Megakaryocytic Differentiation Of K562 Cells Research Articles

The involvement of krüppel-like transcription factor 2 in megakaryocytic differentiation induction by phorbol 12-myrestrat 13-acetate

BackgroundMegakaryocytic differentiation is a complicated process regulated by a series of transcription factors in a context- and stage-dependent manner. Recent studies have suggested that krüppel-like transcription factor 2 (KLF2) is involved in the control of embryonic erythroid precursor cell differentiation and maturation. However, the function and mechanism of KLF2 in regulating megakaryocytic differentiation remain unclear.MethodsThe expression patterns of krüppel-like transcription factors (KLFs) during megakaryocytic differentiation were identified from public databases. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment of the myeloid-erythroid-leukemic cell lines K562 and HEL were used as cellular megakaryocytic differentiation models. A lentiviral transduction system was utilized to achieve the goal of amplifying or reducing KLF2. The expression of KLF2 was examined using real-time PCR and western blot. The impact of KLF2 on the megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells was examined by flow cytometry, Giemsa staining, Phalloidin staining and western blot. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) technologies were used to identify the KLF2-regulated targets.ResultsKLF2 is increased in the maturation process of megakaryocytes. KLF2 overexpression accelerated the PMA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation, as reflected by an increased percentage of CD41/CD61 cells, an increased number of polyploid cells, and an elevated expression of P21 and P27. KLF2 knockdown exhibited the opposite results, indicating that KLF2 knockdown suppressed the megakaryocytic differentiation. Further, combination of the RNA-seq and ChIP-seq results suggested that chimerin 1 (CHN1) and potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 5 (KCNQ5) may be target genes regulated of KLF2. Both CHN1 and KCNQ5 knockdown could block the megakaryocytic differentiation to some content.ConclusionThis study implicated a regulatory role of KLF2 in megakaryocytic differentiation, which may suggest KLF2 as a target for illness with abnormal megakaryocytic differentiation.

Ormeloxifene, a nonsteroidal antifertility drug promotes megakaryocyte differentiation in leukemia cell line K562.

Ormeloxifene (ORM) (3,4-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-p-(β-pyrrolidinoethoxy) phenyl-7-methoxychroman), world's first nonsteroidal selective estrogen receptor modulatorapproved for contraception in India has been shown to have potential anticancer activities. Here, we show that ORMcan induce megakaryocyte and myeloid (granulocytic) but not erythroid differentiation in multipotent human myeloid leukemia cell line K562. We show that ORM at an IC50 of 7.5 µM can induce morphological changes similar to megakaryocytes in K562 cells. ORM led to increase in levels of megakaryocytic differentiation markers (CD41 and CD61) as well as key transcription factors GATA1 and AML1. We further show that ORM induces megakaryocytic differentiation in K562 cells through ERK activation and induction of autophagy in a fashion similar to other known inducers of megakaryocytic differentiation such as phorbol esters. In addition, as shown earlier, we yet again observed that ORM led to activation of caspases since their inhibition through pan-caspase inhibitor mitigated megakaryocytic differentiation as they led to significant decrease in CD41 and CD61. Because induction of megakaryocytic differentiation in K562 involves growth arrest and exit from cell cycle, we also observed an increase in levels of p21 and p27 with decrease in c-Myc protein levels in K562 cells treated with 7.5 µM ORM for 24 and 48 h,respectively. Taken together, these findings indicate that ORM can markedly induce megakaryocytic differentiation in K562 cells.

Synthetic flavagline derivative 1-chloroacetylrocaglaol promotes apoptosis in K562 erythroleukemia cells through miR-17-92 cluster genes.

Chronic myeloid leukemia accounts for human deaths worldwide and could enhance sevenfold by 2050. Thus, the treatment regimen for this disorder is highly crucial at this time. Flavaglines are a natural class of cyclopentane benzofurans exhibiting various bioactivities like anticancer action. Despite the antiproliferative activity of flavaglines against diverse cancer cells, their roles and mechanism of action in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) remain poorly understood. Thus, this study examines the antiproliferative effect of a newly synthesized flavagline derivative, 1-chloracetylrocaglaol (A2074), on erythroleukemia K562 cells and the zebrafish xenograft model. The study revealed that A2074 could inhibit proliferation, promote apoptosis, and boost megakaryocyte differentiation of K562 cells. This flavagline downregulated c-MYC and miR-17-92 cluster genes, targeting upregulation of the apoptotic protein Bcl-2-likeprotein11(BIM). The work uncovered a critical role of the c-MYC-miR-17-92-BIM axis in the growth and survival of CML cells.

