DIFFERENTIATION-LINKED EXPRESSION OF CELL-SURFACE MARKERS ON HL-60 LEUKEMIC-CELLS

Abstract

The cell surface antigenic phenotype of HL-60, a human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line, was analyzed before and after maturation induction with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) using a panel of markers including a library of monoclonal antibodies and conventional antisera in conjunction with the fluorescence-activated cell sorter. HL-60 cells express granulocyte and leukocyte differentiation antigens but not antigens of the lymphoid, platelet and erythroid lineages. DMSO-induced morphological maturation was associated with a decrease in the proportion of cells in mitotic cycle, induction of C3d receptors, increased expression of granulocytic and leukocyte antigens and diminished expression of HLA-A,B,C and .beta.2-microglobulin determinants. HL-60 cells have no detectable expression of HLA-DR-associated determinants as assayed by rabbit anti-p28,33 monoclonal anti-HLA-DR (monomorphic determinant) and HLA-DRw typing alloantisera. The relationship of these changes in cell surface properties to normal granulocytic differentiation is discussed.