Comparative Proteomic Assessment of Normal vs. Polyhydramnios Amniotic Fluid Based on Computational Analysis.

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics have become a valued tool for conducting comprehensive analyses in amniotic fluid samples with pathologies. Our research interest is the finding and characterization of proteins related to normal vs. polyhydramnios (non-immune hydrops) pregnancy. Proteomic analysis was performed on proteins isolated from fresh amniotic fluid samples. Proteins were fractionated by 2DE using a different pI range (pI 3-11, pI 4-7) and analyzed with MALDI-TOF-MS. Furthermore, by using computational analysis, identified proteins in protein maps specific to normal vs. polyhydramnios pregnancy were compared and the quantities of expressed proteins were evaluated mathematically. Comparative analysis of proteome characteristic for the same polyhydramnios pregnancy fractionated by 2DE in different pI range (3-11 and 4-7) was performed and particular protein groups were evaluated for the quantification of changes within the same protein level. Proteins of normal and polyhydramnios pregnancies were fractionated by 2DE in pI range 3-11 and in pI range 4-7. Mass spectrometry analysis of proteins has revealed that the quantity changes of the main identified proteins in normal vs. polyhydramnios pregnancy could be assigned to immune response and inflammation proteins, cellular signaling and regulation proteins, metabolic proteins, etc. Specifically, we have identified and characterized proteins associated with heart function and circulatory system and proteins associated with abnormalities in prenatal medicine. The following are: serotransferrin, prothrombin, haptoglobin, transthyretin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, zinc-alpha-2-glycprotein, haptoglobin kininogen-1, hemopexin, clusterin, lumican, afamin, gelsolin. By using computational analysis, we demonstrated that some of these proteins increased a few times in pathological pregnancy. Computer assistance analysis of 2DE images suggested that, for the better isolation of the proteins' isoforms, those levels increased/decreased in normal vs. polyhydramnios pregnancy, and the fractionation of proteins in pI rage 3-11 and 4-7 could be substantial. We analyzed and identified by MS proteins specific for normal and polyhydramnios pregnancies. Identified protein levels increased and/or modification changed in case of non-immune hydrops fetus and in cases of cardiovascular, anemia, growth restriction, and metabolic disorders. Computational analysis for proteomic characterization empower to estimate the quantitative changes of proteins specific for normal vs. polyhydramnios pregnancies.

Epigenetic regulation of amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cell differentiation to the mesodermal lineages at normal and fetus-diseased gestation.

Human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid (AF-MSCs) demonstrate the potency for self-renewal and multidifferentiation, and can, therefore, be a potential alternative source of stem cells adapted for therapeutic purposes. The object of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of MSCs from AF when the pregnancy is normal or when the fetus is affected during pregnancy to differentiate into mesodermal lineage tissues and to elucidate epigenetic states responsible for terminal adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. The morphology of AF-MSCs from two cell sources and the expression of the cell surface-specific (CD44, CD90, and CD105) markers and pluripotency (Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Rex1) genes were quite similar and underwent mesodermal lineage differentiation because this is shown by the typical cell morphology and of genes' expression specific for adipogenic (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-É£, adiponectin) and osteoblastic (alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) differentiation. Terminal lineage-specific differentiation was related to differential expression of miR-17, miR-21, miR-34a, and miR-146a, decreased levels of acetylated H4 and H3K9, trimethylated H3K4 and H3K9, and the retention of H3K27me3 along with a reduction in the levels of HDAC1, DNMT1, and PRC1/2 proteins (BMI1/SUZ12). No significant distinction could be identified in the levels of expression of all epigenetic or pluripotency markers between undifferentiated MSCs isolated from AF of normal gestation and pregnancy where the fetus was damaged and between those differentiated toward adipocytes or osteoblasts. The expressional changes of those marks and microRNAs that occurred during terminal differentiation to mesodermal tissues indicate subtle epigenetic regulation in AF-MSCs when the condition of the fetus is healthy normal or diseased. More detailed studies of epigenetic mechanisms may offer a better understanding of AF-MSCs differentiation in fetus-diseased conditions and their usage in an autologous therapeutic application and prenatal disease research.

Epigenetic alterations in amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells derived from normal and fetus-affected gestations: A focus on myogenic and neural differentiations.

Amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs) are autologous to the fetus and represent a potential alternative source for the regenerative medicine and treatment of perinatal disorders. To date, AF-MSCs differentiation capacity to non-mesodermal lineages and epigenetic regulation are still poorly characterized. The present study investigated the differentiation potential of AF-MSCs toward neural-like cells in comparison to the mesodermal myogenic lineage and assessed epigenetic factors involved in tissue-specific differentiation. Myogenic and neural differentiation assays were performed by the incubation with specific induction media. Typical MSCs markers were determined by flow cytometry, the expression of lineage-specific genes, microRNAs and chromatin modifying proteins were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. AF-MSCs of normal and fetus-affected gestations had similar stem cells characteristics and two-lineage potential, as characterized by cell morphology and the expression of myogenic and neural markers. Two-lineage differentiation process was associated with the down-regulation of miR-17 and miR-21, the up-regulation of miR-34a, miR-146a and DNMT3a/DNMT3b along with the gradual decrease in the levels of DNMT1, HDAC1, active marks of chromatin (H4hyperAc, H3K9ac, H3K4me3) and the repressive H3K9me3 mark. Differentiation was accompanied by the down-regulation of PRC1/2 proteins (BMI1/SUZ12, EZH2) and the retention of the repressive H3K27me3 mark. We report that both AF-MSCs of normal and fetus-affected gestations possess differentiation capacity toward myogenic and neural lineages through rather similar epigenetic mechanisms that may provide potential applications for further investigation of the molecular basis of prenatal diseases and for the future autologous therapy.

Histone Modifications Pattern Associated With a State of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cultures Derived From Amniotic Fluid of Normal and Fetus-Affected Gestations.

Human amniotic fluid (AF)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) sharing embryonic and adult stem cells characteristics are interesting by their multipotency and the usage for regenerative medicine. However, the usefulness of these cells for revealing the fetal diseases still needs to be assessed. Here, we have analyzed the epigenetic environment in terms of histone modifications in cultures of MSCs derived from AF of normal pregnancies and those with fetal abnormalities. The comparison of MSCs samples from AF of normal pregnancies (N) and fetus-affected (P) revealed two distinct cultures by their proliferation potential (P I and P II). Cell populations from N and P I samples had similar growth characteristics and exhibited quite similar cell surface (CD44, CD90, CD105) and stemness markers (Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, Rex1) profile that was distinct in slower growing and faster senescent P II cultures. Those differences were associated with changes in 5-Cyt DNA methylation and alterations in the expression levels of chromatin modifiers (DNMT1, HDAC1/2), activating (H4ac, H3K4me3), and repressive (H3K9me2/me3, H3K27me3) histone marks. MSCs isolated from AF with the genetic or multifactorial fetal diseases (P II samples) were enriched with repressive histone marks and H4K16ac, H3K9ac, H3K14ac modifications. This study indicates that differential epigenetic environment reflects a state of AF-MSCs dependently on their growth, phenotype, and stemness characteristics suggesting a way for better understanding of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in AF-MSCs cultures in normal and diseased gestation conditions. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3744-3755, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Senescence-Associated Molecular and Epigenetic Alterations in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cultures from Amniotic Fluid of Normal and Fetus-Affected Pregnancy.

Human amniotic-fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs) are interesting for their multilineage differentiation potential and wide range of therapeutic applications due to the ease of culture expansion. However, MSCs undergo replicative senescence. So far, the molecular mechanisms that underlie fetal diseases and cell senescence are still poorly understood. Here, we analyzed senescence-associated morphologic, molecular, and epigenetic characteristics during propagation of MSCs derived from AF of normal and fetus-affected pregnancy. AF-MSCs cultures from both cell sources displayed quite similar morphology and expression of specific cell surface (CD44, CD90, and CD105) and stemness (Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Rex1) markers but had interindividual variability in proliferation capability and time to reach senescence. Within passages 4 and 8, senescent cultures exhibited typical morphological features, senescence-associated ß-galactosidase activity, increased levels of p16, and decreased levels of miR-17 and miR-21 but showed differential expression of p21, p53, and ATM dependently on the onset of cell senescence. These differences correlated with changes in the level of chromatin modifiers (DNMT1 and HDAC1) and polycomb group proteins (EZH2, SUZ12, and BMI1) paralleling with changes in the expression of repressive histone marks (H3K9me3 and H3K27me3) and stemness markers (Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Rex1). Therefore epigenetic factors are important for AF-MSCs senescence process that may be related with individuality of donor or a fetus malignancy status.

