Promyelocytic Leukemia Cell Line Research Articles

Cytotoxicity of cashew flavonoids towards malignant cell lines

The leaves of the Cashew plant (Anacardium occidentale L.) are used by the folk medicine in South America and West Africa. This plant is rich in flavonoids, which are polyphenolic compounds widespread in plants, and that have diverse physiological effects. In a sub-acute toxicity assay it was found that an ethanolic extract of Cashew leaves elicited lymphopenia in rats. The extract was also found to be cytotoxic and to induce apoptosis in Jurkat (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) cells. The crude ethanolic extract was fractionated and resolved by HPLC. One of the four fractions obtained led to the isolation of the biflavonoid agasthisflavone. [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation assays and flow cytometry analysis showed that the isolated compound displayed a high anti-proliferative effect in Jurkat cells with an IC(50) of 2.4 μg/ml (4.45 μM). The effect of agathisflavone on the acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL60, Burkitt lymphoma Raji cells and Hep-2 laryngeal carcinoma cells was also tested. The two latter ones were only mildly affected by agathisflavone. It is also shown that agathisflavone induces apoptosis in Jurkat cells and it this proposed that this is the likely mechanism of agathisflavone specific cytotoxicity.

Impact of Protein Phosphatase PP2A on ATRA-Induced Activation of FoxO3a In Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells

AbstractAbstract 2492Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia caused by reciprocal translocations of the long arms of chromosomes 15 and 17, which prevent cellular differentiation into mature neutrophils. The translocation of the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene on chromosome 15 and a retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) gene on chromosome 17 generates a PML-RARα fusion protein that inhibits PML-dependent apoptotic pathways in a dominant negative fashion. This fusion protein also blocks granulocytic differentiation by direct transcriptional inhibition of retinoic acid target genes. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) arrests cell growth, granulocytic differentiation, and apoptosis in APL cells via proteasome-dependent degradation of PML-RARα fusion protein and subsequent PML-nuclear body (NB) formation. Although PML is the essential component of PML-NBs and functions as a tumor suppressor, disruption of PML-NBs by the PML-RARα fusion protein inhibits endogenous PML tumor-suppressive functions in APL cells. Therefore, degradation of PML-RARα fusion protein and reorganization of PML-NBs during ATRA treatment are regarded as critical cellular responses, similar to the cell growth arrest and apoptosis of leukemia cells. Recently we demonstrated that FoxO3a (also named FKHRL1), a member of the Forkhead family of transcription factors, is a key molecule for the ATRA-induced cellular responses in APL cells (Blood 2010; 115: 3787–3795). In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which FoxO3a is activated by ATRA treatment in a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4. Okadaic acid, a potent PP2A inhibitor, cancelled ATRA-induced dephosphorylation of AKT and its downstream molecule FoxO3a in NB4 cells. Knockdown of endogenous PP2A by siRNA significantly enhanced phosphorylation of both AKT and FoxO3a. These results suggested that PP2A is involved in ATRA-induced dephosphorylation of AKT and FoxO3a. Concomitantly, PP2AC, a catalytic subunit of PP2A, was dephoshorylated at tyrosine 307, and phosphatase activity of PP2A increased after ATRA treatment. Co-immunoprecipitation assay revealed that PP2A constitutively and directly binds to FoxO3a. Using artificial oligopeptides, we demonstrated that enhanced PP2A activity by ATRA directly dephosphorylates phosphothreonine 32 on FoxO3a. In addition, we found that 14-3-3 epsilon binded to phosphorylated FoxO3a in the cytoplasm in the absence of ATRA. After ATRA treatment, however, dephosphorylated FoxO3a dissociated from 14-3-3 epsilon and moved into the nucleus. Confocal microscopic analysis revealed that PP2A-FoxO3a complex partially co-localized with PML-NBs in the nucleus after ATRA treatment. Together, PML orchestrates nuclear networking with PP2A and FoxO3a for ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation and apoptosis of APL cells. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

RNA interference against CFTR affects HL60-derived neutrophil microbicidal function

