Hemoglobin In K562 Cells Research Articles

Long noncoding RNA CCDC26 as a modulator of transcriptional switching between fetal and embryonic globins

The CCDC26 gene is considered to encode a functional noncoding RNA associated with acute myeloid leukemia and other cancers. However, investigations into the physiological roles of CCDC26 are rare. Previously, we reported that CCDC26 regulated proliferation and cell death of leukemia cells through KIT, a receptor tyrosine kinase, by using K562 leukemia cells and their derivative CCDC26-knockdown (KD) cells. Here we propose a new role of CCDC26 in the differentiation of erythroid cells. We showed that expression of embryonic (ε- and ζ-) globins was markedly upregulated in CCDC26-KD cells compared with K562 control cells during hemin-induced differentiation. In contrast, expression of fetal-type γ-globin, a major globin expressed in original K562 cells, was decreased. These changes in the expression of globin genes mainly took place at the transcriptional level, with significant suppression of transcription of adult (β-, δ-) globins in CCDC26-KD cells. Re-introduction of exogenous CCDC26 into the CCDC26-KD cells recovered low-level expression of the embryonal globins. These results suggest CCDC26 has a role in switching transcription of globin genes in the differentiation of erythroid cells. The expression profile of the CCDC26-KD cells and control cells suggests FOG-2, a transcriptional modulator, as a candidate for a mediator of the CCDC26-associated regulation. We showed that both embryonic globins were transcriptionally activated in FOG-2-KD K562 cells. The KIT inhibitor ISCK03 suppressed the production of hemoglobin in K562 cells but did not affect transcription of globin genes. To summarize, FOG-2, but not KIT, is responsible for globin transcriptional regulation by CCDC26.

Functional Analysis of the FOXO3 Gene on the Induction of Fetal Hemoglobin in K562 Cells

The β-hemoglobinopathies are known as genetic disorders of high impact and wide distribution worldwide, with chronic and variable clinical prognosis. These pathologies have their symptoms and sequelae alleviated by increased levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF; α2γ2). The Hydroxyurea, a drug used for the treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies, is effective for the maintenance and control of the development of the main clinical manifestations, however, it needs some prerequisites for its use, which indicates the need for new therapeutic approaches for this group of individuals. The family of Forkhead Box O transcription factors (FOXO), composed of FOXO1, FOXO3, FOXO4 and FOXO6, plays a key role in the regulation of several biological processes such as: regulation of the cell cycle, modulation oxidative stress, regulation mechanisms of response to DNA damage, controlling apoptosis and inflammatory response. Among members of the FOXO family, FOXO3 has been described as a physiological regulator of the erythroid maturation process and indicated as a positive regulator of HbF levels. In the present work, we evaluated the expression levels of the FOXO3 gene in patients with hemoglobinopathies and, in an attempt to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease, we performed a subcloning of the FOXO3 gene into a lentiviral expression system for its constitutive expression in vitro and subsequent evaluation of its activity as a possible transcription factor for γ globin genes (HBG1 and HBG2). In our clinical study, FOXO3 expression was significantly higher in patients with sickle cell anemia when compared to healthy donors (HbAA) (P <0.001) . In addition, a differential expression of FOXO3 was associated with the development of lower limb ulcer (P <0.005). Although we observed a tendency to increase FOXO3 expression in patients with 2 or more clinical manifestations, this association was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). The same was observed when we compared the number of clinical complications presented by patients last year with HbF levels: patients with 2 or more complications had lower levels of HbF, although this difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.182). There was no correlation between FOXO3 expression levels and HbF dosage (r = -0.12). Because of the activity of the FOXO3 gene in the control of oxidative stress, experiments were performed to evaluate the ROS and NO rates in the cell culture and a significant role was found, the FOXO3 increasing NO production (P = 0.0001) as well as in control of ROS produced in mitochondria. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Novel Epigenetic Modulators That Promote Fetal Hemoglobin Production for the Prevention of Sickle Cell Disease Related Complications

