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

Eur J Pharmacol. 2005 Mar 28;511(2-3):89-97. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.02.008.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine / pharmacology
  • Alkaloids
  • Androstadienes / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Benzophenanthridines
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chromones / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Lactones / pharmacology
  • Maleimides / pharmacology
  • Models, Biological
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phenanthridines / pharmacology
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Sesquiterpenes, Guaiane
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Wortmannin
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Androstadienes
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Benzophenanthridines
  • Chromones
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • Indoles
  • Lactones
  • Maleimides
  • Morpholines
  • NF-kappa B
  • Phenanthridines
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • Sesquiterpenes, Guaiane
  • 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
  • helenalin
  • 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine
  • chelerythrine
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • bisindolylmaleimide I
  • 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
  • Wortmannin