Induction of differentiation in the human leukemia cell line SPI-802: morphological, immunological, and isoenzymatic changes

The phorbolester 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) was used for the induction of differentiation in cells of the human leukemia cell line SPI-802. The cellular morphology, surface marker antigen expression, and isoenzyme profiles of four enzymes (carboxylic esterase, acid phosphatase, hexosaminidase, and lactate dehydrogenase) served as parameters for monitoring the induced phenotypical changes. TPA led to distinct alterations of the morphology and significantly affected the growth rate with cessation of cell proliferation. No major increase in the number of nitro blue tetrazolium-positive cells or aggregation of cells, phagocytosis of latex beads, adherence to plastic surface, or development of pseudopodia were observed. As TPA-treated SPI-802 cells remained negative for these markers of the monocyte-macrophage complex, it can be concluded that the cells did not differentiate into monocytes and macrophages. The immunological marker profile based on testing of 55 monoclonal antibodies, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase and two erythrocyte rosette tests indicated a differentiation of SPI-802 cells along the granulocytic cell lineage. This was confirmed by isoenzyme analysis, especially that of carboxylic esterase. An isoenzyme specific for monocytes and macrophages was not detected. In earlier studies it was found that SPI-802 cells produce hemoglobin upon exposure to TPA or hemin. This latter observation and the present results suggested a comparison with the two erythroleukemia cell lines K-562 and HEL. SPI-802 cells appear to have the potential to differentiate along several cell lineages.