Aberrant DNA methylation is the most frequent molecular alteration in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To identify methylation-silenced genes in AML, we performed microarray analyses in U937 cells exposed to the demethylating agent 5-azadeoxy-cytidine. Overall, 274 transcripts were significantly induced. Interestingly, C/EBP expression was significantly induced (more than 10-fold) by demethylation...

Epidemiologic studies support the premise that Allium vegetables may lower the risk of cancers. The beneficial effects appear related to the organosulfur products generated upon processing of Allium. Leukemia cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) display high proliferative capacity and have a reduced capacity of undergoing apoptosis and maturation. Whether the sulfur-containing ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induces growth arrest and apoptosis in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) cells. Since cellular redox state regulates these events, we were interested in studying whether it has any role in the responsiveness of AML cells to ATRA. DESIGN AND METHODS Two human AML cell lines, the ATRA-sensitive OU-AML-3, and the ATRA-resistant OU-AML-7, we...

Standard chemotherapy is not curative for many patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). New treatment strategies combining demethylating agents, such as decitabine, and drugs that induce myelomonocytic differentiation (i.e. Vitamin D3) may re-establish functional hematopoiesis in these patients. We studied the effects of decitabine alone or in combination with Vitamin D3 (VD3) on U937 cells ...

BACKGROUND Previous studies demonstrated Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GL-PS), a form of bioactive beta-glucan can stimulate the maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC). The question of how leukemic cells especially in monocytic lineage respond to GL-PS stimuli remains unclear. RESULTS In this study, we used in vitro culture model with leukemic monocytic cell-lines THP-1 and ...

Effects of human fibroblast (beta) or leukocyte (alpha) interferon (IFN) on differentiations of a human histiocytic lymphoma-derived cell line (U937) or promyelocytic leukemia-derived cell line (HL-60) were studied. When cultured with beta-IFN (400-1,000 U/ml), U937 cells showed gross morphologic and microscopic changes consisting of clumping, increased cytoplasmic-to-nuclear ratio, enhanced pr...

We report that Xenopus laevis oocytes can efficiently translate and insert heterologous membrane receptors into the oocyte plasma membrane, where they can be detected by the binding of either monoclonal antibodies or ligands. Thus, oocytes injected with mRNA from the mouse J774 macrophage-like cell line, the rat RBL-1 basophilic leukemia, and the U937 promonocyte cell line, bound 2.4G2 Fab, rat...

Epigenetic modifying enzymes have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methylation of lysine 9 on histone H3 by the methyltransferase G9a and SUV39H1 is associated with inhibition of tumor suppressor genes. We studied the effect of G9a and SUV39H1 inhibitors on viability and differentiation of AML cells and tested the cytotoxicity induced by combination of G9a and...

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells are relatively resistant to tumor necrosis factor alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). We previously reported that triptolide, a potent anticancer agent from a Chinese herb, decreases XIAP in leukemic cells. We evaluated the combination of triptolide and TRAIL and found synergistic promotion of apoptosis in AML cells. XIAP-overexpressing U937 cells...