The role of GATA switch in benzene metabolite hydroquinone inhibiting erythroid differentiation in K562 cells.

The phenolic metabolite of benzene, hydroquinone (HQ), has potential risks for hematological disorders and hematotoxicity in humans. Previous studies have revealed that reactive oxygen species, DNA methylation, and histone acetylation participate in benzene metabolites inhibiting erythroid differentiation in hemin-induced K562 cells. GATA1 and GATA2 are crucial erythroid-specific transcription factors that exhibit dynamic expression patterns during erythroid differentiation. We investigated the role of GATA factors in HQ-inhibited erythroid differentiation in K562 cells. When K562 cells were induced with 40 µM hemin for 0-120 h, the mRNA and protein levels of GATA1 and GATA2 changed dynamically. After exposure to 40 µM HQ for 72 h, K562 cells were induced with 40 µM hemin for 48 h. HQ considerably reduced the percentage of hemin-induced Hb-positive cells, decreased the GATA1 mRNA, protein, and occupancy levels at α-globin and ß-globin gene clusters, and increased the GATA2 mRNA and protein levels significantly. ChIP-seq analysis revealed that HQ reduced GATA1 occupancy, and increased GATA2 occupancy at most gene loci in hemin-induced K562 cells. And GATA1 and GATA2 might play essential roles in the erythroid differentiation protein interaction network. These results elucidate that HQ decreases GATA1 occupancy and increases GATA2 occupancy at the erythroid gene loci, thereby downregulating GATA1 and upregulating GATA2 expression, which in turn modulates the expression of erythroid genes and inhibits erythroid differentiation. This partially explains the mechanism of benzene hematotoxicity.

Identification of potential pathways and microRNA-mRNA networks associated with benzene metabolite hydroquinone-induced hematotoxicity in human leukemia K562 cells.

BACKGROUND: Hydroquinone (HQ) is a phenolic metabolite of benzene with a potential risk for hematological disorders and hematotoxicity in humans. In the present study, an integrative analysis of microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA expressions was performed to identify potential pathways and miRNA-mRNA network associated with benzene metabolite hydroquinone-induced hematotoxicity. METHODS: K562 cells were treated with 40 µM HQ for 72 h, mRNA and miRNA expression changes were examined using transcriptomic profiles and miRNA microarray, and then bioinformatics analysis was performed. RESULTS: Out of all the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) induced by HQ, 1482 DEGs and 10 DEMs were up-regulated, and 1594 DEGs and 42 DEMs were down-regulated. HQ-induced DEGs were involved in oxidative stress, apoptosis, DNA methylation, histone acetylation and cellular response to leukemia inhibitory factor GO terms, as well as metabolic, Wnt/ß-catenin, NF-κB, and leukemia-related pathways. The regulatory network of mRNAs and miRNAs includes 23 miRNAs, 1108 target genes, and 2304 potential miRNAs-mRNAs pairs. MiR-1246 and miR-224 had the potential to be major regulators in HQ-exposed K562 cells based on the miRNAs-mRNAs network. CONCLUSIONS: This study reinforces the use of in vitro model of HQ exposure and bioinformatic approaches to advance our knowledge on molecular mechanisms of benzene hematotoxicity at the RNA level.

Benzene metabolite 1,2,4-benzenetriol changes DNA methylation and histone acetylation of erythroid-specific genes in K562 cells.

1,2,4-Benzenetriol (BT) is one of the phenolic metabolites of benzene, a general occupational hazard and ubiquitous environmental air pollutant with leukemogenic potential in humans. Previous studies have revealed that the benzene metabolites phenol and hydroquinone can inhibit hemin-induced erythroid differentiation in K562 cells. We investigated the roles of DNA methylation and histone acetylation in BT-inhibited erythroid differentiation in K562 cells. When K562 cells were treated with 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20 µM BT for 72 h, hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Both 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR, DNA methyltransferase inhibitor) and trichostatin A (TSA, histone deacetylases inhibitor) could prevent 20 µM BT from inhibiting hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis and the mRNA expression of erythroid genes. Exposure to BT changed DNA methylation levels at several CpG sites of erythroid-specific genes, as well as the acetylation of histone H3 and H4, chromatin occupancy of GATA-1 and recruitment of RNA polymerase II at α-globin and ß-globin gene clusters after hemin induction. These results demonstrated that BT could inhibit hemin-induced erythroid differentiation, where DNA methylation and histone acetylation also played important roles by down-regulating erythroid-specific genes. This partly explained the mechanisms of benzene hematotoxicity.