Fatty acid profiles of monofloral clover beebread and pollen and proteomics of red clover (Trifolium pratense) pollen.

Fatty acids were identified in monofloral beebread (BB) and bee pollen (BP) loads collected from Trifolium pratense L. A gas chromatography method was used to identify and quantify fatty acids: Thirty-five fatty acids were identified in BB and 42 in BP. A high amount of the healthy n-3 fatty acids was found. The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 to n-6 reached a value of 8.42 and 3.35 in the latter products. The proteomic analysis also was performed on the manually collected T. pratense pollen, and the most abundant protein groups were subjected to mass spectrometry analysis. Proteins identified in T. pratense pollen are involved in the main cellular functions (cell membrane formation, organelles traffic, and mainly metabolic processes). Because of the composition of fatty acids in BB and BP and a variety of proteins present in pollen, these products are considered to be favorable for human nutrition and health.

Histone modifications patterns in tissues and tumours from acute promyelocytic leukemia xenograft model in response to combined epigenetic therapy.

Xenograft models are suitable for in vivo study of leukemia's pathogenesis and the preclinical development of anti-leukemia agents but understanding of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms linking to adult cell functions in pathological conditions during different in vivo treatments is yet unknown. In this study, for the first time epigenetic chromatin modifications were characterized in tissues and tumours from murine xenograft model generated using the human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) NB4 cells engrafted in immunodeficient NOG mice. Xenografts were subjected to combined epigenetic treatment by histone deacetylase inhibitor Belinostat, histone methyltransferase inhibitor 3-DZNeaplanocin A and all-trans-retinoic acid based on in vitro model, where such combination inhibited NB4 cell growth and enhanced retinoic acid-induced differentiation to granulocytes. Xenotransplantation was assessed by peripheral blood cells counts, the analysis of cell surface markers (CD15, CD33, CD45) and the expression of certain genes (PML-RAR alpha, CSF3, G-CSFR, WT1). The combined treatment prolonged APL xenograft mice survival and prevented tumour formation. The analysis of the expression of histone marks such as acetylation of H4, trimethylation of H3K4, H3K9 and H3K27 in APL xenograft mice tumours and tissues demonstrated tissue-specific changes in the level of histone modifications and the APL prognostic mark, WT1 protein. In summary, the effects of epigenetic agents used in this study were positive for leukemia prevention and linked to a modulation of the chromatin epigenetic environment in adult tissues of malignant organism.

Human Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Second- and Third-Trimester Amniocentesis: Differentiation Potential, Molecular Signature, and Proteome Analysis.

Human amniotic fluid stem cells have become an attractive stem cell source for potential applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to characterize amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs) from second- and third-trimester of gestation. Using two-stage protocol, MSCs were successfully cultured and exhibited typical stem cell morphological, specific cell surface, and pluripotency markers characteristics. AF-MSCs differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes, myocytes, and neuronal cells, as determined by morphological changes, cell staining, and RT-qPCR showing the tissue-specific gene presence for differentiated cell lineages. Using SYNAPT G2 High Definition Mass Spectrometry technique approach, we performed for the first time the comparative proteomic analysis between undifferentiated AF-MSCs from late trimester of gestation and differentiated into myogenic, adipogenic, osteogenic, and neurogenic lineages. The analysis of the functional and expression patterns of 250 high abundance proteins selected from more than 1400 demonstrated the similar proteome of cultured and differentiated AF-MSCs but the unique changes in their expression profile during cell differentiation that may help the identification of key markers in differentiated cells. Our results provide evidence that human amniotic fluid of second- and third-trimester contains stem cells with multilineage potential and may be attractive source for clinical applications.

Euchromatic histone methyltransferase 2 inhibitor, BIX-01294, sensitizes human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and NB4 cells to growth inhibition and differentiation.

