Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line THP-1 Research Articles

Purification to homogeneity and the N-terminal sequence of human leukotriene C4 synthase: a homodimeric glutathione S-transferase composed of 18-kDa subunits.

Human leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthase was purified > 25,000-fold to homogeneity from the monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. Beginning with taurocholate-solubilized microsomal membranes, LTC4 synthase was chromatographically resolved by (i) anion exchange, (ii) affinity chromatography (through a resin of biotinylated LTC2 immobilized on streptavidin-agarose), and then (iii) gel filtration. The final preparation contained only an 18-kDa polypeptide. The molecular mass of the pure polypeptide was consistent with an 18-kDa polypeptide from THP-1 cell membranes that was specifically photolabeled by an LTC4 photoaffinity probe, 125I-labeled azido-LTC4. On calibrated gel-filtration columns, purified LTC4 synthase activity eluted at a volume corresponding to 39.2 +/- 3.3 kDa (n = 12). The sequence of the N-terminal 35 amino acids was determined and found to be a unique sequence composed predominantly of hydrophobic amino acids and containing a consensus sequence for protein kinase C phosphorylation. We therefore conclude that human LTC4 synthase is a glutathione S-transferase composed of an 18-kDa polypeptide that is enzymatically active as a homodimer and may be phosphoregulated in vivo.

Photoaffinity labelling of human leukotriene C 4 synthase in THP-1 cell membranes

Human leukotriene C 4 synthase specific activity in the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 (0.302 ± 0.062 nmol LTC 4 formed · min −1 mg −1) was 7.6-fold higher than in U937 cells (0.040 ± 0.017 nmol LTC 4 formed · min −1 · mg −1) and comparable to dimethylsulfoxide-differentiated U937 cells (0.399 ± 0.084 nmol LTC 4 formed · min −1 · mg −1). Using the photoaffinity probe, azido[ 125I]-LTC 4, a single polypeptide with a molecular mass of 18 kDa was specifically labelled in THP-1 microsomal membranes. The rank order of potencies for competition of azido[ 125I]-LTC 4 photolabelling of the 18 kDa protein by glutathione, leukotrienes and their analogs was found to be LTC 2 > (azido[ 127I]-LTC 4 ≈ LTC 4) > (LTD 4 ≈ LTE 4) > (LTA 4 ≈ LTB 4) > S-hexyl glutathione > glutathione, corresponded with the rank order of potencies for inhibition of LTC 4 synthase activity but not inhibition of microsomal glutathione S-transferase activity. The 18 kDa protein specifically labelled by azido[ 125I]-LTC 4 had high specificity for LTC 4 and closely related leukotrienes and was separable from microsomal glutathione S-transferase. We conclude that azido[ 125I]-LTC 4 specifically photolabels LTC 4 synthase which is an 18 kDa polypeptide or contains an 18 kDa subunit.

Stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium mobilization by Fc gamma receptor cross-linking. Regulation by the phosphotyrosine phosphatase CD45.

The binding and subsequent cross-linking of murine IgG2a or human IgG to the Fc gamma R on the monocytic cell line THP-1 induced a rapid, dose-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins (a doublet centered around 110 kDa, and bands at 80, 60, and 52 kDa) and smaller increases in other proteins. This phosphorylation was accompanied by an increase in intracellular free Ca2+. The signaling required the cross-linking of the IgG, either through a biotin-avidin complex or with a F(ab')2 second antibody. Cross-linking of an F(ab')2 fragment of mAb 32.2 to Fc gamma RI (CD64) or an Fab fragment of mAb IV.3 to Fc gamma RII (CDw32) gave similar results to those observed with intact murine IgG2a or human IgG. Cross-linking of a F(ab')2 fragment of mAb 3G8 to Fc gamma RIII (CD16) had very little effect. Increases in both tyrosine phosphorylation and intracellular free Ca2+ were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner upon treatment of THP-1 cells with the tyrosine kinase inhibitors herbimycin-A, genistein, or erbstatin. Additionally, there was a marked inhibition of both Ca2+ mobilization and tyrosine phosphorylation when a F(ab')2 fragment of a mAb (T191) to the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45, was co-cross-linked with either Hu-IgG, Mu-IgG2a, F(ab')2 anti-Fc gamma RI, or Fab anti-Fc gamma RII. Taken together these results suggest that signaling through Fc gamma RI (CD64) and Fc gamma RII (CDw32) in the monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 gives rise to rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins followed by an increase in intracellular calcium. In addition, CD45 is able to inhibit the intracellular signaling when it is brought into close proximity to the Fc gamma R. This suggests that this transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase may regulate the stimulation of the cells through the Fc gamma R.

