Myeloid differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by anti-tumor drug 3-nitrobenzothiazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium

Differentiation induction of human leukemia cells (HL60) by a combination of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and retinoic acid (all trans or 9-cis)

1,25(OH)2D3 and two stereoisomers of retinoic acid, all trans and 9-cis retinoic acid, are regulators of cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combination of 1,25(OH)2D3 and retinoic acid (all trans or 9-cis) on proliferation and cell differentiation of the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL60, and to test the reversibility of the induced differentiation. Cell proliferation was inhibited as expected by 1,25(OH)2D3 and all trans retinoic acid alone (IC50 of cell survival was 4 x 10(-7) M, 9 x 10(-6) M and 9 x 10(-7) M for 1,25(OH)2D3, all trans and 9-cis retinoic acid, respectively). Combination of 1,25(OH)2D3 and either form of retinoic acid resulted in a partially additive decrease in cell proliferation. 1,25(OH)2D3 induced a monocytic differentiation (100% CD14+ cells with 10(-7) M 1,25(OH)2D3), while retinoic acid led to a predominantly granulocytic differentiation (36 and 42% CD67+ cells with 10(-6) M all trans and 9-cis retinoic acid, respectively). Additive effects on differentiation were observed upon combination of subtherapeutical doses of the drugs, achieving a mainly monocytic population, demonstrating the dominant role of 1,25(OH)2D3 in determining the direction of differentiation. The effects on proliferation and differentiation of the solitary drugs were reversible, while the proliferation arrest and differentiation induced by the combination persisted and even progressed after withdrawal of the drugs. We conclude that 1,25(OH)2D3 and retinoic acid (all trans or 9-cis) exert additive effects on inhibition of proliferation and induction of cell differentiation of HL60 cells, leading to a persistent differentiation, even after drug withdrawal.

Effects of 3-nitrobenzothiazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium chloride (NBQ) and doxorubicin on lens regeneration in the adult newt: a morphological study

The antitumor drug 3-nitrobenzothiazolo [3,2-a] quinolinium chloride (NBQ) stimulates the in vivo lens regeneration in the adult newt Notophthalmus viridescens and induces a differentiated state in HL-60 leukemia cells. Because the cytotoxic drug doxorubicin (Adriamycin) induces differentiation of HL-60 cells in vitro we decided to compare the effect(s) of doxorubicin with NBQ on lens regeneration in vivo. Both drugs were injected intraperitoneally at six different schedules. Morphological criteria of the different regeneration stages were used in the analysis of the regenerates. NBQ stimulated lens regeneration independently of the time intervals and the stage of regeneration at which the drug was administered. There was an increase in the mean number of mitoses suggesting that NBQ stimulated cell proliferation. Doxorubicin administered for five days did not modify the regenerative process. On the other hand, doxorubicin given for periods of nine or more days after lentectomy, strongly inhibited the formation of a new lens. Thus, the inhibitory effect of doxorubicin is dependent on the continuous long term contact with the tissue. Although NBQ and doxorubicin are both DNA intercalators, they induced the effects on lens regeneration through different mechanisms.