UHPLC/MS-Based Serum Metabolomics Reveals the Mechanism of Radiation-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Mice.

Radiation-induced thrombocytopenia is a common and life-threatening side effect of ionizing radiation (IR) therapy. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, irradiation was demonstrated to significantly reduce platelet levels, inhibit megakaryocyte differentiation, and promote the apoptosis of bone marrow (BM) cells. A metabolomics approach and a UHPLC-QTOF MS system were subsequently employed for the comprehensive analysis of serum metabolic profiles of normal and irradiated mice. A total of 66 metabolites were significantly altered, of which 56 were up-regulated and 10 were down-regulated in irradiated mice compared to normal mice on day 11 after irradiation. Pathway analysis revealed that disorders in glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, inositol phosphate metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism were involved in radiation-induced thrombocytopenia. In addition, three important differential metabolites, namely L-tryptophan, LysoPC (17:0), and D-sphinganine, which were up-regulated in irradiated mice, significantly induced the apoptosis of K562 cells. L-tryptophan inhibited megakaryocyte differentiation of K562 cells. Finally, serum metabolomics was performed on day 30 (i.e., when the platelet levels in irradiated mice recovered to normal levels). The contents of L-tryptophan, LysoPC (17:0), and D-sphinganine in normal and irradiated mice did not significantly differ on day 30 after irradiation. In conclusion, radiation can cause metabolic disorders, which are highly correlated with the apoptosis of hematopoietic cells and inhibition of megakaryocyte differentiation, ultimately resulting in thrombocytopenia. Further, the metabolites, L-tryptophan, LysoPC (17:0), and D-sphinganine can serve as biomarkers for radiation-induced thrombocytopenia.

Bioinformatics of Differentially Expressed Genes in Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate-Induced Megakaryocytic Differentiation of K562 Cells by Microarray Analysis.

Megakaryocytes are large hematopoietic cells present in the bone marrow cavity, comprising less than 0.1% of all bone marrow cells. Despite their small number, megakaryocytes play important roles in blood coagulation, inflammatory responses, and platelet production. However, little is known about changes in gene expression during megakaryocyte maturation. Here we identified the genes whose expression was changed during K562 leukemia cell differentiation into megakaryocytes using an Affymetrix GeneChip microarray to determine the multifunctionality of megakaryocytes. K562 cells were differentiated into mature megakaryocytes by treatment for 7 days with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and a microarray was performed using RNA obtained from both types of cells. The expression of 44,629 genes was compared between K562 cells and mature megakaryocytes, and 954 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected based on a p-value < 0.05 and a fold change >2. The DEGs was further functionally classified using five major megakaryocyte function-associated clusters—inflammatory response, angiogenesis, cell migration, extracellular matrix, and secretion. Furthermore, interaction analysis based on the STRING database was used to generate interactions between the proteins translated from the DEGs. This study provides information on the bioinformatics of the DEGs in mature megakaryocytes after K562 cell differentiation.

Heparanase Facilitates PMA-Induced Megakaryocytic Differentiation in K562 Cells via Interleukin 6/STAT3 Pathway.

Heparanase (HPSE) is an endo-β-D-glucuronidase that cleaves heparan sulfate and hence participates in remodeling of the extracellular matrix, leading to release of cytokines that are immobilized by binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), and consequently activating signaling pathways. This function of HPSE is correlated to its expression level that is normally very low in majority of the tissues. Exceptionally, human platelets express high level of HPSE, suggesting a unique physiological role in this cell. Using K562 cell line, we found a progressive increase of HPSE during the megakaryocytic differentiation. Analysis of a series of megakaryocytic differentiation-related heparin-binding proteins (HBPs) in the cell culture medium revealed an exclusive positive correlation between the level of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and HPSE expression. IL-6 modulated megakaryocytic differentiation through activation of STAT3. Further, we demonstrated that overexpression of HPSE potentiates megakaryocytic differentiation, whereas elimination of HPSE led to a delayed differentiation. This function of HPSE is associated with its activity, as overexpression of inactive HPSE had no effect on IL-6 production and megakaryocytic differentiation. The role of HPSE is further supported by the observation in an umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells megakaryocytic differentiation model. Our data propose a novel role for HPSE in platelets production by a HPSE/IL-6/STAT3 positive feedback loop that specifically regulates megakaryocytes maturation.

