[Induction of differentiation of human T-cell leukemic cell line (CEM) by phorbol ester]

In the present study, we investigated the effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on induction of differentiation of human T-cell leukemic cell line (CEM). The results showed that uninduced cells were T1+, T4+, T9+, T10+, T3- and TcR-, representing thymus stage II differentiation. When culturing in vitro with PMA for 5 to 7 days, CEM cells expressed mature T-cell marker (T3) whereas the percentage of cells expressing proliferation-association antigen (T9) was markedly decreased. In addition, PMA could significantly inhibit the growth of CEM cells. We also found that after co-culture with PMA for 2 to 3 days, CEM cells showed distinct morphologic changes. These findings indicate that PMA may induce CEM cells to differentiate towards mature stage.