Biosynthesis of hypochlorous acid, a potent antimicrobial oxidant, in phagosomes is one of the chief mechanisms employed by polymorphonuclear neutrophils to combat infections. This reaction, catalyzed by myeloperoxidase, requires chloride anion (Cl −) as a substrate. Thus, Cl − availability is a rate-limiting factor that affects neutrophil microbicidal function. Our previous research demonstrated that defective CFTR, a cAMP-activated chloride channel, present in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients leads to deficient chloride transport to neutrophil phagosomes and impaired bacterial killing. To confirm this finding, here we used RNA interference against this chloride channel to abate CFTR expression in the neutrophil-like cells derived from HL60 cells, a promyelocytic leukemia cell line, with dimethyl sulfoxide. The resultant CFTR deficiency in the phagocytes compromised their bactericidal capability, thereby recapitulating the phenotype seen in CF patient cells. The results provide further evidence suggesting that CFTR plays an important role in phagocytic host defense.

Oxidative stress enhances granulocytic differentiation in HL 60 cells, an acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line

This paper studied the effects of physiologically available oxidants on HL 60 differentiation induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Hydrogen peroxide (15 μM) and taurine chloramine (200 μM) induced HL 60 differentiation, which was detected by CD11b expression and superoxide production. Cd11b and p67phox mRNA expression was also augmented by these oxidants. In contrast, reducing chemicals, such as dithiothreitol, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol and N-acetylcysteine inhibited CD11b expression. Notably, DMSO inhibited methionine sulfoxide reductase activity, induced heme oxygenase-1 (ho-1) mRNA and enhanced oxidant-induced cell death, which indicated that DMSO intensified oxidative stress. After the addition of oxidants, ho-1 expression preceded the cd11b expression. Vicinal dithiol-reactive phenylarsine oxide (50 nM) also increased CD11b expression induced by DMSO or ATRA. These observations suggested that oxidative stress enhanced granulocytic differentiation of HL 60 cells and that leukaemic cell differentiation was affected by cellular redox status.

Four new phenanthrenes from Monomeria barbata Lindl

Three biphenanthrene compounds ( 1– 3) and a triphenanthrene compound ( 4), together with six known biphenanthrene compounds ( 5– 10), were isolated from the tubers of Monomeria barbata Lindl. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS). These four new compounds were tested in vitro for the cytotoxic activity against liver carcinoma (HepG-2), promyelocytic leukaemia (HL60), ovarian carcinoma (Skov-3) and epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cancer cell lines and the antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging. Compounds 1– 4 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and HL60 cell lines, and potent antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging.

Targeting Smad4 links microRNA-146a to the TGF-β pathway during retinoid acid induction in acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line

The expression pattern of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their potential target genes were investigated in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line NB4 cells during all-trans-retinoid acid (ATRA) treatment by using a miRNA microarrays platform and real-time quantitative PCR (RTQ-PCR). MiR-146a as one of the miRNAs down-regulated by ATRA during APL differentiation was identified. Direct interaction between miR146a and its predictive target gene Smad4 were confirmed by Luciferase assay. Down-regulation of miR-146a and upregulation of Smad4 at protein levels were demonstrated. These data suggested that miR-146a might influence proliferation of APL cells through TGF-beta1/Smad signal transduction pathway during ATRA induction.

Synthesis of novel 3,5-diaryl pyrazole derivatives using combinatorial chemistry as inhibitors of tyrosinase as well as potent anticancer, anti-inflammatory agents

In the present article, we have synthesized a combinatorial library of 3,5-diaryl pyrazole derivatives using 8-(2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one (1) and hydrazine hydrate in absolute ethyl alcohol under the refluxed conditions. The structures of the compounds were established by IR, (1)H NMR and mass spectral analysis. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity against five cell lines (breast cancer cell line, prostate cancer cell line, promyelocytic leukemia cell line, lung cancer cell line, colon cancer cell line) and anti-inflammatory activity against TNF-alpha and IL-6. Out of 15 compounds screened, 2a and 2d exhibited promising anticancer activity (61-73% at 10 microM concentration) against all selected cell lines and IL-6 inhibition (47% and 42% at 10 microM concentration) as in comparison to standard flavopiridol (72-87% inhibition at 0.5 microM) and dexamethasone (85% inhibition at 1 microM concentration), respectively. Cytotoxicity of the compounds checked using CCK-8 cell lines and found to be nontoxic to slightly toxic. Out of 15, four 3,5-diaryl pyrazole derivatives exhibiting potent inhibitory activities against both the monophenolase and diphenolase actions of tyrosinase. The IC(50) values of compounds (2a, 2d, 2h and 2l) for monophenolase inhibition were determined to range between 1.5 and 30 microM. Compounds 2a, 2d, 2h and 2l also inhibited diphenolase significantly with IC(50) values of 29.4, 21.5, 2.84 and 19.6 microM, respectively. All four 3,5-diaryl pyrazole derivatives were active as tyrosinase inhibitors (2a, 2d, 2h and 2l), and belonging to competitive inhibitors. Interestingly, they all manifested simple reversible slow-binding inhibition against diphenolase.