Activation of Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor 3 Inhibits Megakaryopoiesis in Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Zebrafish.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a membrane-derived lysophospholipid that exists in the plasma and platelets. It exerts its functions through activation of various LPA receptors (LPARs), which belong to the family of G protein-coupled receptors. Activation of LPARs has important roles in stem cell differentiation. However, how LPA affects human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation remains elusive. In our previous studies, we have suggested that LPA receptor 2 (LPA2) and LPA receptor 3 (LPA3) play opposing roles and may act as a molecular switch during megakaryocytic differentiation in K562 cells. In this study, human CD34+ HSCs and zebrafish are adopted to investigate the roles of LPA3 during megakaryopoiesis/thrombopoiesis in vitro and in vivo. Our results show that LPAR3 mRNA expression level is decreased upon induction by thrombopoietin and stem cell factor in human HSCs. Using pharmacological activators and shRNA knockdown experiments, we demonstrate that activation of LPA3 inhibits megakaryopoiesis in human HSCs. In addition, pharmacological activation of LPA3 suppressed thrombopoiesis in zebrafish. Furthermore, blockage of LPA3 translation by morpholino increased the number of CD41-GFP+ cells in Tg(CD41:eGFP) zebrafish. Moreover, the mRNA expression level of zCD41 increased significantly in LPA3-knockout zebrafish. These results clarify the negative role of LPA3 during megakaryopoiesis and provide important information for potential treatments of related diseases, such as megakaryopenia.

A novel role of CKIP-1 in promoting megakaryocytic differentiation.

Casein kinase 2-interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) is a known regulator of cardiomyocytes and macrophage proliferation. In this study, we showed that CKIP-1 was involved in the process of megakaryocytic differentiation. During megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells, CKIP-1 was dramatically upregulated and this upregulation induced by PMA was mediated through downregulation of transcription factor GATA-1. By transient transfection, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we identified the transcriptional regulation of CKIP-1 by GATA-1. Overexpression of CKIP-1 initiated events of spontaneous megakaryocytic differentiation in K562 cells. Conversely, knockdown of CKIP-1 in cell lines suppressed megakaryocytic differentiation. Mechanistically, overexpression of CKIP-1 changed the expression levels of transcription factors that have been shown to be critical in erythro-megakaryocytic differentiation such as Fli-1, c-Myb and c-Myc. In vivo analysis confirmed that CKIP-1−/− mice had decreased number of CD41+ cells harvested from bone marrow, and lower platelet levels when compared to wild-type littermates. This is the first direct evidence suggesting that CKIP-1 is a novel regulator of megakaryocytic differentiation.

The epigenetically-regulated miR-34a targeting c-SRC suppresses RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in K-562 cells

Previous reports show that miR-34a suppressed K-562 cell proliferation and contributed to megakaryocytic differentiation of K-562 cells. Here, we reported that miR-34a, a tumor suppressor gene, is down-regulated in the K-562 cells and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients due to aberrant DNA hypermethylation. c-SRC is a target of miR-34a. Restoring miR-34a expression resulted in down-regulation of c-SRC and phosphorylated (Tyr416) c-SRC protein in K-562 cells, which consequently triggered suppression of the RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway to decrease cell proliferation.

Crispr/Cas9-Induced DNMT3A Mutations in the K562 Human Leukemic Cell Line As a Model of DNMT3A-Mutated Leukemogenesis

