Expression of myeloid-specific antigens on two human erythroleukaemia cell lines, HEL and K562.

The cell-surface phenotype of the human erythroleukaemia cell line, HEL, was investigated using a panel of lineage-specific monoclonal antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence. Antigens specific for the erythroid, granulocytic and monocytic lineages were detected, but no lymphoid- or platelet-specific antigens were found. The data obtained for HEL were compared to findings for the K562 human erythroleukaemia cell line and considerable similarities were demonstrated between the phenotypes of the two. In particular it was noted that the majority of granulocyte/monocyte markers present on HEL were also present on K562. The occurrence on HEL of markers of several haemopoietic lineages would suggest an origin from the non-lymphopoietic multipotential stem-cell or CFU-GEMM.