Mechanisms of differentiation of U937 leukemic cells induced by GM-CSF and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3.

The human monoblast cell line, U937, was employed to elucidate early events associated with differentiation induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and 1,25-dihydroxy-Vitamin D3 (VD3). Exposure of cells to a combination of GM-CSF and VD3 resulted in an up-regulation of c-fos mRNA within 1 h and a marked down-regulation of c-myc mRNA by 24 h and this was associated with a shift of cell population from the S phase to the G0 + G1 phase of the cell cycle by 18%. This was followed by a marked enhancement of monocyte-associated cell surface antigens [OKM1 (CD11b), LeuM3 (CD14), M77.7], as determined by monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Functional characteristics such as nitroblue-tetrazolium reduction, alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase activity, and phagocytic capability occurred. Cells treated with GM-CSF or VD3 alone showed only minor changes. These results demonstrate a potent synergistic effect of GM-CSF and VD3 on induction of U937 differentiation. This differentiation was partially blocked by H7, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. Changes in c-myc and c-fos mRNA expressions and a shift in cell cycle were shown to be early events in this process.