Background:DNA methyltransferase 3A(DNMT3A) is a member of the DNA methyltransferase family primarily involved in de novo gene methylation. Mutations in DNMT3A are associated with a wide range of hematological malignancies, most frequently acute myeloid leukemia (AML). DNMT3A mutations are thought to produce a pre-leukemic state, rendering cells vulnerable to secondary oncogenic mutations and malignant transformation. Mutations in DNMT3A often coexist with secondary lesions in leukemia-related genes such as NPM1 and FLT3 (Ley T et al., N Engl J Med, 2010). Furthermore, healthy individuals harboring DNMT3A-driven clonal hematopoiesis are at increased risk of future hematologic malignancies and all-cause mortality (Jaiswal S et al., N Engl J Med, 2014). Despite these important clinical associations, the mechanisms by which DNMT3A mutations contribute to malignant transformation have not been well-defined. Dnmt3a-knockout (KO)mouse hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) preferentially self-renew rather than undergo differentiation, leading to their accumulation in the bone marrow (Challen GA et al., Nat Genet, 2011). DNMT3A loss has also been shown to drive hypomethylation and subsequent activation of leukemia-related genes (Lu R et al., Cancer Cell, 2016; Yang L et al., Cancer Cell, 2016). However, these findings have not been recapitulated using human tissue. The goals of this study were thus to determine the transcriptional and biological effects of DNMT3A mutations which contribute towards malignant transformation in human cells.Methods:To elucidate the effects of DNMT3A mutation, we introduced DNMT3A frameshift mutations into K562 cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system. We then performed various functional and genomic assays to better elucidate effects of DNMT3A loss.Results and Discussion:We successfully created 4 DNMT3A-KO K562 clones and 1 clone containing a mutation that produces an altered DNMT3A protein with an intact catalytic domain (DNMT3A-alt). We first assessed effects of DNMT3A loss on cell growth and apoptosis. DNMT3A-KO clones exhibited impaired growth compared to wild-type (WT) cells. DNMT3A-KO clones also displayed significantly increased apoptotic activity after exposure to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The DNMT3A-alt clone had similar growth and apoptotic activity to WT cells. We examined how DNMT3A loss impacted differentiation using phorbal 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), known to induce megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells. After overnight exposure to PMA, DNMT3A-KO clones exhibited less CD61 expression, a marker of megakaryocytic differentiation, than did WT cells. Again, the differentiation of the DNMT3A-alt clonewas comparable to WT. Finally, we performed karyotype analysis to elucidate a potential role of DNMT3A in maintaining genomic integrity. Surprisingly, DNMT3A-KO clones exhibited profound cytogenetic variability and genomic instability compared to WT, with most DNMT3A-KO clones containing dicentric chromosomes and ring forms in multiple spreads (Figure 1). The DNMT3A-alt clone had a karyotype identical to WT. CRISPR/Cas9-edited K562 clones without DNMT3A mutation (transfected WT or tWT) also had identical karyotypes to WT K562. TA cloning and mRNA sequencing were employed to elucidate whether loss of DNMT3A would lead to transcriptome instability. DNMT3A-KOand DNMT3A-altclones exhibited distorted splicing patterns, while tWT cell lines were comparable to WT. To further assess the effect of DNMT3A ablation on genomic integrity, we examined DNA-damage responses by measuring DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) after treatment with 5-FU. DNMT3A-KO clones were significantly more susceptible to DNA damage than were WT cells, while the DNMT3A-alt clone exhibited more DNA DSBs compared to WT only at high concentrations of 5-FU.Conclusion:CRISPR/Cas9-mediated DNMT3A-KO K562 cells may be used to model effects of DNMT3A mutations in human cells. Consistent with previous reports, our data suggest that DNMT3A is involved in the differentiation of multipotent progenitors. Novel to this approach, our findings implicate induction of genomic instability as a mechanism by which DNMT3A mutations might predispose to malignancy. [Display omitted] DisclosuresHosokawa:Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation: Research Funding. Townsley:Novartis: Research Funding. Young:GSK/Novartis: Research Funding.

ERK2-Pyruvate Kinase Axis Permits Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate-induced Megakaryocyte Differentiation in K562 Cells

Metabolic changes that contribute to differentiation are not well understood. Overwhelming evidence shows the critical role of glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase (PK) in directing metabolism of proliferating cells. However, its role in metabolism of differentiating cells is unclear. Here we studied the role of PK in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced megakaryocytic differentiation in human leukemia K562 cells. We observed that PMA treatment decreased cancer-type anabolic metabolism but increased ATP production, along with up-regulated expression of two PK isoforms (PKM2 and PKR) in an ERK2-dependent manner. Interestingly, silencing of PK (PKM2 and PKR) inhibited PMA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation, as revealed by decreased expression of megakaryocytic differentiation marker CD61 and cell cycle behavior. Further, PMA-induced ATP production reduced greatly upon PK silencing, suggesting that PK is required for ATP synthesis. In addition to metabolic effects, PMA treatment also translocated PKM2, but not PKR, into nucleus. ERK1/2 knockdowns independently and together suggested the role of ERK2 in the up-regulation of both the isoforms of PK, proposing a role of ERK2-PK isoform axis in differentiation. Collectively, our findings unravel ERK2 guided PK-dependent metabolic changes during PMA induction, which are important in megakaryocytic differentiation.