Synthesis and Bioactivity of N-Benzoyl-N'-[5-(2'-substituted phenyl)-2-furoyl] Semicarbazide Derivatives

In order to find novel chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs) with good activity, benzoylphenylurea, a typical kind of CSIs, was chosen as the lead compound and 15 novel derivatives containing furan moieties were designed by converting the urea linkage of benzoylphenylureas into a semicarbazide and changing the aniline part into furoyl groups. The title compounds were synthesized by the reaction of substituted benzoyl isocyanates with 5-(substituted phenyl)-2-furoyl hydrazine, and the structures were confirmed by IR, 1H-NMR, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses (compound E2). The bioassay results indicated that the title compounds exhibit good insecticidal activity, especially towards Plutella xylostella L., but had lower fungicidal activity. Inspiringly, the title compounds possessed obvious anticancer activity against human promyelocytic leukemic cell line (HL-60), and some of the title compounds also had activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Bel-7402), human gastric carcinoma cell line (BGC-823), and human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line (KB). The results indicated that the linkage in the lead compounds was important to the bioactivity and spectra. The modification on the urea linkage is an effective strategy to discover new pesticide and drug candidates.

Gossypol exerts its cytotoxic effect on HL-60 leukemic cell line via decreasing activity of protein phosphatase 2A and interacting with human telomerase reverse transcriptase activity

In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential relationship between gossypol-induced cytotoxicity of human promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60) leukemic cells and intracellular serine/threonine protein phosphatase (PP) dynamics and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) activity. Gossypol was found to be cytotoxic in HL-60 cells with the IC50 dose of 4·5 μM. The combination of gossypol and okadaic acid in IC50 doses revealed the increased cytotoxicity in a time-dependent manner. Treatment of cells with gossypol has shown significant decrease in PP2A activity. The expression of the PP2A catalytic subunit was downregulated in gossypol-treated cells with 24 hours' intervals. hTERT mRNA levels were gradually decreased. In conclusion, during gossypol-induced cytotoxicity, intracellular activity and expression of PP2A was decreased as well as the activity of hTERT. The variation of hTERT activity in gossypol-treated HL-60 cells may be the potential reason for the phosphatase interaction during the gossypol treatment of leukemic cells resulting in cellular cytotoxicity.

Phosphatidylglucoside Forms Specific Lipid Domains on the Outer Leaflet of the Plasma Membrane

Phosphatidylglucoside (PtdGlc) is a recently discovered unique glycophospholipid involved in granulocytic differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL60 and in astrocytic differentiation in developing rodent brains. Using a PtdGlc-specific monoclonal antibody in immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, we showed that PtdGlc forms distinct lipid domains on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane of HL60 cells and the human alveolar epithelial cell line, A549. Similar to glycosphingolipid, glucosylceramide (GlcCer), the natural form of PtdGlc exhibited a high main phase transition temperature in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). However, unlike GlcCer, PtdGlc did not exhibit a large difference in the main phase transition temperature between the heating and cooling scans. DSC further indicated that GlcCer, but not PtdGlc, was miscible with sphingomyelin. In addition, DSC and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments revealed that PtdGlc was poorly miscible with phosphatidylcholine. Our results suggest that the lack of tight intermolecular interaction excludes PtdGlc from other lipid domains on the plasma membrane.

Design, synthesis and anticancer activity of piperazine hydroxamates and their histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory activity

Six compounds were synthesized with piperazine in linker region and hydroxamate as Zinc Binding Group (ZBG). They were screened against three cancer cell-lines (NCIH460; HCT116; U251). Compounds 5c and 5f with GI 50 value of 9.33 ± 1.3 μM and 12.03 ± 4 μM, respectively, were tested for their inhibitory potential on hHDAC8. Compound 5c had IC 50 of 33.67 μM. Compounds were also screened for their anticancer activity against HL60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell line due to the presence of pharmacophoric features of RR inhibitors in them. Compound 5c had IC 50 of 0.6 μM at 48 h.