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. Affected patients are at risk of multi-organ complications, significant morbidity and early mortality with an average age at death of 42 and 48 years for men and women, respectively. Complications include acute and chronic pain due to vascular occlusion, end organ damage, acute chest syndrome and increased risk of sepsis. SCD is caused by a point mutation on chromosome 11, which codes for the beta chain of adult hemoglobin. Fetal hemoglobin is not affected by the mutation. Persons with SCD who maintain persistent fetal hemoglobin demonstrate a decreased number of pain crises and acute chest episodes along with a decreased risk of mortality compared to other patients with SCD. The only FDA approved fetal hemoglobin inducer, Hydroxyurea, remains highly underutilized due to the risk of complications and unwanted side effects. The discovery of a new agent that promotes re-expression of fetal hemoglobin could revolutionize the care of affected patients by reducing morbidity and mortality. Epigenetic modulation is one possible mechanistic approach to accomplish this goal. Recent studies with lysine specific demethylase-1 (LSD1) inhibitors, including tranylcypromine (TCP) have shown promising results. Unfortunately, TCP also affects monoamine oxidase and thus has significant side effects. Developing a molecule with high specificity, low cross reactivity and negligible toxicity would increase desired effects while reducing unwanted side effects.Objectives: To discover small-molecule inhibitors of LSD1 that exhibit high selectivity for LSD1 and low in-vivo toxicity that can be used to promote re-expression of fetal hemoglobin in SCD patients.Design/Methods: Our laboratory at the Medical University of South Carolina has recently described a library of potent, non-toxic LSD1 inhibitors. Our preliminary results suggest that these inhibitors show promise as fetal hemoglobin inducers. Using K562 cells, an erythroleukemic cell line known to model in-vivo hemoglobin production, we are screening this library to identify the most effective compounds using Western blotting for the gamma globin chain that is unique to fetal hemoglobin. Following identification of the most effective compounds in initial screens, we will confirm results with RT-qPCR. Subsequent studies will involve culturing and treating erythroid progenitor cells from healthy subject samples and from patients with SCD obtained through bone marrow sampling. HPLC will be used for identification and quantification of hemoglobin chains, including fetal hemoglobin, after ex-vivo treatment with selected compounds.Results: Initial results from Western blots for fetal hemoglobin (gamma globin protein) demonstrate that TCP, as well as the experimental compounds C1, 107-3 and 107-15, promote the re-expression of fetal hemoglobin in K562 cells. Experimental compounds were compared to DMSO as negative control, and hemin (10 mM) and hydroxyurea (200 mM) as positive controls. All experimental compounds evaluated are significantly less toxic than hydroxyurea, and do not impact cell viability in trypan blue exclusion studies.Conclusion: Initial studies show promising results for fetal hemoglobin production using these novel LSD-1 inhibitors. Viability data is also encouraging. Continued investigation is warranted to further investigate the efficacy of these compounds. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

MiR-451 enhances erythroid differentiation in K562 cells

Erythropoiesis is a multistep process regulated at the molecular level by intrinsic and extrinsic factors including microRNAs (miRNAs). We previously identified aberrant expression of miR-451 and miR-150 in polycythemia vera (PV) erythroid differentiating cells. To address the functional relevance of these miRNAs in erythroid differentiation, we employed synthetic mimics and inhibitors of miR-451 and miR-150 in erythroid differentiating K562 cells. We observed that miR-451 up-regulation and miR-150 down-regulation are associated with progression of erythroid maturation in K562 cells. Further, enforced expression of miR-451 promoted erythroid differentiation. Inhibition of miR-150 reduced hemoglobinization of K562 cells. Microarray data suggested potential targets regulated by miR-451: UBE2H, ARPP-19; and by miR-150: MS4A3, AGA, PTPRR. Our results demonstrate that miR-451 is involved in the regulation of erythroid differentiation and functions as an enhancer of differentiation. These data support the concept that aberrant expression of miRNAs may contribute to abnormal erythropoiesis such as that of PV.