Regulatory Roles of KLF3 in Hematopoiesis of K562 Leukemia Cells

Objective: KLF3 (Kruppel-like factor 3) is involved in the differentiation and development of a wide range of cell lineages. However, the regulatory roles of KLF3 in hematopoiesis of K562 leukemia cells remain largely unknown. Methods: The public gene expression databases that represent the heterogeneity of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) disease were downloaded from GEO datasets in NCBI. KLF3-deficient K562 stable cells were established and microarray datasets were analyzed. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was used to identify the affected hematopoiesis-associated genes in KLF3-deficient K562 cells. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) was used to identify the affected hematopoiesis-associated functions, interaction networks, pathways and the upstream regulators involving differentially expressed genes (DEGs). KLF3-deficient K562 cells were respectively induced towards erythrocytes and megakaryocytes with hemin and PMA, and phenotypic analyses were performed. We also utilized qPCR technique to analyze KLF3 expression during erythroid and megakaryocyte differentiation of K562 cells. Results: We report that KLF3 is aberrantly expressed at low levels in primary acute leukemia blast cells from patients that are associated with the accumulation of immature myeloid or lymphoid phenotypes of leukemia cells. The bioinformatics analyses reveal that KLF3 is closely involved in hematopoiesis-associated functions in K562 leukemia cells, and potentially regulates hematopoiesis of different blood cell lineages, including erythrocytes and megakaryocytes. KLF3 is probably associated with the pathology of hematological diseases. Finally, the functional analysis demonstrated that KLF3 deficiency accelerates K562 leukemia cells towards erythroid and megakaryocyte differentiation, and is indispensable for the early stage of hematopoiesis in K562 leukemia cells. We also proposed the potential mechanisms that KLF3 regulates hematopoiesis in K562 cells. Conclusion: Our results first reveal that KLF3 regulates erythroid and megakaryocyte differentiation of K562 leukemia cells, and KLF3 deficiency is indispensible for the early stage of erythroid and megakaryocyte differentiation in K562 leukemia cells.

Megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells induced by PMA reduced the activity of respiratory chain complex IV.

Mitochondria are involved in the regulation of cell differentiation processes, but its function changes and molecular mechanisms are not yet clear. In this study, we found that mitochondrial functions changed obviously when K562 cells were induced to megakaryocytic differentiation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). During the cell differentiation, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was increased, mitochondrial membrane potential declined and respiratory chain complex IV activity was decreased. Treatment with specific inhibitor of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV led to a significant inhibition in mitochondrial membrane potential and reduction of PMA-induced cell differentiation. However, treatment with cyclosporine A, a stabilization reagent of mitochondrial membrane potential, did not improve the down-regulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV induced by PMA. Furthermore, we found that the level of the complex IV core subunit COX3 and mitochondrial transport-related proteins Tim9 and Tim10 were decreased during the differentiation of K562 cells induced by PMA, suggesting an important role of these factors in mitochondrial functional changes. Our results suggest that changes in mitochondrial functions are involved in the PMA-induced K562 cell differentiation process, and the maintenance of the steady-state of mitochondrial functions plays a critical role in the regulation of cell differentiation.

Effects of THAP11 on Erythroid Differentiation and Megakaryocytic Differentiation of K562 Cells

Hematopoiesis is a complex process regulated by sets of transcription factors in a stage-specific and context-dependent manner. THAP11 is a transcription factor involved in cell growth, ES cell pluripotency, and embryogenesis. Here we showed that THAP11 was down-regulated during erythroid differentiation but up-regulated during megakaryocytic differentiation of cord blood CD34+ cells. Overexpression of THAP11 in K562 cells inhibited the erythroid differentiation induced by hemin with decreased numbers of benzidine-positive cells and decreased mRNA levels of α-globin (HBA) and glycophorin A (GPA), and knockdown of THAP11 enhanced the erythroid differentiation. Conversely, THAP11 overexpression accelerated the megakaryocytic differentiation induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) with increased percentage of CD41+ cells, increased numbers of 4N cells, and elevated CD61 mRNA levels, and THAP11 knockdown attenuated the megakaryocytic differentiation. The expression levels of transcription factors such as c-Myc, c-Myb, GATA-2, and Fli1 were changed by THAP11 overexpression. In this way, our results suggested that THAP11 reversibly regulated erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation.