Transcriptional silencing of the ETS1 oncogene contributes to human granulocytic differentiation

Ets-1 is a widely expressed transcription factor implicated in several biological processes including hematopoiesis, where it contributes to the regulation of cellular differentiation. The functions of Ets-1 are regulated by transcription factors as well as by phosphorylation events: phosphorylation of threonine 38 activates Ets-1, whereas phosphorylation of a cluster of serines within exon VII reduces DNA binding activity. This study focuses on the role of Ets-1 during granulocytic differentiation of NB4 promyelocytic and HL60 myeloblastic leukemia cell lines induced by all-trans retinoic acid. Ets-1 expression was measured by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The role of Ets-1 during all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation was analyzed by using a transdominant negative molecule or small interfering RNA. NB4 and HL60 cell lines expressed high levels of p51 Ets-1, while the splice variant isoform that lacks exon VII (p42) was almost undetectable. The addition of all-trans retinoic acid reduced p51 Ets-1 levels and induced inhibitory phosphorylation of the remaining protein. Expression of Ets-1 was also reduced during dimethylsulfoxide-induced differentiation and during granulocytic differentiation of human CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells but not in NB4.R2 and HL60R cells resistant to all-trans retinoic acid. In line with these observations, transduction of a transdominant negative molecule of Ets-1, which inhibited DNA binding and transcriptional activity of the wild-type Ets-1, significantly increased chemical-induced differentiation. Consistently, Ets-1 knockdown by small interfering RNA increased the number of mature neutrophils upon addition of all-trans retinoic acid. Interestingly, p51 Ets-1 over-expression was frequently observed in CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells derived from patients with acute myeloid leukemia, as compared to its expression in normal CD34(+) cells. Our results indicated that a decreased expression of Ets-1 protein generalizes to granulocytic differentiation and may represent a crucial event for granulocytic maturation.

Abstract 5493: A new strategy to assess cytotoxicity using Raman spectroscopy of single isolated nuclei

Abstract Single-cell biodetection systems have potential applications in biomedicine and pharmacotherapy, and Raman spectroscopy is an ideal tool for single-cell analysis. Raman spectroscopy biosensors can provide an information-rich “fingerprint” of the overall biochemical composition of single cell undergoing time-dependent changes of cellular biochemistry without reacting with many biologically active compounds. To minimize the interfering signals form cytoplasm, nuclei were isolated from cells for analysis by Raman spectrum to compare the cellar responses and biochemical changes that occur in the nuclei of the HL60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line and drug-resistant cells HL60/ADR after treatment with the antineoplastic drug, doxorubicin. With increasing concentrations of doxorubicin up to 80 nM, the intensities of individual peaks representing nucleic acids and proteins displayed a concentration dependent decrease in the nuclei of HL60 but not HL60/ADR. At 80 nM doxorubicin, there was a 55.6±2.2% (p<0.001) of control in the intensities of Raman peaks representing nuclei acid, but no change of Raman peak intensities of the nuclei of HL60/ADR (96.4±3.1% of control). A significant drop in the intensities of Raman peaks representing nucleic acid was evident around 8 to 10 hours after doxorubicin exposure. Upon incubation with 80nM doxorubicin for 24 hours, thymidine incorporation was 74.2±1.9% and 94±3.8% of control in HL60 and HL60/ADR, respectively and Alamar Blue assay was even less sensitive with the value of 102.0±1.8% and 101.7±2.5% of control in HL60 and HL60/ADR, respectively. To verify the sensitivity and reproducibility of single nuclei Raman spectroscopy, treatment of CCRF-CEM, a T lymphoblastoid cell line, and drug-resistant subline CEM/VBL with anti-microtubule agent, vinblastine was also examined. At 0.4 nM, the intensities of Raman spectrum for nucleic acid dropped to 77.2±1.5% (p<0.001) of control while thymidine incorporation was not significantly inhibited (94.8±4.1% of control). In comparison, CEM/VBL was resistant to vinblastine up to 50 nM with negligible changes in Raman peak intensities of CEM/VBL nuclei (96.8±2.7% of control), and thymidine incorporation was 102.5±1.2% of control. These findings demonstrate that this single nuclei Raman spectroscopy has the ability to detect and identify nuclear changes related to cytotoxicity at lower concentrations and in shorter times than conventional cell based assays. Thus, this new cytotoxicity detection strategy using Raman spectroscopy of single, isolated nuclei may be useful for rapid and sensitive detection of cellular changes in response to chemotherapeutic agents. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5493.

