells acquire their macrophage phenotype and perform their tasks, they become superfluous and are eliminated from the body by a self-triggered apoptotic process that involves our proposed signaling scheme.     

Decreased expression of type II protein kinase C in HL-60 variant cells resistant to induction of cell differentiation by phorbol diester

To evaluate the molecular basis for susceptibility of the cell differentiation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), we examined biochemical activities and expression of subspecies of protein kinase C from HL-60 cells that are susceptible to differentiation induced by TPA and HL-60R cells, HL-60 variant cells that are resistant to such induction. Analysis of the subcellular distribution of protein kinase C revealed that the activity of this kinase in the cytosol from HL-60R cells was 30% of that from parental HL-60 cells but that the enzyme activities in the membrane showed similar values in these cells. Treatment of HL-60 cells with 100 nM TPA for 30 min resulted in a 75% decrease in protein kinase C activity in the cytosol and a 300% increase in this activity in the membrane. A minor subcellular redistribution of the enzyme activity was found in HL-60R cells after TPA treatment. Based on analysis of protein kinase C isozymes by hydroxyapatite column chromatography, the relative activities of types I, II, and III in the cytosol of HL-60 cells were 11, 80, and 9%, whereas those in HL-60R cells were 27, 36, and 37%, respectively. Type II isozyme was a major protein kinase C in the cytosol of HL-60 cells, but type II was less in the HL-60R cells. Among the three isozymes, type II enzyme was most sensitive to TPA with histone H1 as the substrate, although all three isozymes were activated Ca2+-dependently in the presence of phosphatidylserine. We suggest that the acquired resistance of HL-60R cells toward induction of cell differentiation by TPA may be associated with a decrease in the expression of the type II isozyme of protein kinase C.     

Specific protein phosphorylation in human promyelocytic HL-60 leukemia cells susceptible or resistant to induction of cell differentiation by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate

The pattern of protein phosphorylation induced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in human HL-60 leukemia cells, which are susceptible to induction of cell differentiation by PMA, and in cells from an HL-60 cell variant designated R-94 that are resistant to such an induction. Protein phosphorylation was detected by observing either a rapid acid-directed charge shift of [35S]methionine-labeled protein or an increase in the amount of phosphate label in a 32P-labeled protein. The results indicated that PMA at 10(-7) M causes within 30 min after treatment the phosphorylation of at least ten different proteins in both the HL-60 and R-94 cells. Among these ten phosphorylated proteins, we identified a major cytoplasmic polypeptide (Mr approximately 64,000), a cytoskeletal protein (Mr approximately 56,000), a nonmuscle myosin light chain, and two proteins (Mr approximately 60,000 and 64,000) localized in or around the cell nucleus. Phosphoamino acid analysis of six of the ten phosphoproteins showed that they contain phosphoserine. None of these proteins contained phosphotyrosine or phosphothreonine. The R-94 cell variant was found to be capable of increased protein phosphorylation after PMA treatment; however, the level of phosphate incorporation reached only the level of the untreated HL-60 cells and thus fell far short of the level observed in the HL-60 cells after PMA treatment. It is suggested that the basis for the acquired resistance in R-94 cells towards induction of cell differentiation by PMA is a block in signal transmission involving phosphorylation of nuclear protein(s) following the binding of the inducer PMA to its receptor (protein kinase C).     

HL-60 cells isolated for resistance to vincristine are defective in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced differentiation and the formation of a functional AP-1 complex.

HL-60 cells isolated for resistance to vincristine are multidrug resistant and defective in the cellular accumulation of drug. Further studies demonstrate that these cells are also highly defective in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced differentiation to macrophages. Analysis of this system demonstrates that certain protooncogenes which may contribute to differentiation are expressed at similar levels in sensitive and resistant cells. Thus, treatment of cells with TPA results in a reduction in the levels of c-myb and c-myc mRNA, while the expression of c-fos, c-jun, and junB is greatly enhanced. Immunoprecipitation experiments also demonstrate a TPA induced increase in the c-jun protein in both sensitive and resistant cells. Gel mobility shift assays show that TPA induces AP-1 formation in sensitive cells, whereas in parallel experiments with the HL-60/Vinc isolate, AP-1 is essentially absent. It has been found, however, that in resistant cells which have reverted to drug sensitivity, the levels of TPA inducible AP-1 is essentially identical to that of sensitive cells. Revertant and sensitive cells differentiate at similar levels in the presence of TPA. These studies therefore demonstrate that HL-60/Vinc cells are defective in the TPA induction of a functional AP-1 complex and that this may account for the inability of these cells to differentiate to macrophages. The molecular basis of the finding that AP-1 is not formed in resistant cells remains to be determined.     

Study of differentiation of fresh myelogenous leukemic cells by compounds that induce a human promyelocytic leukemic line (HL-60) to differentiate

The human promyelocytic leukemia cell line known as HL-60 can be triggered to mature to functional granulocytes and/or macrophages after exposure to a variety of compounds. The findings have generated enthusiasm for possible therapy of leukemia using compounds that induce leukemic cell differentiation. We investigated whether five compounds known to trigger HL-60 differentiation to granulocytes could trigger the maturation of blast cells from 12 patients with myelogenous leukemia. Maturation was judged by morphology, superoxide production, phagocytosis, expression of Fc receptors, and development of alpha-napthyl acetate esterase activity. The blast cells from most patients showed little morphological, histological or functional maturation after exposure to the various compounds as compared to the blast cells cultured without the compounds. Actinomycin was able to induce significant maturation of leukemic cells of some patients when maturation was analyzed by several statistical methods. Our study suggests that many compounds which trigger differentiation of promyelocytic leukemia cells may not trigger differentiation of less mature myeloid leukemic cells.     