The Role of Zinc Finger Protein 521/Early Hematopoietic Zinc Finger Protein in Erythroid Cell Differentiation

ZNF521 (zinc finger protein 521) is a transcription factor with an N-terminal transcriptional repressor motif and 30 zinc finger domains. Although a high expression level of ZNF521 in human CD34+ progenitors and hematopoietic malignancies has been demonstrated, the functional role of ZNF521 in hematopoietic cell differentiation has not been clarified. In this study, we analyzed the role of ZNF521 in erythroid cell differentiation using the short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated gene silencing method. Down-regulation of ZNF521 mediated by transient expression of shRNA for ZNF521 resulted in increased synthesis of hemoglobin in K562 and HEL cell lines as compared with control cells. K562-derived clones in which ZNF521 was constitutively silenced by shRNA also showed marked synthesis of hemoglobin and an increased expression level of glycophorin A. Since GATA-1 is the key regulator of erythroid differentiation, the effect of ZNF521 on transcription activity of GATA-1 was analyzed using a luciferase assay. GATA-1 activity was markedly inhibited by ZNF521 in a dose-dependent manner. Deletion analysis of ZNF521 showed that the repressive effect requires an N-terminal repression motif. Furthermore, the direct interaction of ZNF521 with GATA-1 was demonstrated. These results indicate that ZNF521 modulates erythroid cell differentiation through direct binding with GATA-1.

Cucurbitacin D Upregulates Fetal Hemoglobin Expression in K562 Cells and Human Erythroid Progenitors.

The search for novel therapeutic candidates causing reactivation of fetal hemoglobin (a2g2; HbF) to reduce the imbalance of globin gene expression is important in order to develop effective approach for the clinical management of sickle cell anemia and b-thalassemia. For the first time, we have identified cucurbitacin D (CuD), a naturally occurring oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoid, as a molecular entity inducing g-globin gene expression and HbF synthesis in K562 cells and human erythroid progenitors from either peripheral blood or bone marrow. The upregulation of HbF induced by CuD was dose- and time- dependent. CuD was compared to hydroxyurea (HU), 5-azacytidine, amifostine, recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), and sodium phenylbutyrate. At their optimal dosage, CuD (12.5 ng/mL) and HU (25.0 μg/mL) induced nearly 70% K562 cells to express total hemoglobin after 6 days culture, which was higher than the induction by Amifostine (30%), 5-azacytidine (36%), rhEPO (16%), sodium phenylbutyrate (23%) at their optimal concentrations and negative control (11%). Fetal hemoglobin ELISA showed that CuD (12.5 ng/mL) and 5-azacytidine (400 ng/mL) induced higher levels of fetal hemoglobin in K562 cells (15.4 ng/μL and 29.3 ng/μL, respectively), compared to HU (10.3 ng/μL), amifostine (7.8 ng/μL), rhEPO (10.9 ng/μL), sodium phenylbutyrate (9.9 ng/μL) at their optimal concentrations and negative control (5.3 ng/μL). CuD induced a significantly higher fetal cell percentage than HU in K562 cells (65% vs 37% maximum) and primary erythroid progenitors (36% vs 21% maximum) based on the immunofluorescence imaging and flow cytometry analysis. Real-time PCR results showed that the amount of γ-globin mRNA increased from 2.5-fold in CuD-optimal-treated cells (12.5 ng/mL, 48 hours) compared with 1.5-fold in HU-optimal-treated cells (25.0 μg/mL, 48 hours). Growth inhibition assay (MTT) demonstrated that CuD at its optimal γ-globin inducing dosage (12.5 ng/mL) inhibited proliferation of K562 by less than 10% of untreated control cells; while hydroxyurea at its optimal dosage (25.0 μg/mL) inhibited 80% of cell division. The in vitro therapeutic index (calculated by dividing the dose inhibiting 50% cell growth (IC50) by dose inducing 50% maximal HbF production (ED50)) of CuD was 40-fold greater than HU. Taken together, the results suggest that CuD has the potential to be a therapeutic agent for treatment of sickle cell anemia and b-thalassemia.

The Role of EHZF in Erythroid Differentiation of K562 Cells.

