Effects of retinoic acid on the differentiation of THP-1 cell lines containing aneuploid or diploid chromosomes.

Abstract

The effects of retinoic acid on the differentiation of human monocytic leukemia cell lines containing aneuploid (THP-1-Cs5) or diploid chromosomes (THP-1-R) were studied and compared. The induction of cell adhesion to a substratum, phagocytosis of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or IgG-coated SRBC, pinocytosis of dextran sulfate, and NBT dye reduction by the cells were examined. The occurrence of these processes was much greater in RA-treated THP-1-Cs5 cells than in RA-treated THP-1-R cells. Of all these functional activities, the most remarkable differences between the two cell types were seen for cell adhesion and phagocytosis of SRBC. Morphological changes in RA-treated THP-1-Cs5 cells were observed by light and electron microscopy. RA-treated THP-1-Cs5 cells had a moderately-developed Golgi apparatus, and abundant lysosomes, mitochondria and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Among various retinoids examined, RA was the strongest inducer of the differentiation of the THP-1-Cs5 cells into mature cells. These findings suggest that THP-1-Cs5 cells which contain aneuploid chromosomes are more efficiently functionally differentiated by RA than are THP-1-R cells.