Retinoic acid induced differentiation and commitment in HL-60 cells

Human leukemic HL-60 cells are an established model for studies of differentiation induction. Retinoic acid (RA), 2 x 10(-6) M, was used to induce terminal differentiation, assayed as nitroblue tetrazol reduction (NBT) and expression of monocytic surface antigens, which were detected by monoclonal antibody Leu M3. In addition, transferrin receptor expression and the number of S + G2 + M-phase cells were determined. With a 12-hr RA incubation, only a decrease of transferrin receptor expression was found, with no change in other parameters. At least 96 hr RA incubation was necessary to induce terminal differentiation, with most cells being positive for NBT and M3. Cells induced with RA for 12 hr and subsequently recultured in liquid culture gradually expressed the differentiated phenotype and lost transferrin receptor expression. The number of S + G2 + M-phase cells in the cultures decreased drastically. After 12 hr RA exposure and 120 hr reculture without RA, the differentiation profile was comparable to that of cells that had been induced with RA for 96 hr. In reculture for up to 120 hr there was no evidence of loss of viability or regrowth of possibly residual undifferentiated cells. From these studies, we conclude that HL-60 cells become committed to terminal differentiation after half a generation-time exposure to RA and remain committed for at least six generation times.