Induction of human leukemia HL-60 cell differentiation via a PKC/ERK pathway by helenalin, a pseudoguainolide sesquiterpene lactone.

Helenalin, a cell-permeable pseudoguainolide sesquiterpene lactone, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) DNA binding activity. In this report, we investigated the effect of helenalin on cellular differentiation in the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell culture system. Helenalin by itself markedly induced HL-60 cell differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner. Cytofluorometric analysis and cell morphologic studies indicated that helenalin induced cell differentiation predominantly into granulocytes. Protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitors significantly inhibited HL-60 cell differentiation induced by helenalin, while p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors did not. Moreover, helenalin enhanced PKC activity and protein level of PKC beta I and PKC beta II isoforms, and also increased the level of pERK in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the enhanced levels of cell differentiation closely correlated with the decreased levels of NF-kappa B binding activity by helenalin. These results indicate that PKC, ERK, and NF-kappa B may be involved in HL-60 cell differentiation induced by helenalin.