Induction of differentiation in murine erythroleukemia cells by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3.

The Friend murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells can be stimulated to differentiate in response to a variety of chemical inducing agents. In the present study, the effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on differentiation of MEL cells was investigated. Vitamin D3 induced differentiation of MEL cells in culture as determined by elevated hemoglobin content, a rise in the number of benzidine-positive cells and increase in acetylcholine esterase activity. The optimum concentration of the vitamin required to induce differentiation of MEL cells was found to be 750 nM. The pattern of induction of differentiation was similar to that observed with DMSO and the induction of differentiation by vitamin D3 was inhibited by dexamethasone.