Phorbol ester reduces constitutive nuclear NF kappa B and inhibits HIV-1 production in mature human monocytic cells.

NF kappa B is a potent mediator of specific gene expression in human monocytes and has been shown to play a role in transcription of the HIV-1 genome in promonocytic leukemias. There is little information available on the response of NF kappa B to cytokines in normal human monocytes. We have used a 32P-labeled oligonucleotide derived from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) long terminal repeat, which contains a tandem repeat of the NF kappa B binding sequence, as a probe in a gel retardation assay to study this transcription factor. Using this assay, we have detected NF kappa B in extracts of nuclei from normal human monocytes. Treatment of normal monocytes with 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) for 4-24 h caused the complete disappearance of NF kappa B from nuclear extracts of monocytes. A similar result was obtained with the mature monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. The constitutive transcription factor SP1 was unaffected by addition of TPA. The disappearance of NF kappa B from the nucleus was concentration dependent between 10 and 50 ng/ml of phorbol ester. In THP-1 cells, TPA also induced a new, faster-migrating NF kappa B species not induced in monocytes. Protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine, but not cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase inhibitor HA-1004, also dramatically reduced constitutive levels of nuclear NF kappa B. Finally, TPA addition to monocytes infected with HIV-1 inhibited HIV-1 replication, as determined by reverse transcriptase assays, in a concentration-dependent manner. These results are in striking contrast to the increase in nuclear NF kappa B and HIV-1 replication induced by phorbol esters in promonocytic leukemia cells U937 and HL-60, and emphasize the importance of studying cytokine regulation of HIV-1 in normal monocytes.

The effect of calcium mobilization on LPS-induced IL-1 beta production depends on the differentiation stage of the monocytes/macrophages.

The role of elevated intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i in the LPS-induced activation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) production was examined in cells representing different stages of myeloid differentiation (undifferentiated monocytic leukaemia cell line THP-1, THP-1 cells induced to adherent, macrophage-like cells by phorbol ester treatment and normal peripheral blood-derived adherent monocytes). LPS did not elevate the [Ca2+]i as measured by the Fura-2 fluorescence technique. When these cells were stimulated with LPS in the presence of the calcium ionophore A23187, a clear increase in the IL-1 beta protein production was observed in the undifferentiated THP-1 cells but not in the more differentiated cell types. This ionophore-induced increase was also seen in the IL-1 beta mRNA levels. Thus these data confirm the previous findings demonstrating that elevation of [Ca2+]i is not involved in the LPS-dependent signal transmission. However, the LPS-induced signals are greatly potentiated by the elevated [Ca2+]i, but only in undifferentiated monocytic cells.

Calcium ionophore treatment impairs the sterol-mediated suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase, and farnesyl diphosphate synthetase.

We report that the sterol-mediated suppression of the mRNA levels of three cholesterogenic enzymes, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, HMG-CoA synthase, and farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthetase is partially overcome by the calcium ionophore A23187. Addition of A23187 to the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 in the presence of fetal calf serum led to rapid increases in mRNA concentration of up to 40-fold for HMG-CoA synthase and 15-fold for HMG-CoA reductase with little or no change in FPP synthetase mRNA levels. Treatment of HepG2 cells with A23187 resulted in approximately 2-4-fold increases in the mRNA levels for these three enzymes. The increases in HMG-CoA synthase and HMG-CoA reductase mRNAs were maximal after treatment of THP-1 cells with 10 micrograms/ml A23187 for 3 h. The stimulation was blocked by actinomycin D but not by cycloheximide treatment. Ionophore treatment had no effect on the half-lives of the mRNAs for HMG-CoA reductase and HMG-CoA synthase. Surprisingly, the addition of A23187 to THP-1 cells incubated in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol and mevalonic acid also led to significant increases in the mRNA levels for HMG-CoA reductase and HMG-CoA synthase. Finally, the stimulation of these mRNA levels by A23187 was reduced in cells in which protein kinase C had been inactivated by preincubation of the cells with a phorbol ester. Taken together, these data suggest that A23187 treatment results in increased transcription of HMG-CoA reductase, HMG-CoA synthase, and, in some cell types, FPP synthetase by a mechanism that does not involve de novo protein synthesis. We speculate that A23187 treatment results in the modification of a trans-acting factor(s) which is common for the transcription of all these genes.