Tumoricidal activity of an acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60) is augmented by human interferon alpha

Normal human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and cells from a human acute promyelocytic leukemia line (HL-60) were tested for cytotoxic potential against two human glioma and one normal fibroblast line. Both the PMNs and HL-60 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the tumor targets while sparing the normal fibroblasts. However, the two glioma cell lines were not equally susceptible to the effector cells. Addition of low levels of purified human lymphoblastoid interferon alpha (IFN) during the assay period significantly enhanced the tumoricidal effect against one of the glioma targets. HL-60 cells, partially differentiated to myelocytes and metamyelocytes by incubation with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), expressed reduced levels of cytotoxicity; IFN added during the assay was able to restore the cytotoxic activity against both glioma cell lines. Undifferentiated HL-60 cells were also able to lyse K562 targets in a six hour 51Cr release assay; this activity was also significantly enhanced by IFN. Separate incubation of both effectors and targets proved that the enhancement of cytotoxic activity demonstrated was due to an effect on the HL-60 effector cells. In contrast, the lysis of HSB-2, another NK sensitive target cell, was not enhanced by the addition of IFN to a mixture of HSB-2 and HL-60 cells. Pretreatment of effector and target cells separately with IFN demonstrated a dual effect: IFN both protected HSB-2 targets from lysis by the HL-60 effectors and induced significantly greater cytotoxicity by HL-60 cells.     

Association of a murine chromosome 9 locus (Psl1) with susceptibility to mouse skin tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

It has been known for many years that there are dramatic differences in the susceptibility of mouse stocks and strains to two-stage skin carcinogenesis and that these differences are due to the animals' responsiveness to tumor-promoting agents. In earlier studies using several inbred mouse strains, we found that susceptibility to skin tumor promotion by phorbol esters such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is a multigenic trait. To extend this work, we conducted a genome scan of (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F₁ × C57BL/6 mice previously scored for sensitivity to skin tumor promotion by TPA. As a result of this scan, we now report an association of increased TPA promotion susceptibility with inheritance of the DBA/2 alleles of markers on the distal portion of mouse chromosome 9. Additional linkage analyses using (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F₂ and B×D recombinant inbred mice confirmed this association and suggested that a TPA promotion susceptibility locus maps near D9Mit51 (LOD_w = 4.1). We designated this locus promotion susceptibility locus 1 (Psl1). Mol. Carcinog. 20:162–167, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Induction of superoxide by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and thapsigargin,a non-phorbol-ester—type tumor promoter,in peritoneal macrophages elicited from SENCAR and B6C3F1 mice: A permissive role for the arachidonic acid cascade in signal transduction

Local production of reactive oxygen intermediates, e.g., superoxide anion, by tumor promoter—stimulated inflammatory macrophages (MPs) may contribute significantly to tumor development in classical models of two-stage chemical-induced carcinogenesis in murine skin. In the studies reported herein, peritoneal MPs elicited from phorbol-ester—sensitive SENCAR mice demonstrated a time- and dose-dependent release of superoxide anion (4–6 nmol/10⁶ cells) when stimulated by 200 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in vitro; MP superoxide response was significantly inhibited (50–70%) by preincubation with 40 μM 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), a protein-kinase inhibitor. Alternatively, TPA-stimulated MPs derived from relatively resistant B6C3F1 mice generated negligible superoxide under the same conditions. A similar strain-dependent induction of superoxide was observed when MPs were stimulated with thapsigargin (TG), a tumor promoter previously shown to act independently of protein kinase C (PKC). TG-stimulated SENCAR MPs released a significant amount of superoxide (2–3 nmol/10⁶ cells) that was not inhibited by H-7; MPs from B6C3F1 mice demonstrated negligible stimulation by TG. Preincubation of SENCAR MPs with 100 μM dibromoacetophenone, an inhibitor of phospholipase A₂, completely suppressed the superoxide induced by TPA and TG stimulation. Like TPA, 50 μM 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, a diacylglycerol analogue and PKC activator, also induced a significant amount of superoxide from SENCAR MPs only. In parallel with the superoxide findings, TPA and TG stimulated significantly greater [³H]arachidonic acid release from prelabeled SENCAR MPs (a 32% and 48% increase, respectively, over unstimulated controls) relative to MPs from B6C3F1 mice. Two-dimensional gel-electrophoretic analysis indicated that TPA-induced phosphorylation of a 47-kDa protein (a presumed substrate for PKC previously linked to NADPH oxidase activation in guinea pig and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes) occurred in MPs from both SENCAR and B6C3F1 mice. Therefore, arachidonic acid production may be a common biochemical pathway by which phorbol-ester— and non-phorbol-ester—type tumor promoters activate MPs in SENCAR mice; such a response may be “permissive” for additive (or synergistic) interactions with PKC-driven signal pathways.