Inhibition of Erythroid Differentiation of Human Leukemia K562 Cells by N-acetylcysteine and Ascorbic Acid through Downregulation of ROS.

This study investigated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and ascorbic acid (AA) on hemin-induced K562 cell erythroid differentiation and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this process. Hemin increased ROS levels in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas NAC and AA had opposite effects. Both NAC and AA eliminated transient increased ROS levels after hemin treatment, inhibited hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis, and decreased mRNA expression levels of ß-globin, γ-globin, and GATA-1 genes significantly. Pretreatment with 5,000 µmol/L AA for 2 h resulted in a considerably lower inhibition ratio of hemoglobin synthesis than that when pretreated for 24 h, whereas the ROS levels were the lowest when treated with 5,000 µmol/L AA for 2 h. These results show that NAC and AA might inhibit hemin-induced K562 cell erythroid differentiation by downregulating ROS levels.

Changes in DNA methylation of erythroid-specific genes in K562 cells exposed to catechol in long term.

Catechol is one of phenolic metabolites of benzene that is a general occupational hazard and a ubiquitous environmental air pollutant. Catechol also occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables and cigarettes. Previous studies have revealed that 72h exposure to catechol improved hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells accompanied with elevated methylation in erythroid specific genes. In present study, K562 cells were treated with 0, 10 or 20µM catechol for 1-4weeks, hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis increased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and the enhanced hemoglobin synthesis was relatively stable. The mRNA expression of α-, ß- and γ-globin genes, erythroid heme synthesis enzymes PBGD and ALAS2, transcription factor GATA-1 and NF-E2 showed a significant increase in K562 cells exposed to 20µM catechol for 3w, and catechol enhanced hemin-induced mRNA expression of these genes. Quantitative MassARRAY methylation analysis also confirmed that the exposure to catechol changed DNA methylation levels at several CpG sites in several erythroid-specific genes and their far upstream of regulatory elements. These results demonstrated that long-term exposure to low concentration of catechol enhanced the hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells, in which DNA methylation played a role by up-regulating erythroid specific genes.

High glucose induced endothelial to mesenchymal transition in human umbilical vein endothelial cell.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) could contribute to the progression of diabetic nephropathy, diabetic renal fibrosis, and cardiac fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of high glucose and related mechanism of MAPK inhibitor or specific antioxidant on the EndMT. METHODS: In vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured with 11mM, 30mM, 60mM and 120mM glucose for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 168h. Endothelial cell morphology was observed with microscope, and RT-PCR was used to detect mRNA expression of endothelial markers VE-cadherin and CD31, mesenchymal markers α-SMA and collagen I, and transforming growth factor TGF-ß1. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of CD31 and α-SMA. The concentration of TGF-ß1 in the supernatant was detected by ELISA. ERK1/2 phosphorylation level was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: High glucose induced EndMT and increased the TGF-ß1 level in HUVEC cells. Cells in high glucose for 7 days showed a significant decrease in mRNA expression of CD31 and VE-cadherin, and a significant increase in that of α-SMA and collagen I, while lost CD31 staining and acquired α-SMA staining. ERK signaling pathway blocker PD98059 significantly attenuated the high glucose-induced increase in the ERK1/2 phosphorylation level. PD98059 and NAC both inhibited high glucose-induced TGF-ß1 expression and attenuated EndMT marker protein synthesis. CONCLUSION: High glucose could induce HUVEC cells to undergo EndMT. NAC and ERK signaling pathway may play important role in the regulation of the TGF-ß1 biosynthesis during high glucose-induced EndMT.

