Failure of 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol to mimic the cell-differentiating action of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in HL-60 cells

Treatment of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60 cells) with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) results in terminal differentiation of the cells to macrophage-like cells. Treatment of the cells with TPA induced marked enhancement of the phosphorylation of 28- and 67-kDa proteins and a decrease in that of a 75-kDa protein. When the cells were treated with diacylglycerol, i.e. 50 micrograms/ml 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG), similar changes in the phosphorylation of 28-, 67-, and 75-kDa proteins were likewise observed, indicating that OAG actually stimulates protein kinase C in intact HL-60 cells. OAG (1-100 micrograms/ml), which we used, activated partially purified mouse brain protein kinase C in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of HL-60 cells with 10 nM TPA for 48 h caused an increase by about 8-fold in cellular acid phosphatase activity. Although a significant increase in acid phosphatase activity was induced by OAG, the effect was scant compared to that of TPA (less than 7% that of TPA). After 48-h exposure to 10 nM TPA, about 95% of the HL-60 cells adhered to culture dishes. On the contrary, treatment of the cells either with OAG (2-100 micrograms/ml) or phospholipase C failed to induce HL-60 cell adhesion. Ca2+ ionophore A23187 failed to act synergistically with OAG. In addition, hourly or bi-hourly cumulative addition of OAG for 24 h also proved ineffective to induce HL-60 cell adhesion. Our present results do not imply that protein kinase C activation is nonessential for TPA-induced HL-60 cell differentiation, but do demonstrate that protein kinase C activation is not the sole event sufficient to induce HL-60 cell differentiation by means of this agent.     

Synergism between subthreshold concentrations of thrombin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in platelet activation

A comparison was made between the time courses and interdependence of platelet aggregation, serotonin release, and cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in the same sample of platelets loaded with [14C]-serotonin and Ca2+-sensitive photoprotein aequorin. In 100 micrograms/ml aspirin-treated platelets, neither 0.01 U/ml thrombin nor 50nM TPA, an active phorbol ester, induced significant aggregation, serotonin release, or a rise in the intracellular calcium concentration. However, when these two agents were added together, marked aggregation and release were observed without a change in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration. No correlation was observed between the extent of the synergistic effects and time of preincubation with TPA. Potentiatory effects of protein kinase C on receptor-mediated agonists need to be considered in platelet activation.     

DNA repair in human promyelocytic cell line, HL-60.

The human promyelocytic cell line, HL-60, shows large changes in endogenous poly(ADP-ribose) and in nuclear ADP-ribosyl transferase activity (ADPRT) during its induced myelocytic differentiation. DNA strand-breaks are an essential activator for this enzyme; and transient DNA strand breaks occur during the myelocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells. We have tested the hypothesis that these post-mitotic, terminally differentiating cells are less efficient in DNA repair, and specifically in DNA strand rejoining, than their proliferating precursor cells. We have found that this hypothesis is not tenable. We observe that there is no detectable reduction in the efficiency of DNA excision repair after exposure to either dimethyl sulphate or gamma-irradiation in HL-60 cells induced to differentiate by dimethyl sulphoxide. Moreover, the efficient excision repair of either dimethyl sulphate or gamma-irradiation induced lesions, both in the differentiated and undifferentiated HL-60 cells, is blocked by the inhibition of ADPRT activity.     

Melatonin enhances hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukaemia HL-60 cells

Melatonin is an indoleamine secreted by the pineal gland that shows multiple tasks. This ubiquitously acting free radical scavenger has recently been shown to stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumour cells, making them undergo apoptosis, whilst it prevents apoptosis in healthy cells. The mechanisms by which melatonin exerts these dual actions are, however, not yet clearly understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to further investigate how melatonin can enhance oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in a leukaemia cell line. The results show that melatonin increased the apoptotic effects of H(2)O(2) in human myeloid HL-60 cells as assessed by cellular viability, mitochondrial permeability transition induction, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, ROS generation, caspases 3, 8 and 9 activity, phosphatidylserine externalization, and DNA fragmentation techniques. When healthy leucocytes were exposed to H(2)O(2), melatonin increased the viability of the cells. Taken together, the findings indicate that melatonin is a potential physiological tool capable of protecting healthy cells from chemotherapy-induced ROS production as well as inducing tumour cell death. Because cancer cells manifest increased oxidative stress as a result of their elevated metabolism, the use of melatonin may be useful in impairing their ROS buffering capacity.     

Correlation between plasma membrane potential and second messenger generation in the promyelocytic cell line HL-60.