The involvement of histone lysine methyltransferases (HMT) in carcinogenesis is not well understood. Here, we describe a dose-dependent growth and survival inhibitory effects of BIX-01294, a specific inhibitor of euchromatic HMT2, in promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and NB4 cells. BIX-01294 combined with all-trans retinoic acid or together with histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors enhanced cell differentiation to granulocytes and induced cell line-specific changes in the expression of cell cycle-, survival- and differentiation regulating genes and proteins in association with histone modification state. Our results suggest that targeting EHMT2 may be of therapeutical benefits in myeloid leukemia.

Epigenetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the antileukemic activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor belinostat in human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Therapeutic strategies targeting histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition have become promising in many human malignancies. Belinostat (PXD101) is a hydroxamate-type HDAC inhibitor tested in phase I and II clinical trials in solid tumors and hematological cancers. However, little is known about the use of belinostat for differentiation therapy against acute myelogenous leukemia. Here, we characterize the antileukemia activity of belinostat as a single drug and in combination with all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) in promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and NB4 cells. Belinostat exerted dose-dependent growth-inhibitory or proapoptotic effects, promoting cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 or the S transition. Apoptosis was accompanied by activation of caspase 3, degradation of PARP-1, and cell cycle-dependent changes in the expression of survivin, cyclin E1, and cyclin A2. Belinostat induced a dose-dependent reduction in the expression of EZH2 and SUZ12, HDAC-1, HDAC-2, and histone acetyltransferase PCAF (p300/CBP-associated factor). Belinostat increased acetylation of histone H4, H3 at K9 and H3 at K16 residues in a dose-dependent manner, but did not reduce trimethylation of H3 at K27 at proapoptotic doses. Combined treatment with belinostat and RA dose dependently accelerated and reinforced granulocytic differentiation, accompanied by changes in the expression of CD11b, C/EBPα (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α), and C/EBPε. Our results concluded the usefulness of belinostat, as an epigenetic drug, for antileukemia and differentiation therapy.

Epigenetic changes during hematopoietic cell granulocytic differentiation--comparative analysis of primary CD34+ cells, KG1 myeloid cells and mature neutrophils.

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic regulation is known to affect gene expression, and recent research shows that aberrant DNA methylation patterning and histone modifications may play a role in leukemogenesis. In order to highlight the co-operation of epigenetic mechanisms acting during the latter process it is important to clarify their potential as biomarkers of granulocytic differentiation. RESULTS: In this study we investigated epigenetic alterations in human hematopoietic cells at a distinct differentiation stages: primary hematopoietic CD34+ cells, KG1 myeloid leukemic cells, whose development is stopped at early stage of differentiation, and mature neutrophils. We focused on the epigenetic status of cell cycle regulating (p15, p16) and differentiation related (E-cadherin and RARß) genes. We found that the methylation level in promoter regions of some of these genes was considerably higher in KG1 cells and lower in CD34+ cells and human neutrophils. As examined and evaluated by computer-assisted methods, histone H3 and H4 modifications, i.e. H3K4Me3, H3K9Ac, H3K9Ac/S10Ph and H4 hyperAc, were similar in CD34+ cells and human mature neutrophils. By contrast, in the KG1 cells, histone H3 and H4 modifications were quite high and increased after induction of granulocytic differentiation with the HDAC inhibitor phenyl butyrate. CONCLUSIONS: We found the methylation status of the examined gene promoters and histone modifications to be characteristically associated with the hematopoietic cell progenitor state, induced to differentiate myeloid KG1 cells and normal blood neutrophils. This could be achieved through epigenetic regulation of E-cadherin, p15, p16 and RARß genes expression caused by DNA methylation/demethylation, core and linker histones distribution in stem hematopoietic cells, induced to differentiation KG1 cells and mature human neutrophils, as well as the histone modifications H3K4Me3, H3K9Ac, H3K9Ac/S10Ph and H4 hyperAc in relation to hematopoietic cell differentiation to granulocyte. These findings also suggest them as potentially important biomarkers of hematopoietic cell granulocytic differentiation and could be valuable for leukemia induced differentiation therapy.

DNA methyltransferase inhibitor RG108 and histone deacetylase inhibitors cooperate to enhance NB4 cell differentiation and E-cadherin re-expression by chromatin remodelling.