The role of ROS in hydroquinone-induced inhibition of K562 cell erythroid differentiation.

The role of ROS in hydroquinone-induced inhibition of K562 cell erythroid differentiation was investigated. After K562 cells were treated with hydroquinone for 24 h, and hemin was later added to induce erythroid differentiation for 48 h, hydroquinone inhibited hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis and mRNA expression of γ-globin in K562 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The 24-h exposure to hydroquinone also caused a concentration-dependent increase at an intracellular ROS level, while the presence of N- acetyl-L-cysteine prevented hydroquinone- induced ROS production in K562 cells. The presence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine also prevented hydroquinone inhibiting hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis and mRNA expression of γ-globin in K562 cells. These evidences indicated that ROS production played a role in hydroquinone-induced inhibition of erythroid differentiation.

Phenolic metabolites of benzene induced caspase-dependent cytotoxicities to K562 cells accompanied with decrease in cell surface sialic acids.

Benzene-induced erythropoietic depression has been proposed to be due to the production of toxic metabolites. Presently, the cytotoxicities of benzene metabolites, including phenol, catechol, hydroquinone, and 1,2,4-benzenetriol, to erythroid progenitor-like K562 cells were investigated. After exposure to these metabolites, K562 cells showed significant inhibition of viability and apoptotic characteristics. Each metabolite caused a significant increase in activities of caspase-3, -8, and -9, and pretreatment with caspase-3, -8, and -9 inhibitors significantly inhibited benzene metabolites-induced phosphatidylserine exposure. These metabolites also elevated expression of Fas and FasL on the cell surface. After exposure to benzene metabolites, K562 cells showed an increase in reactive oxygen species level, and pretreatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine significantly protected against the cytotoxicity of each metabolite. Interestingly, the control K562 cells and the phenol-exposed cells aggregated together, but the cells exposed to other metabolites were scattered. Further analysis showed that hydroquione, catechol, and 1,2,4-benzenetriol induced a decrease in the cell surface sialic acid levels and an increase in the cell surface sialidase activity, but phenol did not cause any changes in sialic acid levels and sialidase activity. Consistently, an increase in expression level of sialidase Neu3 mRNA and a decrease in mRNA level of sialyltransferase ST3GAL3 gene were detected in hydroquione-, catechol-, or 1,2,4-benzenetriol-treated cells, but no change in mRNA levels of two genes were found in phenol-treated cells. In conclusion, these benzene metabolites could induce apoptosis of K562 cells mainly through caspase-8-dependent pathway and ROS production, and sialic acid metabolism might play a role in the apoptotic process.

The role of catechol-O-methyltransferase in catechol-enhanced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells.

Catechol is widely used in pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Catechol is also one of phenolic metabolites of benzene in vivo. Our previous study showed that catechol improved erythroid differentiation potency of K562 cells, which was associated with decreased DNA methylation in erythroid specific genes. Catechol is a substrate for the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)-mediated methylation. In the present study, the role of COMT in catechol-enhanced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells was investigated. Benzidine staining showed that exposure to catechol enhanced hemin-induced hemoglobin accumulation and induced mRNA expression of erythroid specific genes in K562 cells. Treatment with catechol caused a time- and concentration-dependent increase in guaiacol concentration in the medium of cultured K562 cells. When COMT expression was knocked down by COMT shRNA expression in K562 cells, the production of guaiacol significantly reduced, and the sensitivity of K562 cells to cytotoxicity of catechol significantly increased. Knockdown of COMT expression by COMT shRNA expression also eliminated catechol-enhanced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. In addition, the pre-treatment with methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine or its demethylated product S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine induced a significant increase in hemin-induced Hb synthesis in K562 cells and the mRNA expression of erythroid specific genes. These findings indicated that O-methylation catalyzed by COMT acted as detoxication of catechol and involved in catechol-enhanced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells, and the production of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine partly explained catechol-enhanced erythroid differentiation.

Changes in DNA methylation of erythroid-specific genes in K562 cells exposed to phenol and hydroquinone.