The effects of plasma membrane depolarization on cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) generation were investigated in the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 differentiated with either dimethyl sulfoxide or retinoic acid into neutrophil-like cells. Increases in [Ca2+]i and accumulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 were triggered by two chemoattractants fMet-Leu-Phe and leukotriene B4. Plasma membrane potential was depolarized by isoosmotic substitution of NaCl with KCl, by the pore-forming ionophore gramicidin D, or by long term treatment with ouabain. Both Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores and Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane were reduced by prior depolarization of plasma membrane potential regardless of the procedure employed to collapse it. Agonist-induced generation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 was also reduced in parallel in pre-depolarized HL-60 cells. The present findings provide further evidence suggesting that plasma membrane potential can be an important modulator of agonist-activated second messenger generation in myelocytic cells.     

Ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation and morphological changes in response to the tumour promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in primary human tumour cells, established and transformed cell lines

The phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 in fibroblasts, primary human tumour cells, established and SV40-transformed human cell lines was compared after the addition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). In fibroblasts and primary tumour cell cultures, stimulation of S6 phosphorylation was about 4-6-fold. Established and transformed cell lines showed enhanced S6 phosphorylation which was not further stimulated by the addition of TPA. These findings indicated that the influence of TPA on the metabolic pathway, that finally leads to the phosphorylation of protein S6 in cells with a limited lifespan (fibroblasts, primary human tumour cells) can be mimicked by unknown steps also associated with immortalization (establishment function) and the transformed state of the tumour cells. Another interesting observation were morphological changes of the established and SV40-transformed cells which were visible as early as 20 min after the addition of TPA. In fibroblasts and primary tumour cells no changes in morphology were observed, even after 8h incubation.     

Regulation of myeloperoxidase gene expression by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in human leukemia HL-60 cells

Myeloperoxidase synthesis during induction of differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was studied. Differentiation was characterized by morphological changes, arrest of cell proliferation, development of cell adherence, and increased secretion of lysozyme. The cellular myeloperoxidase activity decreased early during induction of differentiation by TPA. Pulse-labeling experiments indicated that the rate of myeloperoxidase synthesis decreased to an undetectable level in cells exposed to TPA for 22 h. The relative amounts of myeloperoxidase mRNA in TPA-treated and untreated cells were determined by measuring translatable mRNA activity in a reticulocyte lysate system. Reduction in the myeloperoxidase mRNA level was observed as early as after 3 h treatment with TPA, and no myeloperoxidase mRNA was detected after 24 h. Time course experiments indicated that the time required for 50% reduction of myeloperoxidase mRNA in TPA-treated cells was approximately 5 h. These results suggest that TPA induces decrease of myeloperoxidase activity in HL-60 cells at a pretranslational level.     

Increased sensitivity to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) in human ovarian carcinoma cells in response to treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate

The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) enhanced sensitivity to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (DPP) in human ovarina carcinoma 2008 cells by a factor of 2.53 +/- 0.74 fold (S.D.). Sensitization was maximum 3 h after a 1-h exposure to TPA and had disappeared completely by 7 h after treatment. An equivalent degree of sensitization was produced in a 2008 variant selected for 10-fold resistance to DDP. TPA neither increased nor decreased cellular accumulation of DDP. Phorbol, a TPA analog which does not activate protein kinase C, did not cause sensitization. This synergistic interaction between TPA and DDP was completely inhibited by pretreatment with staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. Cellular cAMP was not altered by TPA stimulation. Furthermore, cycloheximide, a potent protein synthesis inhibitor, did not block the TPA-induced enhancement of drug sensitivity. These results strongly suggest that DDP sensitivity can be modulated by protein kinase C and regulated by phosphorylation of a protein kinase C substrate in both intrinsically sensitive and DDP-resistant cells.     

Asymmetric cell division in human leukemic promyelocytic cells (HL-60).

Small cells accounted for 8-9% of the human leukemic promyelocytic cells (HL-60). The diameter of the small cells was 8.44 μm, whereas that of the large cells, which were heterogeneous in cell size, was 11.0 μm. The small cells were produced from the large cells through asymmetric cell division, which was demonstrated by cloning experiments and by microscopy.     

Ubiquitination and down-regulation of gap junction protein connexin-43 in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate treatment