Early hematopoietic zinc finger protein (EHZF), the human homolog to mouse Evi3, is a transcription factor with 30 zinc fingers and a highly conserved N-terminal FOG repression motif. The EHZF mRNA expression is abundant in early hematopoietic progenitors and declines during differentiation. In most of the leukemic cells from acute myelogenous leukemia patients, significant levels of EHZF mRNA are detected. These findings suggest that EHZF play an important role in hematopoietic differentiation.In the present study we investigated whether siRNA-mediated depletion of EHZF affected the erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. Three kind of EHZF siRNA were designed and their expression vectors were constructed. After transient expression of these siRNAs by electroporation, hemoglobinization of K562 cells were analyzed by Benzidine staining. In all of these siRNAs introduced cells, the levels of hemoglobinizations were abundant compared to control cells, which suggested that EHZF might influence the erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. To further analyze the effects of EHZF siRNA in erythroid differentiation, we established K562 clones in which EHZF was depleted by siRNA. EHZF siRNA expression vectors were introduced into K562 cells by electroporation and the expression of EHZF mRNA were examined by RT-PCR in G418 resistant clones. The depressions of EHZF mRNA in the clones were confirmed by Northern blotting. We isolated several EHZF depleted clones in each kind of EHZF siRNA introduced cells. Most of the EHZF depleted clones showed marked hemoglobinization by Benzidine staining compared to control clones, and surface expressions of glycophorin A were also increased in these clones. These results confirmed the relevant role of EHZF in erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. Comparison of mRNA expressions between an EHZF depleted clone and a control clone using DNA array showed increase expressions of hemoglobin alpha, beta, delta mRNA in EHZF depleted clone compared to control clone. Several transcription factors which are involved in erythroid differentiation also showed the difference mRNA levels between two clones.Studies are underway to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the role of EHZF in erythroid differentiation, the relationship to other transcription factors (GATA-1, GFi-1B, FOG-1 etc) which involved in erythroid differentiation.

Expression and purification of human placenta lactogen in Escherichia coli

There are many growth factors secreted by placenta including growth hormone, placenta lactogen (PL), prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, and chorionic gonadotropin. For a systematic study of how these growth factors work together to result in the various biological functions and future clinical applications, it is needed to produce enough quantities of each protein. In this paper, we report the cloning of human PL (hPL) and expression by Escherichia coli (E. coli). Four kinds of expression vectors containing the hPL gene were transformed into several kinds of suitable host strains and grown at 37 and/or 30 °C. Determination of the yield of recombinant hPL by SDS–PAGE reveals that among the various conditions, pQE30-PL in E. coli strain M15[pREP4] expressed the largest amount of recombinant hPL at 37 °C. However, the expressed recombinant hPL was accumulated in inclusion body forms. The inclusion bodies were solubilized in 8 M urea and purified by a His 6 tagged affinity column under denaturing condition and the final yield of hPL was determined to be 48 mg/L. Intra-chain disulfide bonds could be formed either by oxidation in the refolding buffer or by air oxidation in the presence of urea. The biological activity was examined by the fact that hPL could stimulate erythroid maturation by the formation of hemoglobin in K-562 cells in the presence of erythropoietin. Initial optimization studies resulted in the production of 282.4 mg/L of hPL.

Antisense EDRF1 gene inhibited GATA-1 transcription factor DNA-binding activity in K562 cells

Our previous studies showed that EDRF1 influenced expression of alpha-globin mRNA and synthesis of hemoglobin in K562 cells and modulated self-renewal of K562 cells. To illuminate the function of EDRF1 in K562 cells, sense and antisense EDRF1 constructs were prepared and transfected into K562 cells. By using microarray and dot blot assay, 60 cytokine receptors and some oncogenes sharing important functions in cell proliferation and differentiation were investigated. The results of this study demonstrated that IL-6 receptor, GM-CSF receptor, c-Jun/c-Fos, c-Myc and c-kit genes were regulated by antisense EDRF1 expression. The regulation was confirmed by RNA blot assay. GATA-1 mRNA expression was modulated by EDRF1 gene transfection. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested that the DNA-binding activity of GATA-1 was remarkably inhibited in K562 cells expressing EDRF1 antisense gene. DNA binding activity of NF-E2 was at the same level as control experiment. Therefore EDRF1 may play a role in erythroid proliferation and differentiation by affecting the interaction between GATA-1 and its cis-elements.

Mobilferrin is an intermediate in iron transport between transferrin and hemoglobin in K562 cells.