Benzene is a common occupational hazard as well as a widespread pollutant. Its metabolites play important roles in its toxicity to the hematopoietic system, but little is known about how benzene metabolites affect erythropoiesis. Our previous study demonstrated that benzene metabolites, including phenol and hydroquinone, inhibited hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. In present study, to elucidate the role of DNA methylation in benzene metabolites-induced inhibition on erythroid differentiation, it was investigated whether DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR), was able to prevent benzene metabolites inhibiting hemin-induced erythroid differentiation in K562 cells, and the methylation levels of erythroid-specific genes in benzene metabolites-treated K562 cells were analyzed by Quantitative MassARRAY methylation analysis platform. It was found that treatment of K562 cells with 5-aza-CdR completely prevented phenol and hydroquinone inhibiting hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis and hemin-induced expression of erythroid specific genes, including α- and ß-globin, erythroid porphobilinogen deaminase and GATA binding protein 1 (GATA-1). Consistently, the exposure to benzene metabolites caused an increase in DNA methylation levels at a few CpG sites in some erythroid specific genes, including α-globin gene and α-cluster HS40 element, ß-globin gene and HS core sequence in LCR of ß-globin gene cluster, erythroid porphobilinogen deaminase gene, and GATA-1 gene. These results indicated that DNA methylation played a role in benzene metabolites inhibiting hemin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells via down-regulating transcription of some erythroid related genes.

The role of DNA methylation in catechol-enhanced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells.

Catechol is one of phenolic metabolites of benzene in vivo. Catechol is also widely used in pharmaceutical and chemical industries. In addition, fruits, vegetables and cigarette smoke also contain catechol. Our precious study showed that several benzene metabolites (phenol, hydroquinone, and 1,2,4-benzenetriol) inhibited erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. In present study, the effect of catechol on erythroid differentiation of K562 cells was investigated. Moreover, to address the role of DNA methylation in catechol-induced effect on erythroid differentiation in K562 cells, methylation levels of erythroid-specific genes were analyzed by Quantitative MassARRAY methylation analysis platform. Benzidine staining showed that exposure to catechol enhanced hemin-induced hemoglobin accumulation in K562 cells in concentration- and time-dependent manners. The mRNA expression of erythroid specific genes, including α-globin, ß-globin, γ-globin, erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase, erythroid porphobilinogen deaminase, and transcription factor GATA-1 genes, showed a significant concentration-dependent increase in catechol-treated K562 cells. The exposure to catechol caused a decrease in DNA methylation levels at a few CpG sites in some erythroid specific genes including α-globin, ß-globin and erythroid porphobilinogen deaminase genes. These results indicated that catechol improved erythroid differentiation potency of K562 cells at least partly via up-regulating transcription of some erythroid related genes, and suggested that inhibition of DNA methylation might be involved in up-regulated expression of some erythroid related genes.

Phenolic metabolites of benzene inhibited the erythroid differentiation of K562 cells.

Benzene is a common occupational hazard and a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Benzene exposure at the levels even below 1ppm still showed hematotoxicity. It is widely accepted that the metabolites of benzene play important roles in the benzene toxicity to the hematopoietic system, but little is known about the effects of benzene metabolites on erythropoiesis. In present study, erythroid progenitor-like K562 cells were used to determine the effects of phenolic metabolites of benzene, including phenol, hydroquinone and 1,2,4-benzenetriol, on the erythroid differentiation. After the treatment with these benzene metabolites at the concentrations with no obvious cytotoxicity, the hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis in K562 cells decreased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and the expression of CD71 and GPA protein on the surface of K562 cells was also inhibited. The reverse transcription-PCR was used to determine the mRNA level of the erythroid related genes in the K562 cells that were treated with benzene metabolites. The hemin-induced expression of globin genes, including α-, ß- and γ-globin genes, and the gene encoding the heme synthesis enzyme porphobilinogen deaminase was inhibited by benzene metabolites. When the K562 cells were pretreated with benzene metabolites, the hemin-induced expression of two transcription factor genes GATA-1 and NF-E2 was distinctly reduced, and the pre-treatment with benzene metabolites promoted the decrease of the mRNA level of transcription factor gene GATA-2 by hemin. These results indicated that benzene metabolites inhibited the hemin-induced erythroid differentiation through affecting the transcription of the erythroid related genes.

