Expression of platelet membrane glycoproteins and alpha-granule proteins by a human erythroleukemia cell line (HEL).

Abstract

We demonstrate that HEL, a human erythroleukemic cell line, has numerous megakaryocytic markers which were markedly enhanced following the addition of the inducers dimethyl sulfoxide or 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate to the culture medium. Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies showed: (i) the presence of organelles morphologically resembling the platelet alpha‐granules; and (ii) a peroxidase activity with the same characteristics as that specifically found in platelets. The platelet alpha‐granule proteins (von Willebrand factor, platelet factor‐4 and beta‐thromboglobulin) were immunologically detected in the HEL cell cytoplasm and their amounts increased after induction. Of particular interest was the presence of platelet membrane proteins. A monoclonal antibody specific for glycoprotein Ib bound to HEL cells. Platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb and IIIa were identified on intact cells using specific antibodies in a binding assay or in cell lysates using either crossed immunoelectrophoresis or an immunoblotting procedure following SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Most HEL cells also expressed the platelet alloantigen PIA1. All of the platelet membrane proteins were present in higher amounts after induction. Glycophorin A, specific for the erythroid lineage, was also detected on HEL cells. Thus, while confirming the presence of erythroid markers, our studies provide evidence that the HEL cell line also expresses platelet antigens. As such, HEL cells represent a unique system with which to study the biosynthesis of platelet‐specific proteins and glycoproteins.

Induction of prostacyclin receptor expression in human erythroleukemia cells

“…It has previously been reported that treatment of HEL cells with phorbol esters induces a dramatic macrophage-like shift in the phenotype of these ceils [11]. This shift has been shown to be associated with the increased expression of several platelet proteins, for example glycoproteins IIb and Illa, platelet factor 4 [6] and more recently the thromboxane A2 receptor [12]. We investigated the regulation of expression of the PGI2 receptor by the phorbol ester, TPA.…”

“…However, a human erythroleukemia (HEL) cell line has been established which expresses several megakaryocytic markers of differentiation. It has also been observed that the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induces the expression of various megakaryocyte/platelet markers in HEL cells [6].…”

Ribozyme-mediated suppression of platelet type 12 lipoxygenase in human erythroleukemia cells

“…The Rz effect on 12-LOX was examined in a human erythroleukemia (HEL) cell line that displays platelet-like characteristics. 17 The results demonstrate that the Rz can significantly down-regulate the 12-LOX mRNA and inhibit the enzyme activity by 85%. These results provide (a) a basis for further development of Rz-based gene therapy for cancers and cardiovascular diseases and (b) a tool to study the role of 12-LOX in tumor angiogenesis.…”

IL‐13 upregulates GPIIb expression in megakaryocytic cell lines via STAT6

“…HEL is also a cell line derived from a patient with erythroleukemia (Martin and Papayannopoulou, 1982), that coexpresses differentiation markers for both erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages (Martin and Papayannopoulou, 1982;Tabilio et al, 1984;Kieffer et al,1986). HEL cells can undergo further differentiation along various hematopoietic pathways depending on the stimulus (Tabilio et al, 1984;Long et al, 1988Long et al, , 1990.…”

“…HEL cells can undergo further differentiation along various hematopoietic pathways depending on the stimulus (Tabilio et al, 1984;Long et al, 1988Long et al, , 1990. In recent years, HEL cells have been increasingly used as model system to study molecular aspects of the induction of megakaryocyte differentiation (Hong et al, 1996).…”