Epigenetic silencing of cancer-related genes by abnormal methylation and the reversal of this process by DNA methylation inhibitors represents a promising strategy in cancer therapy. As DNA methylation affects gene expression and chromatin structure, we investigated the effects of novel DNMT (DNA methyltransferase) inhibitor, RG108, alone and in its combinations with structurally several HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors [sodium PB (phenyl butyrate) or BML-210 (N-(2-aminophenyl)-N'phenyloctanol diamine), and all-trans RA (retinoic acid)] in the human PML (promyelocytic leukaemia) NB4 cells. RG108 at different doses from 20 to 100 µM caused time-, but not a dose-dependent inhibition of NB4 cell proliferation without cytotoxicity. Temporal pretreatment with RG108 before RA resulted in a dose-dependent cell growth inhibition and remarkable acceleration of granulocytic differentiation. Prolonged treatments with RG108 and RA in the presence of HDAC inhibitors significantly increased differentiation. RG108 caused time-dependent re-expression of methylation-silenced E-cadherin, with increase after temporal or continuous treatments with RG108 and RA, or RA together with PB in parallel, in cell maturation, suggesting the role of E-cadherin as a possible therapeutic marker. These processes required both PB-induced hyperacetylation of histone H4 and trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4, indicating the cooperative action of histone modifications and DNA methylation/demethylation in derepression of E-cadherin. This work provides novel experimental evidence of the beneficial role of the DNMT inhibitor RG108 in combinations with RA and HDACIs in the effective differentiation of human PML based on epigenetics.

Antileukemic activity of combined epigenetic agents, DNMT inhibitors zebularine and RG108 with HDAC inhibitors, against promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells.

DNMT inhibitors are promising new drugs for cancer therapies. In this study, we have observed the antileukemic action of two diverse DNMT inhibitors, the nucleoside agent zebularine and the non-nucleoside agent RG108, in human promyelocytic leukemia (PML) HL-60 cells. Zebularine but not RG108 caused dose- and time-dependent cell growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. However, co-treatment with either drug at a non-toxic dose and all trans retinoic acid (RA) reinforced differentiation to granulocytes, while 24 or 48 h-pretreatment with zebularine or RG108 followed by RA alone or in the presence of HDAC inhibitors (sodium phenyl butyrate or BML-210) significantly accelerated and enhanced cell maturation to granulocytes. This occurs in parallel with the expression of a surface biomarker, CD11b, and early changes in histone H4 acetylation and histone H3K4me3 methylation. The application of both drugs to HL-60 cells in continuous or sequential fashion decreased DNMT1 expression, and induced E-cadherin promoter demethylation and reactivation at both the mRNA and the protein levels in association with the induction of granulocytic differentiation. The results confirmed the utility of zebularine and RG108 in combinations with RA and HDAC inhibitors to reinforce differentiation effects in promyelocytic leukemia.

Alpha-Dystrobrevin and its associated proteins in human promyelocytic leukemia cells induced to apoptosis.

Dystrobrevin is a dystrophin-related component of the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC). Using alpha-dystrobrevin as indicator, we aimed to elucidate the interaction network of the DAPC with other proteins during apoptosis of promyelocytic HL-60 cells. The precise role(s) of DBs are not known, but we and others have shown that they play a role in intracellular signal transduction and cellular organization. Apoptosis was induced with etoposide in the absence or presence of Z-VAD to block caspase activity, and we then followed the cellular distribution of α-DB and its association with other proteins, using confocal imaging and cell fractions analyses after immune-precipitation with anti-α-DB and mass spectrometry. Confocal imaging revealed distinct spatial relocalizations of α-DB between the cell membrane, cytosol and nucleus after induction of apoptosis. The expression levels of the identified proteins were evaluated with computer-assisted image analysis of the gels. We thus identified associations with structural and transport proteins (tropomyosin, myosin), membrane (ADAM21, syntrophin), ER-Golgi (TGN51, eIF38) and nuclear (Lamins, ribonucleoprotein C1/C2) proteins. These results suggest that apoptosis-induction in HL-60 cells involves not only classical markers of apoptosis but also a network α-DB-associated proteins at the cell membrane, the cytoplasm and nucleus, affecting key cellular transport processes and cellular structure.