Prooxidant action of chebulinic acid and tellimagrandin I: causing copper-dependent DNA strand breaks.

The prooxidant activity of two hydrolysable tannins, chebulinic acid and tellimagrandin I, on plasmid DNA and genomic DNA of cultured MRC-5 human embryo lung fibroblasts was assessed. The results revealed that both hydrolysable tannins in combination with Cu(II) induced DNA strand breaks in pBR322 plasmid DNA in a concentration-dependent manner. Chebulinic acid and tellimagrandin I also induced genomic DNA strand breaks of MRC-5 human embryo lung fibroblasts in the presence of Cu(II). After treatment with chebulinic acid or tellimagrandin I alone, the pBR322 plasmid DNA and genomic DNA in MRC-5 cells kept intact. In addition, addition of Cu(I) reagent bathocuproinedisulfonic acid or catalase markedly inhibited the copper-dependent DNA strand breaks by both tannins. However, three typical hydroxyl radical scavengers, DMSO, ethanol and mannitol, did not inhibit the DNA strand breaks. Both tannins were able to reduce Cu(II) to Cu(I). These results indicated that chebulinic acid and tellimagrandin I induced the copper-dependent strand breaks of pBR322 plasmid DNA and MRC-5 genomic DNA with prooxidant action, in which Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox cycle and H(2)O(2) were involved and hydroxyl radical formation is important in the hypothetical mechanism by which DNA strand breaks are formed.

Chebulinic acid and tellimagrandin I inhibit DNA strand breaks by hydroquinone/Cu(II) and H(2)O(2)/Cu(II), but potentiate DNA strand breaks by H(2)O(2)/Fe(II).

The effects of two polyphenols, chebulinic acid and tellimagrandin I, on DNA strand breaks mediated by H(2)O(2)/Cu(II), hydroquinone (HQ)/Cu(II) and H(2)O(2)/Fe(II) in pBR322 plasmid DNA and genomic DNA of cultured MRC-5 human embryo lung fibroblasts were examined. The results demonstrated that chebulinic acid and tellimagrandin I obviously inhibited HQ/Cu(II)- and H(2)O(2)/Cu(II)-mediated pBR322 DNA strand breaks. When MRC-5 cells were treated with HQ/Cu(II), the presence of chebulinic acid or tellimagrandin I inhibited HQ/Cu(II)-mediated double strand breaks of genomic DNA. The presence of chebulinic acid or tellimagrandin I did not affect the H(2)O(2)- and HQ-mediated reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I). Both polyphenols could slightly inhibit H(2)O(2)/Fe(II)-mediated plasmid DNA strand break at the lower concentration (1-10 microM), but potentiate the DNA strand break at the higher concentration (over 50 microM). These results demonstrated that chebulinic acid and tellimagrandin I possessed antioxidant action in certain conditions and exerted prooxidant action on DNA strand breaks in other conditions.

Downregulation of connexin 43 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells is related to promoter methylation.

Down-regulation of Cx43 expression had been shown to occur in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. The present study was undertaken to estimate if methylation of the promoter region in Cx43 gene was responsible for the repression of Cx43 expression in the CNE-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Calcein transfer and lucifer yellow transfer were detected to evaluate gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in CNE-1 cells. It was found that the control CNE-1 cells showed no fluorescent dye transfer. After treatment with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-CdR, fluorescent dye transfer between cells became obvious. RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to determine the expression of Cx43 gene. The control CNE-1 cells showed a low expression level of Cx43, whereas 5-aza-CdR-treated CNE-1 cells showed an enhanced level of Cx43 expression. Methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme and PCR analysis showed that the methylation of the Cx43 gene promoter region occurred in CNE-1 cells. In addition, treatment with 5-aza-CdR inhibited the growth (including anchorage-independent growth) of CNE-1 cells, and resulted in an accumulation of cells in G0/G1 phase. These results indicate the promoter methylation as an important role in inactivation of Cx43 in CNE-1 cells.