Abstract 1236: Interferon consensus sequence binding protein (ICSBP)-induced cell proliferation mediated by TGF-β signaling pathway and MAPKs activation in HL-60 cells

Abstract Interferon consensus sequence binding protein (ICSBP), also known as IRF-8, is a member of the interferon (IFN)- regulatory factors (IRFs) induced by IFN-γ. ICSBP is mostly associated with differentiation of hematopoietic cells and known as a tumor suppressor. ICSBP contains the conserved transactivation domain which is shared by Smad4, suggesting a possible connection of IRF and TGF-β signaling. To test this connection, ICSBP was stably expressed in acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL-60, that expresses little ICSBP. Although TGF-β receptor expression was undetectable in HL-60 cells, the expression of ICSBP in HL-60 (ICSBP-HL-60) resulted in an increased TGF-β receptor expression. Interestingly, even without TGF-β stimulation, both Smad and non-Smad pathways were activated in ICSBP-HL-60 cells compared with Mock-HL-60 cells, indicating ligand-independent activation of TGF-β receptor signaling. In addition, ICSBP expression augmented cell growth and suppression of ICSBP using siRNA specific for ICSBP abolished TGF-β receptor expression and attenuated cell growth. Consistently, reduction of TGF-βRI using siRNA or TGF-β receptor inhibitor, SB431542, also attenuated growth of ICSBP-HL-60 cells compared with Mock cells. Furthermore, MAPK pathways appeared to be involved in ICSBP-mediated cell growth because MAPKs are activated in ICSBP-HL-60 cells and specific inhibitor of this pathway was able to decrease the growth of ICSBP-HL-60 cells more sensitively than Mock-HL-60 cells. Suppression of ICSBP by siRNA effectively inhibited phosphorylation of MAPKs. All these data suggest that ICSBP up-regulates TGF-β receptor, activates ligand-independent TGF-β mediated signaling pathways, such as MAPKs activation, leading to cell proliferation. This study provides a new function of ICSBP in the regulation of cell proliferation Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1236.

Abstract 5477: Gefitinib enhances arsenic trioxide (AS2O3)-induced differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line

Abstract Gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839), a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits growth, invasion and colony formation of various cancer cells. However, little is known about the effect of combination of gefitinib and arsenic trioxide (ATO) on differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Therefore, we investigated whether gefitinib had any role in the ATO-induced differentiation of NB4 cells (APL cell line). Gefitinib induced the expression of differentiation markers including CD11b and CD14 in ATO-treated NB4 cells and facilitated ATO-induced morphologic changes and ROS generation. The results were evident that the combination of gefitinib and ATO could induce more effectively functional differentiation of leukemic cells to macrophage-like cells. Moreover, the extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was necessary for the enhancement of gefitinib in ATO-induced differentiation, measured by CD11b and CD14 expression on NB4 cells. Therefore, our data indicated that gefitinib can play a potential role as an adjunctive differentiation agent in APL. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5477.

Dammarane-type saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Dammarane-type saponins, gypenosides VN1–VN7 ( 1– 7), were isolated from the total saponin extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum aerial parts, with their structures elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. These compounds showed moderate cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines, A549 (lung), HT-29 (colon), MCF-7 (breast), and SK-OV-3 (ovary), with IC 50 values ranging from 19.6 ± 1.1 to 43.1 ± 1.0 μM. Regarding the HL-60 (acute promyelocytic leukemia) cell line, compounds 1, 5, and 6 showed weakly active with IC 50 values of 62.8 ± 1.9, 72.6 ± 3.6, and 82.4 ± 3.2 nM, respectively, while 2, 3, 4, and 7 were less active with IC 50 values >100 μM.