Phospholipase C-induced monocytic differentiation in a human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1.

Previous studies showed that the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 can be induced to undergo monocytic differentiation by tumor promoting phorbol esters (TPA), suggesting that protein kinase C (PK-C), the primary binding site of TPA, may play a role in the control of monocytic differentiation: The effect of exogenous phospholipase C (PLC) on THP-1 cells was investigated. Within 24-48 hr, PLC induced over 40% of THP-1 cells to undergo monocytic differentiation as manifested by adherence, growth arrest, functional expression, morphological changes and expression of c-fms gene which encode for M-CSF receptors. Compared to TPA, however, the inducing activity of PLC was weaker, slower and not as effective. PLC treatment also induced a transient expression of c-fos proto-oncogene prior to c-fms expression. On the contrary, the level of c-myc RNA, which is constitutively expressed in THP-1 cells, was down-regulated 48 hr after PLC treatment. The PLC-induced monocytic differentiation in THP-1 cells was inhibited by staurosporine, a potent PK-C inhibitor, further suggesting that direct activation of the PK-C is one of the metabolic events essential for monocytic differentiation. It is postulated that in THP-1 cells the metabolic pathway transducing PK-C activation has been permanently blocked, thereby leading to uncontrolled proliferation without differentiation.

Transcriptional activation of the lipoprotein lipase gene in macrophages by dexamethasone

The effect of dexamethasone on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene expression during macrophage differentiation was investigated by using the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 and human monocyte-derived macrophages. Addition of dexamethasone to THP-1 cells increased steady-state levels of LPL mRNA and LPL mass accumulation in the medium during PMA-induced differentiation by 4-fold. Studies with human monocyte-derived macrophages showed a similar effect of dexamethasone on LPL expression. Peak LPL mRNA levels were achieved 24-h post-dexamethasone addition to THP-1 cells. Optimal stimulation of LPL mRNA occurred when dexamethasone was added 24 h after induction with PMA. Thereafter, there was rapid decline in responsiveness to dexamethasone. Induction of LPL mRNA in THP-1 cells was completely blocked by actinomycin D, suggesting that induction was transcription dependent. The stability of LPL mRNA was not influenced by dexamethasone. Treatment of THP-1 cells with PMA led to a 2-fold increase in specific binding of dexamethasone and a 4-fold increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA within 12 h. Thus, dexamethasone stimulates LPL gene expression during differentiation of human macrophages, a process that involves induction of glucocorticoid receptor synthesis and activation.

Isolation and sequence of the human farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase cDNA. Coordinate regulation of the mRNAs for farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase by phorbol ester.

We report the isolation and nucleotide sequence of the human farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase cDNA, an enzyme in the cholesterogenic pathway. Partial cDNAs for the human farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase were isolated by screening human hepatoma (HepG2) and placental cDNA libraries with the rat liver cDNA for farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase as a probe. Anchored polymerase chain reaction was used to isolate the 5'-end of the cDNA. The nucleotide sequence of the human farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase cDNA has high identity (86%) to the rat liver cDNA. Treatment of the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 with phorbol esters led to 2--7-fold increases in mRNA concentrations for the three cholesterogenic enzymes, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, and HMG-CoA synthase within 5 h. Immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled cells demonstrated that there was a corresponding increase in the rate of synthesis of all three proteins. The addition of cycloheximide to cells also led to increases in the mRNA concentrations of the three enzymes. Treatment of cells with phorbol esters and cycloheximide resulted in superinduction of all three mRNAs; HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels increased 35-fold, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase 17-fold, and HMG-CoA reductase 16-fold 5 h after treatment. The mRNA levels returned to pretreatment levels by 20 h. Cells were also preincubated in the presence of a lipoprotein-deficient fraction of serum plus mevinolin to induce the levels of the three mRNAs. Addition of phorbol esters and cycloheximide to these derepressed cells led to further increases in the mRNA levels for all three enzymes. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that THP-1 cells contain a short-lived negative transcription factor which regulates transcription of the FPP synthetase, HMG-CoA reductase, and HMG-CoA synthase genes. Phorbol esters also regulate these same genes, presumably by modifying a common negative transcription factor and/or by inducing a positive transcription factor(s).