Tellimagrandin I enhances gap junctional communication and attenuates the tumor phenotype of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells in vitro.

Tellimagrandin I and chebulinic acid, two hydrolysable tannins, have been shown to exert anti-tumor properties. Dysfunctional gap junctional communication (GJIC) has been recognized as being involved in carcinogenesis. The human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells have been reported to be deficient in functional GJIC. In present study, we investigated whether tellimagrandin I and chebulinic acid might restore functional GJIC in HeLa cells. Both compounds could inhibit the growth of HeLa cells. Either Lucifer yellow transfer assay or calcein transfer assay demonstrated that tellimagrandin I improved GJIC in HeLa cells while chebulinic acid showed no effect on GJIC. The GJIC enhancement by tellimagrandin I occurred along with an increase of Cx43 gene expression at mRNA and protein levels. Exposure to tellimagrandin I also led to inhibition of proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of HeLa cells. In addition, tellimagrandin I decreased the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases coinciding with an increase in the percentage of cells in the S phase. The accumulation of cells in S phase was coupled with a decreased expression of cyclin A that was critical to the progression of S phase. These results suggested that restoring GJIC might be one explanation for tellimagrandin I antitumor effects, whereas chebulinic acid exerted antitumor action through other pathways.

Down-regulation of mitotic checkpoint in transformed human embryo lung fibroblasts induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguaridine.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in mitotic checkpoint genes have been detected in several human cancers, which exhibit chromosome instability. We wanted to know whether mutation of hBub1 could occur in transformed human embryo lung fibroblasts (HELF) cells induced by a chemical carcinogen. METHODS: HELF cells were transformed by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguaridine (MNNG), and three flasks of transformed HELF cells (named as T1, T2, and T3) were selected as amplifiers, and mutations of hBub1 in these transformed cells were analyzed by PCR-SSCP and sequencing. RESULTS: It was found that any one of three transformed cell lines exhibited aneuploidy with a low mitotic checkpoint function. Subsequent PCR-SSCP and sequence analysis showed an AGT to CGT or ATT mutation at codon 80 in hBub1 gene in T1 cells with a resultant change in amino acid sequence. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that the mitotic checkpoint genes could be targets of MNNG.

Effects of chebulinic acid on differentiation of human leukemia K562 cells.

AIM: To study effects of chebulinic acid on erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation in K562 cells. METHODS: The benzidine staining method was used to evaluate hemoglobin synthesis; the expression of erythroid specific glycophorin A (GPA) protein and megakaryocytic surface marker CD61 was determined by flow cytometry using fluorescence labeled antibodies; erythroid and megakaryocytic mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: During erythroid differentiation induced by butyric acid (BA) or hemin, chebulinic acid not only inhibited the hemoglobin synthesis of BA- and hemin-treated K562 cells in concentration-dependent manner with IC50 of 4 micromol/L and 40 micromol/L respectively, but also inhibited another erythroid differentiation marker acetylcholinesterase at the concentration of 50 micromol/L in the cells either treated or untreated with each erythroid differentiation inducers, whereas chebulinic acid 50 micromol/L did not change GPA protein expression in these cells significantly. When K562 cells were treated with TPA 50 microg/L for 72 h to induce megakaryocytic differentiation, the presence of chebulinic acid 50 micromol/L slightly provoked the decrease of GPA protein expression induced by TPA. Chebulinic acid did not change the TPA-induced CD61 expression at the same concentration. Chebulinic acid also reduced the mRNA levels of erythroid relative genes including gamma-globin, PBGD, NF-E2, and GATA-1 genes in K562 cells either treated or untreated with BA, whereas chebulinic acid upregulated the mRNA levels of GATA-2 transcription factor in these cells. CONCLUSION: Chebulinic acid had inhibitory effect on erythroid differentiation likely through changing transcriptional activation of differentiation relative genes, which suggests that chebulinic acid or other tannins might influence the efficiency of some anti-tumor drugs-induced differentiation or the hematopoiesis processes.