Iron is bound to transferrin in the plasma. A specific receptor on the cell surface binds transferrin and internalizes transferrin and the iron in clathrin-coated pits. These invaginate to form vesicles which release iron to the cytoplasm. Inorganic iron can be transported by an alternative pathway from iron citrate, utilizing a cell surface integrin and a cytoplasmic protein mobilferrin. This article shows that the two pathways donate iron to mobilferrin which acts as an intermediate between the iron bound to transferrin and the incorporation of iron into hemoglobin. Mobilferrin is found associated with the transferrin containing vesicles, and becomes labeled with iron released from transferrin in the vesicles. Mobilferrin is also found in the cytoplasm where pulse-chase experiments show that it, in turn, releases iron to be used for the synthesis of hemoglobin.

Activin B: precursor sequences, genomic structure and in vitro activities.

We report here the complete amino acid sequence of the human inhibin beta B-subunit as deduced from the sequence of cDNA and genomic clones. The primary translation product of the beta B mRNA predicts a protein of 407 amino acids, containing a prepro region of 292 amino acids separated by basic amino acids from the mature C-terminal 115 amino acids. Mammalian tissue culture cells transfected with a beta B-subunit expression plasmid secreted an activin B homodimer of approximately 22K mol wt. Coexpression of the beta A- and beta B-subunit mRNAs resulted in the secretion of the three forms of activin, A, AB, and B. Purified activin B was shown to elicit FSH release in an in vitro pituitary assay and trigger the accumulation of hemoglobin in K562 cells. The potency of activin B in both of these assays (ED50 approximately 2 ng/ml) was indistinguishable from that observed for activin A.

Control of oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in K562 cells induced by hemin

The oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in K562 cells induced by hemin and the relationship between levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and hemoglobin have been investigated. Absorption spectra of induced cells indicate that the hemoglobin is oxygenated; oxygen dissociation curves are symmetric, with a P50 of 20 +/- 0.9 mm Hg, Hill coefficient of 2.5, and a normal temperature dependence. The intracellular pH measured by phosphorus 31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was 7.3. The amount of 2,3-DPG was determined by an enzymatic method and by 31P NMR. The level of 2,3-DPG in uninduced K562 cells, containing 0.5 pg of hemoglobin per cell, was low (5 +/- 0.5 mumole/10(8) cells), but increased to 64 +/- 5 mumole/10(8) cells upon induction of hemoglobin accumulation (to a final level of 20 pg hemoglobin/cell). For several experiments, there was a closely coordinated relationship between 2,3-DPG and hemoglobin levels, at about 1:1 stoichiometry of the two molecules. The time course of induction of hemoglobin, and of 2,3-DPG levels, are very similar; both processes are reversible. These data suggest that induction of hemoglobin synthesis in K562 cells by hemin results in hemoglobin-containing cells with normal oxygenation properties and that 2,3-DPG and hemoglobin levels are coordinately controlled in these cells. Elucidation of the mechanism of this effect should be of importance in understanding the erythroid-like differentiation of these cells.

Control of Oxygen Affinity of Hemoglobin in K562 Cells Induced by Hemin

The oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in K562 cells induced by hemin and the relationship between levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and hemoglobin have been investigated. Absorption spectra of induced cells indicate that the hemoglobin is oxygenated; oxygen dissociation curves are symmetric, with a P50 of 20 +/- 0.9 mm Hg, Hill coefficient of 2.5, and a normal temperature dependence. The intracellular pH measured by phosphorus 31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was 7.3. The amount of 2,3-DPG was determined by an enzymatic method and by 31P NMR. The level of 2,3-DPG in uninduced K562 cells, containing 0.5 pg of hemoglobin per cell, was low (5 +/- 0.5 mumole/10(8) cells), but increased to 64 +/- 5 mumole/10(8) cells upon induction of hemoglobin accumulation (to a final level of 20 pg hemoglobin/cell). For several experiments, there was a closely coordinated relationship between 2,3-DPG and hemoglobin levels, at about 1:1 stoichiometry of the two molecules. The time course of induction of hemoglobin, and of 2,3-DPG levels, are very similar; both processes are reversible. These data suggest that induction of hemoglobin synthesis in K562 cells by hemin results in hemoglobin-containing cells with normal oxygenation properties and that 2,3-DPG and hemoglobin levels are coordinately controlled in these cells. Elucidation of the mechanism of this effect should be of importance in understanding the erythroid-like differentiation of these cells.