Gap junctions are specialized plasma membrane domains enriched in connexin proteins that form channels between adjacent cells. Gap junctions are highly dynamic, and modulation of the connexin turnover rate is considered to play an important role in the regulation of gap junctional intercellular communication. In the present study, we show that the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) induces ubiquitination of connexin-43 (Cx43) in IAR20 rat liver epithelial cells. The accelerated ubiquitination of Cx43 in response to TPA occurred concomitantly with Cx43 hyperphosphorylation and inhibition of cell-cell communication via gap junctions. The TPA-induced ubiquitination of Cx43 was mediated via protein kinase C and partly involved the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Following ubiquitination, Cx43 was internalized and degraded. The loss of Cx43 protein was counteracted by ammonium chloride, indicating that acidification of internalized Cx43 gap junctions is a prerequisite for its degradation. Furthermore, the Cx43 degradation was partly counteracted by leupeptin, an inhibitor of cathepsin B, H, and L. Cx43 internalization and subsequent degradation were blocked by inhibitors of the proteasome. Evidence is provided that Cx43 is modified by multiple monoubiquitins rather than a polyubiquitin chain in response to TPA. Moreover, the TPA-induced ubiquitination of Cx43 was blocked by proteasomal inhibitors. Taken together, the data indicate that Cx43 ubiquitination is a highly regulated process. Moreover, the results suggest that the proteasome might play an indirect role in Cx43 degradation by affecting the level of monoubiquitin conjugation and trafficking of Cx43 to endosomal compartments.     

Osteopontin, a transformation-associated cell adhesion phosphoprotein, is induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in mouse epidermis

A murine mRNA (provisionally called 2ar) is described whose abundance is greatly increased by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate both in JB6 epidermal cells in vitro and in epidermis in vivo. We have previously shown induction of 2ar in epidermal or fibroblast cell lines by tumor promoters, growth factors, and transformation with H-ras. The 2ar mRNA appears to be derived from a single copy gene. It encodes the mouse homolog of rat osteopontin, a 41.5-kDa glycosylated bone phosphoprotein that binds to fibroblasts and osteosarcoma cells and to hydroxylapatite (bone matrix). The rat and mouse sequences are 84% identical at the amino acid level and 87% identical at the nucleotide level. Many of the primary structural features are conserved, including a run of 9-10 aspartic residues and a Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser cell adhesion sequence. Antiserum raised against portions of the predicted polypeptide immunoprecipitated proteins of apparent Mr 55,000-70,000 both from reticulocyte lysates containing the translation products of hybrid-selected mRNA and from cell culture medium containing metabolically labeled proteins secreted by JB6 cells. The results presented here demonstrate that osteopontin is identical to a transformation-associated phosphoprotein whose level of expression by cultured cells and abundance in human sera has been correlated with tumorigenicity. These results suggest a role for osteopontin in carcinogenesis. The murine version of osteopontin has been given the formal name "secreted phosphoprotein 1" and the designation spp.     

Induction of cyclo-oxygenase synthesis in human promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60) cells during monocytic or granulocytic differentiation.

Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) production in human promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60) cells was studied during monocytic differentiation induced by 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24 nM; 3 days) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 nM; 1 day), or during granulocytic differentiation induced by retinoic acid (1 microns; 4 days). Undifferentiated or differentiated HL-60 cells were labelled with [35S]methionine, and membrane-bound COX was solubilized and quantified by SDS/PAGE. Immunoprecipitated 35S-labelled COX from cells induced to differentiate into monocytic or granulocytic lineage were clearly detected on the autoradiograms as a protein of approx. 70 kDa molecular size, whereas only a very faint COX band was detected in untreated HL-60 cells. During both monocytic and granulocytic differentiation, COX activity (measured by the conversion of exogenous arachidonic acid into prostaglandin E2) was dramatically increased. In addition, thromboxane synthesis was preferentially enhanced during monocytic differentiation. HL-60 cells, induced to differentiate into the monocytic or granulocytic lineage, provide a useful tool to investigate the cellular mechanisms involved in regulation of the synthesis of individual prostanoid-metabolizing enzymes.     

12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate stimulates the myristylation of an approximately 82 kDa protein in HL-60 cells

We have studied protein acylation using [3H]myristate in the two leukemia cell lines HL-60 and HL-60 Blast II. The latter is a variant which does not differentiate after treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The acylation profiles of the two cell lines as examined by SDS-PAGE differed. TPA induced the myristylation of an approximately 82 kDa protein in the sensitive cells, but not in the resistant cells. Myristic acid was shown to be covalently linked to these proteins. Analysis of the cell lipids labelled with [3H]myristate showed that in contrast to observations with the proteins, the changes induced by TPA were observed in both TPA-sensitive and TPA-resistant cells. We conclude that the induction of myristylation may be an important step in the mechanism of differentiation.     

Tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate stimulates simian virus 40 induction by DNA-damaging agents and tumor initiators.

Simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed Syrian hamster kidney cells produce infectious SV40 virus particles after treatments which damage DNA, such as UV irradiation or mitomycin C treatment. We have found that the induction of SV40 by DNA-damaging agents is greatly stimulated when a typical tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), is present in the medium. Phorbol, which has a molecular structure similar to TPA but does not have any tumor-promoting activity, showed no such stimulatory effect on SV40 induction. This apparent synergistic effect of DNA-damaging agents and tumor promoter (TPA) was more pronounced when a tumor initiator, benzo [a]pyrene or 2-acetamido-fluorene, was combined with TPA. The effect of TPA on UV-triggered SV40 induction was greatly influenced by the timing of TPA addition to the culture medium, which was most efficient when addition of TPA was 5 to 20 h before UV irradiation. The effect of TPA, however, was not observed in SV40 rescue from hamster cells by cell fusion with permissive monkey (C7) cells.     

Induction of differentiation in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell line by niacin-related compounds

Water-soluble vitamin, niacin, and its related compounds were examined for their differentiation-inducing activity in human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60). Among the compounds, which inhibited cell proliferation measured by MTT assay, isonicotinic acid, nicotinamide N-oxide, and nicotinamide induced NBT reducing activity. HL-60 cells were differentiated into granulocyte-like cells by these compounds, judging from morphological changes and loss of nonspecific esterase activity. The differentiation-inducing activity of water-soluble vitamin and its related compounds suggest that these compounds may be applicable for medical use.     

Induction of differentiation of the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 by activin/EDF.

A human promyelocytic cell line, HL-60, treated with activin/EDF was found to differentiate into monocyte/macrophage-like cells. This was shown not only by morphology but by the loss of myeloperoxidase granules and the appearance of nonspecific esterase. Dose-dependent inhibition of the differentiation by follistatin, an activin-binding protein, confirmed that it was indeed caused by activin. Thus, activin/EDF exerts its effect on hematopoietic cells not only on erythroid differentiation but also on at least a part of myeloid cell differentiation.     

NADPH oxidase is involved in H2O2-induced differentiation of human promyelocytic leukaemia HL-60 cells

The expression and activity of NADPH oxidase increase when HL‐60 cells are induced into terminally differentiated cells. However, the function of NADPH oxidase in differentiation is not well elucidated. With 150–500 μM H₂O₂ inducing differentiation of HL‐60 cells, we measured phagocytosis of latex beads and investigated cell electrophoresis. Two inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, DPI (diphenyleneiodonium) and APO (apocynin), blocked the differentiation potential of cells induced by 200 μM H₂O₂. However, H₂O₂ stimulated the generation of intracellular superoxide (O₂ ^{? ?}), which decreased in the presence of the two inhibitors. DPI also inhibited H₂O₂‐induced ERK (extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase) activation, as detected by Western blotting. Furthermore, PD98059, the inhibitor of the ERK pathway, inhibited the differentiation of HL‐60 cells induced by H₂O₂. This shows that H₂O₂ can activate NADPH oxidase, leading to O₂ ^{? ?} production, followed by ERK activation and ultimately resulting in the differentiation of HL‐60 cells. The data indicate that NADPH oxidase is an important cell signal regulating cell differentiation.     

Susceptibility of the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 to an endogenous antileukaemic factor in suspension cultures

HL-60 human leukaemic cell line a suitable homogeneous target population for the selective endogenous inhibitor of myelopoiesis, isolated in our laboratory, was submitted to multiparameter analysis of cell proliferation in suspension cultures. As detected by 3H-TdR incorporation, a single dose of the regulator elicited a 6 to 8 hours arrest of DNA synthesis. The inhibition could be prolonged by repeated applications. As affected by the factor, alteration of population kinetics is characterized, revealed by flow cytofluorometric analysis, in G1 arrest of a fraction of cells, and diminishing those in hyperdiploid and tetraploid stage. 51Cr-release detection of vitality proved, that the endogenous factor, chemically determined as nucleopeptide, affected non-toxically and reversibly HL-60 cell proliferation.     

Induction of ornithine decarboxylase by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in hamster fibroblasts. Relationship between levels of enzyme activity, immunoreactive protein, and RNA during the induction process

Phorbol ester tumor promoters and growth factors rapidly stimulate ornithine decarboxylase activity in the transformed hamster fibroblast line HE68BP. We report here a close correspondence between the time courses and magnitudes of induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity and immunoreactive ornithine decarboxylase protein following treatment of HE68BP cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and/or refeeding with fresh medium. Cycloheximide addition to induced cells caused a rapid fall in the levels of both ornithine decarboxylase activity and ornithine decarboxylase protein. Northern blot analysis of RNA isolated from HE68BP cells indicated that treatment with TPA and fresh medium increased the amount of two species of mRNA of lengths 2.4 and 2.1 kilobase. This increased accumulation of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA corresponded temporally to that observed at the protein level, with a 15-fold maximal induction 7 h after treatment followed by a rapid decline in hybridizable RNA. These data indicate that stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity by TPA or refeeding involves changes in levels of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA as well as changes in the rate of synthesis of ornithine decarboxylase protein.