ZNF16 (HZF1) promotes erythropoiesis and megakaryocytopoiesis via regulation of the c-KIT gene

We previously characterized the zinc finger protein gene HZF1 [also known as ZNF16 (zinc finger protein 16)] and demonstrated its important roles in erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells. In the present study, we investigated its effect on erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation of HSPCs (haemopoietic stem/progenitor cells). We observed up-regulation of ZNF16 during erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation of the CD34+ HSPCs, and demonstrated that ZNF16 promotes erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation by gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments. Using a luciferase reporter and ChIP assays ZNF16 was demonstrated to bind to the c-KIT gene promoter and inhibit its expression in K562 cells. Enforced expression and knockdown of ZNF16 down-regulated and up-regulated the expression of the c-KIT gene in K562 cells and HSPCs respectively. Significantly decreased levels of the c-Kit protein were observed following erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 and CD34+ cells. The knockdown of c-KIT partially rescued the differentiation inhibition caused by ZNF16 knockdown. The knockdown of c-KIT also blocked the activity of the c-Raf/MEK [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) kinase]/ERK/c-Jun signal pathway and reduced further the level of HEY1 (hes-related family bHLH transcription factor with YRPW motif 1), a repressor of GATA1 (GATA-binding protein 1) transcription, which finally up-regulated the expression of GATA1, a central regulator of erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation. In conclusion the results of the present study demonstrate that ZNF16 plays an important role in erythropoiesis and megakaryocytopoiesis via its regulation of the c-Kit/c-Raf/MEK/ERK/c-Jun/HEY1/GATA1 cascade.

Promoted megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells through oxidative stress caused by near ultraviolet irradiation.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proven to be important activators for various cellular activities, including cell differentiation. Several reports showed the necessity of ROS during cell differentiation of the megakaryocytic (MK) lineage. In this study, we employed near ultraviolet (near-UV) irradiation to generate endogenous oxidative stress in an MK differentiation process of K562 cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induction. A significant increase in the intracellular ROS level was detected on day 1 after near-UV irradiation. In the initial stage of differentiation, a shifted fraction of G1 and G2 phase cells was obtained using near-UV irradiation, giving an increased percentage of G2 phase cells (up from 31.1 to 68.7%). The near-UV irradiation-induced upregulation of the p21 gene, which is a cell cycle inhibitor, suggested that the G2 phase cells were prevented from undergoing cell division. It was found that the percentage of high ploidy (8N and 16N) cells was enhanced significantly at the later stage of the K562 cell culture with near-UV irradiation. Moreover, time-lapse analysis showed that near-UV irradiation encouraged the expression of CD41, a specific surface marker of megakaryocytes. This is the first report that the elevated oxidative stress through the near-UV irradiation promoted the MK differentiation of PMA-induced K562 cells.

VASP Protein, a Binding Partner Of BCR-ABL and FAK, May Be Implicated In The Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Phenotype

BackgroundVASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) and Zyxin are actin regulatory proteins that control cell-cell adhesion. Zyxin directs actin assembly by interacting and recruiting VASP to specific sites of adhesion. The phosphorylation of VASP modifies their activity in cell-cell junctions. PKA phosphorylates VASP at serine 157 regulating VASP cellular functions. VASP is a substrate of BCR-ABL oncoprotein and is tyrosine-phosphorylated in leukemic cells. However, the function of VASP and Zyxin in hematopoietic cells, in the BCR-ABL pathway and its participation in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) remains unknown. AimsTo analyze VASP and Zyxin expression in bone marrow cells from CML patients and healthy donors, as well the involvement of these proteins in hematopoietic cell differentiation and in the BCR-ABL signaling pathway. Materials and MethodsVASP and Zyxin expression and phosphorylation were studied in bone marrow samples from 29 individuals (5 healthy donors, 5 CML patients at diagnosis, 16 CML patients responsive to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ITK) and 3 CML patients resistant to ITK). One patient was analyzed at diagnosis and after ITK response. VASP or Zyxin silencing was performed by shRNA-lentiviral delivery in K562 cell line, an appropriated shControl was used. ShControl, shVASP and shZyxin K562 cells were induced to megakaryocytic differentiation with 20nM of PMA (phorbol myristate -13 -12 acetate) during 4 days and CD61 expression, a marker for maturing megakaryocytes, was verified by flow cytometry. During megakaryocytic differentiation, VASP and Zyxin gene expressions were evaluated by quantitative PCR; protein expression and activation were determined by Western blotting. Effector proteins of proliferation, apoptosis and adhesion in the BCR-ABL signaling pathway were analyzed in cells silenced for VASP or Zyxin. The interaction of VASP and BCR-ABL or FAK was evaluated by co-immunoprecipiation. ResultsHealthy donors showed p-VASP ser157 expression, in contrast to CML patients at diagnosis who did not present phospho-VASP ser157. After Imatinib treatment CML patients restored VASP phosphorylation however resistant patients maintained this absence. Zyxin showed the same expression in patients and healthy donors. During Imatinib treatment of K562 cells, phospho-VASP ser157 expression was increased and its interaction with BCR-ABL protein was reduced. VASP and Zyxin gene expressions were upregulated during megakaryocyte differentiation of K562 cells (8.7-fold increase, P=0.0115, and 3.6-fold increase, P=0.015, respectively). VASP and Zyxin protein expressions were increased during megakaryocytic differentiation, including the active form of these proteins (p-VASP ser157 and p-Zyxin ser142). VASP silencing in K562 cells resulted in a 40% decrease of CD61 expression at the end of the megakaryocytic differentiation (P<0.05). In addition, VASP and Zyxin silencing resulted in a decrease of BCL-2 and BCL-XL proteins. VASP binds to FAK, an adhesion effector protein of the BCR-ABL pathway, and it´s silencing resulted in a decreased phosphorylation of FAK y925. ConclusionsIn BCR-ABL cells, VASP and Zyxin modulated anti-apoptotic proteins and megakaryocytic differentiation. Hence, the altered expression of VASP activity in CML patients may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease, affecting cellular differentiation or leukemic cell adhesion. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

FMNL1 Is Downregulated In Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Is Involved In Megakaryocytic Differentiation

BackgroundMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are disorders characterized by morphological dysplasia, impaired differentiation and defective cellular functions, resulting in peripheral cytopenias. FMNL1 belongs to a family of formin-related proteins, indispensable for many fundamental actin-dependent processes. Recently, FMNL1 has been described to be upregulated and play a role in the actin cytoskeleton dynamics during monocyte differentiation to macrophages. AimsThe aim of this work was to characterize FMNL1 expression in total bone marrow cells of patients with MDS comparing to normal donors. We also analyzed FMNL1 expression in erythrocytic, granulocytic and megakaryocytic differentiation, using cell line models. Finally, we evaluated the impact of inhibition of FMNL1 during megakaryocytic differentiation. MethodsA total of 49 patients with a diagnosis of MDS, receiving no treatment, and 18 samples from normal donors were included in the study, which was approved by the National Ethical Committee Board. Samples were submitted to RNA extraction after removal of erythrocytes by hemolysis. FMNL1 expression levels from cell lines or total bone marrow cells were determined by quantitative PCR (q-PCR) or Western blot. KU812 was treated 50 μM hemin and 100 μM hydroxyurea for erythrocytic differentiation. K562 was stimulated with 20nM of PMA for megakaryocytic differentiation. NB4 was treated with 10-6 M of ATRA for granulocytic differentiation. Megakaryocytic differentiation was followed by the increase in megakaryocytic marker (CD61) determined by flow cytometry and cells were also stained with May–Grunwald–Giemsa. K562 cells were transduced with lentivirus-mediated shRNA targeting LacZ or FMNL1. Apoptosis was assessed by Annexin-V/PI staining and cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry, both at 24 and 48 hours after induction with PHA. The statistical methods used were the age-adjusted multivariate linear regression analysis, Mann Whitney test or t test. ResultsFMNL1 expression in bone marrow samples was significantly lower in MDS when compared with normal donor cells (P=0.01), especially in the high risk group (P<0.02). Using cell line models for hematopoietic differentiation, there was a fifteen-fold increase and a five-fold increase in FMNL1 expression for megakaryocytic (P=0.002) and granulocytic differentiation (P=0.05) respectively. Western blot analysis corroborated these findings. There was no difference for erythrocytic differentiation. After PMA treatment, the level of the megakaryocytic markers CD61 was significantly lower in K562 shFMNL1 when compared with shLacZ (P=0.01). The level of CD41a (P=0.5) and CD42b (P=0.1) showed a trend toward a decrease in K562 shFMNL1 when compared with shLacZ, however not statistically significantly. Corroborating these data, K562 shFMNL1 showed abnormal megakaryocytic morphological features (larger cells with polylobulated or polysegmented nuclei and vacuolization) compared with cells shLacZ. There were no statistical differences in the apoptosis levels and cell cycle analysis between K562 shFMNL1 and shLacz cells. ConclusionsThe family of formin-related proteins has mainly been related to actin-dependent processes although little is known regarding their possible involvement in haematopoiesis. The lower FMNL1 expression in MDS BM could reflect the role of this protein in cell differentiation. We were therefore prompted to study this issue in depth using megakaryocytic differentiation as a system. In this study, we show increased expression of FMNL1 in PMA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells. Furthermore, knockdown of FMNL1 deregulates differentiation, suggesting that FMNL1 is required in order to maintain the effective megakaryocytopoiesis in MDS. Although FMNL1 silencing effectively down-regulated CD61 expression, CD41a and CD42b were reduced to a lesser extent. The effect of FMNL1 cannot be explained by modifications of the cell cycle or apoptosis during differentiation; and is probably due to the effect in changes in the dynamic remodeling of the cytoskeleton. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Synergistic effect of hydrogen peroxide on polyploidization during the megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 leukemia cells by PMA