Cranberry polyphenols down‐regulate the toll‐like receptor 4 pathway and NF‐κB activation, while still enhancing tumor necrosis factor α secretion

Polyphenols (PP) from plants have been shown to have anti‐inflammatory properties. To study the anti‐inflammatory nature of PP from cranberry, three cranberry fractions (CF) were incubated with HL60 cells, a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line. One CF contained proanthocyanidins (PAC) from cranberry presscake, one was rich in PAC from cranberry juice and the other contained PP, including PAC, from the juice. Differentiated HL60 cells were cultured with each CF and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Phosphorylated IκBα and IRAK4 protein levels were lower in cells incubated with the CF compared to a LPS control, while total IκBα was increased by the CF compared to the LPS control. TNFα secretion from cells incubated with CF was higher than the LPS control. Cranberry PP seem to protect neutrophils from LPS activation via the Toll‐like receptor 4 signaling pathway that uses IRAK4 as an intermediate signaling protein. IκBα is not phosphorylated and degraded, and, thus, does not release NF‐κB. However, TNFα expression is still upregulated in fraction‐treated cells, so its production and secretion is stimulated by these fractions via an alternate pathway. Funded by Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. and FAES.

Effects of highly ripened cheeses on HL-60 human leukemia cells: Antiproliferative activity and induction of apoptotic DNA damage

To establish cheese as a dairy product with health benefits, we examined the multifunctional role of cheeses. In this report, we clarify whether different types of commercial cheeses may possess antiproliferative activity using HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines as a cancer model. Among 12 cheese extracts tested, 6 (Montagnard, Pont-l’Eveque, Brie, Camembert, Danablue, and Blue) revealed strong growth inhibition activity and induction of DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells. Based on the quantification of nitrogen contents in different cheese samples, a positive correlation between the ripeness of various cheeses and their antiproliferative activity tested in HL-60 cells was displayed. Four varieties of Blue cheese ripened for 0, 1, 2, or 3 mo demonstrated that the Blue cheese ripened for a long term was capable of causing the strong suppression of the cell growth and the induction of apoptotic DNA damage as well as nucleic morphological change in HL-60 cells. Collectively, these results obtained suggest a potential role of highly ripened cheeses in the prevention of leukemic cell proliferation.

Gene expression profiles of human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines exposed to volatile organic compounds

Benzene, toluene, o-xylene, ethylbenzene, trichloroethylene and dichloromethane are the most widely used volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and their toxic mechanisms are still undefined. This study analyzed the genome-wide expression profiles of human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells exposed to VOCs using a 35-K whole human genome oligonucleotide microarray to ascertain potential biomarkers. Genes with a significantly increased expression levels (over 1.5-fold and p-values <0.05) with six VOCs were then classified with gene ontology and KEGG pathway annotation. At IC 20 doses identified genes were functionally categorized as being involved in cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions and the toll-like receptor signaling pathway, whereas exposure at IC 50 doses identified genes associated with the p53 signaling pathway, apoptosis, and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathway. Functionally important immune response- and apoptosis-related genes were further validated by real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that IFIT1, IFIT2, IFIT3, USP18, INFGR2, PMAIP1, GADD45A, NFKBIA, TNFAIP3, and BIRC3 genes altered their expression profiles in a dose-dependent manner. Similar expressions profiles were also found in human erythromyeloblastoid leukemia K562 cells and in human leukemic monocyte lymphoma U937 cells. In conclusion, both gene expression profiles and gene ontology analysis have elucidated potential gene-based biomarkers and provided insights into the mechanism underlying the response of human leukemia cell lines to VOC exposure.

Sanguinarine as a Potent and Specific Inhibitor of Protein Phosphatase 2Cin Vitroand Induces ApoptosisviaPhosphorylation of p38 in HL60 Cells

Sanguinarine, a plant alkaloid, was identified as a potent and specific protein phosphatase (PP) 2C inhibitor. It inhibited PP2C competitively with respect to alpha-casein (Ki=0.68 microM) and showed selectivity for PP2C as compared with PP1, PP2A, and PP2B in vitro. In vivo, sanguinarine showed cytotoxicity toward human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL60, with an IC(50) value of 0.37 microM, and induced apoptosis through a caspase-3/7-dependent mechanism involving the phosphorylation of p38, a PP2Calpha substrate. The apoptosis activity induced by sanguinarine was partially inhibited by a p38 inhibitor, SB203580, and was involved in the phospho-p38 protein in HL60 cells.