Interactions between the human monocytic leukaemia THP-1 cell line and Old and New World species of Leishmania

The human promyelocytic THP-1 cell line has been found to support the growth of Leishmania parasites. THP-1 cells, differentiated with retinoic acid, cease replication while remaining in suspension. 72±8% of THP-1 cells became infected after inoculation with promastigotes of several Old and New World Leishmania species. The resulting amastigotes (19±5 per infected cell) were easy to harvest, capable of reinfecting cultures of normal human cells and, in the case of L. major and L. infantum, caused specific lesions in BALB/c mice. This culture system should facilitate biochemical and immunological studies on amastigotes and be of use in screening anti-parasite drugs.

T cell inhibitor secreted by macrophages and endothelial cells

On stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), normal human macrophages (Mφ) and endothelial cells (EC) produced factors which inhibited interleukin 2 (IL-2)-dependent lymphocyte proliferation and PHA plus interleukin 1 (IL-1)-dependent mouse thymocyte proliferation but not IL-1-dependent human fibroblast proliferation, suggesting that they were inhibitors of the IL-2 response. In addition, these factors inhibited the production of IL-2 by normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The factors also inhibited PBMC proliferation in response to PHA and concanavalin (Con A) but did not inhibit the proliferation of EC, U937 cells, or Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells. On Sephadex G200 gel filtration, the inhibitory factors from both Mφ and EC were detected almost entirely in a 130- to 150-kDa fraction, but active material was also detected in a 15- to 20-kDa fraction. On isoelectric chromatofocusing of the 130- to 150-kDa fraction, inhibitory activity was associated with fractions eluted at three isoelectric points, pH 7.0, 5.4, and 4.8. The isoelectric fractions isolated from Mφ and EC showed similar patterns of inhibition. When 130- to 150-kDa fractions from Sephadex G200 of the Mφ and EC supernatants were treated with an antibody against a macrophage-derived suppressor factor produced by the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1, the activity of both fractions was neutralized. The above findings suggest that normal Mφ and EC secrete an identical or closely related inhibitor of IL-2 synthesis and IL-2 response, and that this inhibitor regulates these IL-2-related functions by a suppressive action on the T lymphocyte.

Lipoprotein lipase gene expression in THP-1 cells.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA levels are under the control of signals that activate phospholipase C, resulting in activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ in the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. Induction of LPL in THP-1 cells appears to be mediated by PKC since it was affected by both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and a diacylglycerol analogue. This induction was blocked by the specific PKC inhibitor H-7. Although Ca2+ mobilization by the ionophore A23187 also induced LPL mRNA, the mechanism is most likely independent of activation of the Ca2+/calmodulin protein kinase. Depletion of cells of PKC made them refractory to induction by A23187, suggesting that Ca2+ mobilization acts by activating PKC. Addition of cycloheximide (CHX) to undifferentiated THP-1 cells resulted in a transient increase in steady-state mRNA levels (3-fold). Sustained superinduction of LPL mRNA occurred when PMA and CHX were added simultaneously. These results suggest that the level of LPL mRNA is regulated either by a labile regulatory protein, which represses transcription of the LPL gene, or by a protein affecting mRNA stability.

Regulation of the low density lipoprotein receptor and hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase genes by protein kinase C and a putative negative regulatory protein.

Transcription of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase genes was rapidly and transiently induced (8.5- and 2.3-fold, respectively) early during phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced macrophage differentiation of the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. The levels of mRNA coding for LDL-R and HMG-CoA reductase increased soon after induction, reached a maximum (12- and 7-fold increase, respectively) in 2-3 hr, and then rapidly returned to the low constitutive levels observed before induction. The stability of LDL-R mRNA did not change significantly during differentiation, whereas that of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA decreased by about 5-fold 6 hr after the addition of PMA. Transcriptional induction of both LDL-R and HMG-CoA reductase genes (5.6- and 2-fold, respectively) was also observed when undifferentiated cells were treated with cycloheximide (CHX), resulting in a transient increase in steady-state mRNA (7- and 3-fold, respectively). These results suggest that expression of the two genes is maintained at low constitutive levels in uninduced THP-1 cells by a protein with a short half-life. Superinduction of both genes occurred when PMA and CHX were added simultaneously. The induction of LDL-R and HMG-CoA reductase mRNAs during early macrophage differentiation is mediated by protein kinase C. It is hypothesized that protein kinase C acts directly or indirectly to inactivate the labile negative regulatory protein. Induction of LDL-R mRNA was also observed when the human hepatocarcinoma cell line Hep G2 was treated with PMA and CHX, suggesting that this mechanism of regulation may exist in several cell types.

