Induction of differentiation of the human leukemia cell line, KU812

Leuk Res. 1987;11(12):1105-13. doi: 10.1016/0145-2126(87)90164-0.

Abstract

We treated KU812 cells from different passage levels with compounds which induce differentiation of other leukemic cell lines. Early passages contained small subpopulations of basophil and erythrocyte-like cells, but later passages consisted of more uniform cells with a myelomonocytic phenotype. When cultured with 1 nM actinomycin D, the cells became nonproliferative, developed pale cytoplasm and segmented nuclei, and lost nonspecific esterase activity. Thus, KU812 cells can be induced to mature to cells with a myelomonocytic phenotype. However, their expression of previously reported basophil characteristics diminishes with continued passage, and may be a capability of only a subpopulation of the cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Line
  • Histamine / analysis
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / pathology*
  • Phenotype
  • Rosette Formation
  • Thioguanine / pharmacology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects

Substances

  • Histamine
  • Thioguanine