Epigenetic changes by zebularine leading to enhanced differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia NB4 and KG1 cells.

Aberrant DNA methylation is a critical epigenetic process involved in gene expression of tumor cells. Diverse DNA methyltransferase inhibitors are being studied as potential anticancer drugs, and there is interest in developing novel and more effective DNMTIs. We evaluated zebularine, a stable and low-toxic cytidine analog, effects on human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines, NB4 and KG1. Zebularine caused a dose- and time-dependent NB4 and KG1 cell growth inhibition, did not induce myeloid differentiation but triggered concentration-dependent apoptosis as manifested by procaspase-3 and PAR-1 cleavage and the occurrence of early apoptosis detected by Annexin-V-propidium iodide. Zebularine co-treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (RA) at pharmacological dose (1 µM for NB4 cells) and higher (3 µM for KG1 cells) increased granulocytic differentiation in both cell lines. Pretreatment for 24 or 48 h with zebularine before the treatment with different doses of RA alone or RA with histone deacetylase inhibitors, phenyl butyrate, and BML-210, resulted in significant acceleration and enhancement of differentiation and cell cycle arrest at G0/1. Zebularine alone or in sequential combination with RA decreased expression of DNMT1, caused fast and time-dependent expression of pan-cadherin and partial demethylation of E-cadherin but not tumor suppressor p15. When used in combination with RA, zebularine increased expression of both genes transcript and protein. Zebularine induced regional chromatin remodeling by local histone H4 acetylation and histone H3-K4 methylation in promoter sites of methylated E-cadherin and also in the promoter of unmethylated p21 as evidenced by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Our results extend the spectrum of zebularine effects and the evaluation its utility in acute myeloid leukemia therapy based on epigenetics.

Effects of different sera on adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

Current cell therapy protocols require considerable numbers of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which can be obtained only by in vitro expansion. The most important issue is a choice of optimal growth supplements for cell culture. Ideally, these should be of known composition, free of animal components and allow production of large homogenic populations of MSCs in a considerably short period of time. Since this standard has not been achieved to date, we aimed to assess the molecular responses of MSCs to different growth supplements commonly in use. MSCs were isolated from breast or abdominal adipose tissue and plated into DMEM supplemented with one of four different sera: fetal calf serum (FCS), pretested fetal calf serum (FCS-Sp), human allogeneic serum (HS) or artificial serum substitute (AS). MSCs cultivated with different serum supplements demonstrated distinct morphologies, high adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential and expressed characteristic antigens. Using real-time PCR, we found a large increase in PPARγ and Msx2 gene expression in both lines of proliferating MSCs cultivated with AS. We found that MSCs cultivated in the presence of different sera had similar global proteomic expression patterns, but comparisons of identified proteins revealed most differences in the MSCs cultivated with AS. Our results indicate that MSCs cultivated in the presence of FCS and HS display similar growth, differentiation, immunophenotypic and proteomic properties, while AS induces more profound changes in the physiology of MSCs, suggesting that further fundamental studies should be done before its introduction into clinical practice.

C/EBPα and PU.1 are involved in distinct differentiation responses of acute promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and NB4 cells via chromatin remodeling.

C/EBPα and PU.1 are the basic transcription factors that control differentiation-related genes, including granulocyte- colony-stimulating factor (G-CSFR) and human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Here, we analyzed a role of C/EBPα and PU.1 in human acute leukemia cell lines, HL-60 and NB4, in association with a modified chromatin structure by histone deacetylase inhibitors, FK228, sodium phenyl butyrate and vitamin B3. We found that sodium phenyl butyrate alone and 6h-pretreatment with phenyl butyrate or FK228 before the induction of differentiation with all-trans-retinoic acid in the presence of vitamin B3 effectively accelerated and enhanced differentiation to granulocytes in HL-60 but not in NB4 cells as detected by NBT test and the expression of CD11b and CD114 (G-CSFR) using flow cytometric analysis. HDACIs induced a time- and dose-dependent accumulation of hyper-acetylated histone H4 in both cell lines with the delay in NB4 cells. Time-dependent different induction of HL-60 and NB4 cell differentiation was paralleled by the activation of C/EBPα and PU.1 binding to the G-CSFR and the HNE promoters in electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed histone H4 acetylation in the G-CSF receptor promoter at the C/EBPα binding site in HL-60 but not in NB4 cells under the combined treatment. The results indicate that epigenetic events, such as histone acetylation, are involved in the activity modulation of the key transcription factors responsible for the induction of granulocytic differentiation in promyelocytic leukemia cells.