The human myelogenous cell line, K562 has been extensively used as a model for the study of megakaryocytic (MK) differentiation, which could be achieved by exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In this study, real-time PCR analysis revealed that the expression of catalase (cat) was significantly repressed during MK differentiation of K562 cells induced by PMA. In addition, PMA increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, suggesting that ROS was a key factor for PMA-induced differentiation. PMA-differentiated K562 cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to clarify the function of ROS during MK differentiation. Interestingly, the percentage of high-ploidy (DNA content >4N) cells with H2O2 was 34.8±2.3% at day 9, and was 70% larger than that without H2O2 (21.5±0.8%). Further, H2O2 addition during the first 3 days of PMA-induced MK differentiation had the greatest effect on polyploidization. In an effort to elucidate the mechanisms of enhanced polyploidization by H2O2, the BrdU assay clearly indicated that H2O2 suppressed the division of 4N cells into 2N cells, followed by the increased polyploidization of K562 cells. These findings suggest that the enhancement in polyploidization mediated by H2O2 is due to synergistic inhibition of cytokinesis with PMA. Although H2O2 did not increase ploidy during the MK differentiation of primary cells, we clearly observed that cat expression was repressed in both immature and mature primary MK cells, and that treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine effectively blocked and/or delayed the polyploidization of immature MK cells. Together, these findings suggest that MK cells are more sensitive to ROS levels during earlier stages of maturation.

Effects of radiation on the maturation of megakaryocytes

Megakaryocytes are generated by the differentiation of megakaryocytic progenitors; however, little information has been reported regarding how ionizing radiation affects the differentiation pathway and cellular responses. Human leukemia K562 cells have been used as a model to study megakaryocytic differentiation. In the present study, to investigate the effects of radiation on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells, the cellular processes responsible for the expression of CD41 antigen (GPIIb/IIIa), which is reported to be expressed early in megakaryocyte maturation, were analyzed. The expression of CD41 antigens was significantly increased 72 h after treatment with both 4 Gy X-irradiation and PMA. In this fraction, two populations, CD41low and CD41high cells, were detected by flow cytometry. The CD41high cells sustained intracellular ROS at the initial level for up to 72 h, but CD41low cells had reduced ROS by 48 h. The maximum suppressive effect on CD41 expression was observed when N-acetyl cysteine, which is known to act as a ROS scavenger, was administered 48 h after PMA stimulation. When K562 cells were pretreated with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitors, an ERK1/2 inhibitor and a p38 MAPK inhibitor, followed by X-irradiation and PMA stimulation, the reactivity profiles of both inhibitors showed the involvement of MAPK pathway. There is a possibility that the K562 cell population contains at least two types of radiosensitive megakaryocytic progenitors with respect to ROS production mechanisms, and intracellular ROS levels determine the extent of CD41 expression.