Post-transcriptional control of IL-1 gene expression in the acute monocytic leukemia line THP-1

The acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 secretes predominantly IL-1 beta after treatment with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and tumour promoting phorbol ester (PMA). IL-1 alpha is also secreted, but represents less than 10% of the total IL-1 activity. This differential is reflected at the level of mRNA as IL-1 beta mRNA is more abundant than IL-1 alpha mRNA. Studies of transcription in isolated nuclei however indicate that each gene is transcribed at a similar rate, suggesting that post-transcriptional mechanisms regulate the relative abundance of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA. Measurement of RNA half life after addition of alpha-amanitin (an inhibitor of RNA polymerase II) indicate that IL-1 alpha mRNA is not as stable as IL-1 beta mRNA suggesting one mechanism for the different relative levels of RNA.

Induction of phagocyte cytochrome b heavy chain gene expression by interferon gamma.

Phagocytic cells, such as macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, produce a "respiratory burst" in which oxygen is reduced to superoxide and other active oxygen species responsible for many of the microbicidal, tumoricidal, and inflammatory activities of these cells. Interferon gamma has been shown to augment phagocyte superoxide production, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect have remained unknown. Recently a key component of the oxidase, phagocyte cytochrome b, has been characterized as a heterodimer of a 91-kDa glycoprotein and a 22-kDa polypeptide. The present studies examined the effects of human recombinant interferon gamma on the expression of the genes for these components of the cytochrome b. In vitro treatment with interferon gamma substantially increases the level of phagocyte cytochrome b heavy chain gene transcripts in normal polymorphonuclear leukocytes, normal monocyte-derived macrophages, and the monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. Light chain gene transcripts are less affected. In monocyte-derived macrophages and THP-1 cells, the enhanced expression of the heavy chain gene appears in large part attributable to increased rates of transcription. Treatment of monocyte-derived macrophages with human recombinant interferon alpha (a down-regulator of the respiratory burst) decreased the heavy chain transcript levels; interferon beta produced no detectable change. These findings demonstrate the responsiveness of one essential component of the phagocyte oxidase system to activation by interferon gamma and provide a rationale for its use to augment phagocytic function in chronic granulomatous disease.

Variants of a Human Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line (THP-1): Induction of Differentiation by Retinoic Acid, Interferon-γ, and T-Lymphocyte-Derived Differentiation-Inducing Activity<xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1">2</xref>

Induction of terminal differentiation of two variant sublines derived from the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 by all-trans-beta-retinoic acid (RA) was studied. One of the variants was approximately 10 times more resistant to RA and the other, approximately 10 times more sensitive than the parent THP-1. Differentiation of the RA-resistant variant could be induced by immune interferon (IFN-gamma) and a T-lymphocyte-derived lymphokine of a differentiation-inducing activity (DIA), alone or in combination with 10 nM RA. These induced cells showed many of functional monocyte and/or macrophage characteristics, such as superoxide anion production, phagocytosis, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. RA suppressed the expression of Fc receptors, phagocytosis, and 5'-nucleotidase activity of the resistant cells, although not the expression of the sensitive variant. These results indicate that RA-resistant cells can be fully induced to differentiate by the combination of RA and IFN-gamma or DIA.

A macrophage-derived factor that inhibits the production and action of interleukin 2.

The human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 produces an immunosuppressive factor that inhibits interleukin 1 (IL-1)-dependent proliferation of mouse thymocytes as well as the mitogenic effects of concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The mechanism of action of this factor includes interference with both the production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and its effects on target cells. Thus, the suppressor abrogates the proliferation of an IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T cell line (CTLL), but not of IL-2 independent cells like the L929 fibroblasts or the EL4 T lymphoma and U937 histiocytic lymphoma lines. It also suppresses IL-2 production by human peripheral blood enriched T cells and mouse splenocytes. The mediator has a molecular weight of 60,000-70,000 dalton, as determined by gel filtration chromatography, is heat labile, and is sensitive to trypsin, chymotrypsin, and protease.