A critical role of redox state in determining HL-60 cell granulocytic differentiation and apoptosis via involvement of PKC and NF-kappaB.

The modifications of intracellular redox balance leads to important cellular changes in many cell types. Here, a causal relationship among redox state, granulocytic differentiation induced by all-trans retinoic acid (RA) or dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and apoptosis have been studied in the human acute promyelocytic leukaemia HL-60 cells. The modulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels by D: , L: -buthionine-(S, R) sulfoximide (BSO), and N: -acetyl-L: -cysteine (NAC) caused inducer- and time-dependent or stage-specific effects on HL-60 cell growth inhibition, differentiation and subsequent apoptosis. The presence of BSO during the commitment stage suppressed RA-but not dbcAMP-mediated differentiation, while NAC inhibited both. BSO alone and in combination with RA or dbcAMP-induced apoptosis, which was prevented by NAC in dbcAMP-but not in RA-treated cells. Using protein kinase C inhibitor, calphostin C, cross-talk effects between the intracellular redox state and PKC signalling was identified by demonstrating inducer-dependent changes in cell differentiation or apoptosis, which were associated with the changes in DNA-NF-kappaB binding activity. These observations suggest a critical role of redox state in determining HL-60 cell behaviour and provide new insights into the complex effects of redox perturbations on the intracellular signalling network via the involvement of PKC and NF-kappaB.

Response of retinoic acid-resistant KG1 cells to combination of retinoic acid with diverse histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia KG1 cells with t(11;17) PLZF-RARalpha respond poorly to the differentiation inducer all-trans retinoic acid (RA), and the reason for the RA resistance is the recruitment of histone deacetylase by PLZF-RARalpha. Here, we demonstrate that histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), FK228, BML-210, phenyl butyrate, and vitamin B3, in different combinations with RA, act as KG1 cell growth inhibitors. Partial differentiation to granulocytes was induced by 3 micromol/L RA, and its combination with HDAC inhibitors did not enhance RA-induced but potentiated apoptosis. HDACIs induced accumulation of hyperacetylated histone H4. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis has revealed phenyl butyrate and its combinations with RA and vitamin B3 cause histone H4 acetylation in the p21 promoter regions corresponding to p53 and/or Sp1 sites. This was coincident with the activation of the transcription factor p53-binding activity to the p21 promoter in electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The results indicate the possibility of using the combination of agents for therapeutic strategy in RA-resistant acute myeloid leukemia to produce both differentiation and apoptosis.

PI 3-K signaling pathway suppresses PMA-induced expression of p21WAF1/Cip1 in human leukemia cells.

Despite the understanding of the importance of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-K) signaling pathway in the regulation of cellular proliferation, little is known about its role during phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced differentiation in human leukemia cells. Here, we report a novel finding that PI 3-K inhibition by LY294002 significantly increases p21WAF1/Cip1 expression in PMA-stimulated human leukemia cells NB4 and THP1. LY294002 potentiated expression of p21WAF1/Cip1 via a p53-independent mechanism and did not affect mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) experiments revealed that blocking of PI 3-K was associated with increased binding of transcription factor Sp1 to the PMA-responsive sites on the p21WAF1/Cip1 promoter. Pretreatment with rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR kinase, decreased the expression of p21WAF1/Cip1 protein in PMA-stimulated NB4 cells. The level of PMA-induced p21WAF1/Cip1 protein expression was lower in NB4 cells overexpressing wild type protein kinase C zeta (PKC zeta) compared to those transfected with empty vector or with kinase inactive PKC zeta. Sp1 binding to the p21WAF1/Cip1 promoter was completely lost in a wild type PKC zeta overexpressing and PMA-stimulated NB4 cells. We demonstrate that PI 3-K signaling pathway suppresses PMA-induced expression of p21WAF1/Cip1 in human leukemia cells, and that this effect is partly mediated by PKC zeta.