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Conversion of differentiation inducer resistance to differentiation inducer sensitivity in erythroleukemia cells.

Hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) is a potent inducer of differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells (MELC). Commitment, the irreversible initiation of the program of terminal-cell differentiation, is first detected in HMBA-sensitive DS19-SC9 MELC in culture after 10 to 12 h of exposure to HMBA. Vincristine (VC)-resistant MELC derived from the DS19-SC9 MELC line display increased sensitivity to HMBA and become committed with little or no latent period. In the present study, we showed that the MELC line R1, which is resistant to HMBA-mediated differentiation, became sensitive to inducer if selected for a low level of VC resistance (less than 10 ng of VC per ml). Four independently derived VC-resistant cell lines from HMBA-resistant R1 cells, designated R1[VCR]a to R1[VCR]d, acquired sensitivity to HMBA and the accelerated kinetics of commitment that are characteristic of VC-resistant MELC derived from the parental DS19-SC9 cells. The calcium channel blocker verapamil suppresses the VC resistance of R1[VCR] cells but does not alter the accelerated response to HMBA. In R1[VCR] cells there was no detectable increase in the level of the 140-kilodalton P-glycoprotein. Transient inhibition of protein synthesis during the latent period delays inducer-mediated commitment of VC-sensitive DS19-SC9 MELC but does not alter the accelerated commitment kinetics of R1[VCR]a cells. Previously, we have reported evidence that protein kinase C beta (PKC beta) plays a role in HMBA-induced MELC differentiation and that compared with DS19-SC9 cells, R1 cells have a relatively low level and R1[VCR]a cells have a high level of PKC beta. These findings suggest that (i) acquisition of VC resistance overcomes the block acquired by R1 cells to HMBA-mediated differentiation; (ii) the accelerated kinetics of HMBA-induced commitment of VC-resistant MELC is not dependent on the verapamil-sensitive transport channel that is responsible, at least in part, for resistance to VC; (iii) in VC-resistant MELC, there is constitutive expression or accumulation of a protein required for HMBA-induced differentiation; and (iv) an elevated level of PKC beta activity may play a role in the altered response of R1[VCR] and other VC-resistant MELC to HMBA.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Constitutive c-myb expression in K562 cells inhibits induced erythroid differentiation but not tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate-induced megakaryocytic differentiation.

K562 cells were stably transfected with a plasmid vector constitutively expressing a full-length human c-myb gene. Parental cells possess the dual potential of inducibility of cellular differentiation along two lineages, i.e., erythroid and megakaryocytic. The resulting lineage is dependent on the inducing agent, with a number of compounds being competent to various degrees for inducing erythroid differentiation, while the tumor promoter tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) induces a macrophage-like morphology with enhanced expression of proteins associated with megakaryocytes. Exogeneous expression of c-myb in transfected cell lines abrogated erythroid differentiation induced by cadaverine or cytosine arabinoside as assessed by hemoglobin production. However, TPA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation was left intact, as assessed by cell morphology, cytochemical staining, and the expression of the megakaryocytic antigens. These results indicate that c-Myb and protein kinase C play important roles in cellular differentiation of K562 cells and suggest that agents which directly modulate protein kinase C can induce differentiation in spite of constitutively high levels of c-Myb.

Base Sequence↗

Differentiation-induced internal translation of c-sis mRNA: analysis of the cis elements and their differentiation-linked binding to the hnRNP C protein.

In previous reports we showed that the long 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of c-sis, the gene encoding the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor, has translational modulating activity due to its differentiation-activated internal ribosomal entry site (D-IRES). Here we show that the 5' UTR contains three regions with a computer-predicted Y-shaped structure upstream of an AUG codon, each of which can confer some degree of internal translation by itself. In nondifferentiated cells, the entire 5' UTR is required for maximal basal IRES activity. The elements required for the differentiation-sensing ability (i.e., D-IRES) were mapped to a 630-nucleotide fragment within the central portion of the 5' UTR. Even though the region responsible for IRES activation is smaller, the full-length 5' UTR is capable of mediating the maximal translation efficiency in differentiated cells, since only the entire 5' UTR is able to confer the maximal basal IRES activity. Interestingly, a 43-kDa protein, identified as hnRNP C, binds in a differentiation-induced manner to the differentiation-sensing region. Using UV cross-linking experiments, we show that while hnRNP C is mainly a nuclear protein, its binding activity to the D-IRES is mostly nuclear in nondifferentiated cells, whereas in differentiated cells such binding activity is associated with the ribosomal fraction. Since the c-sis 5' UTR is a translational modulator in response to cellular changes, it seems that the large number of cross-talking structural entities and the interactions with regulated trans-acting factors are important for the strength of modulation in response to cellular changes. These characteristics may constitute the major difference between strong IRESs, such as those seen in some viruses, and IRESs that serve as translational modulators in response to developmental signals, such as that of c-sis.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Cell surface and Golgi pools of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase are differentially regulated during embryonal carcinoma cell differentiation.

beta-1,4-Galactosyltransferase (GalTase) has two functionally distinct subcellular distributions. In the Golgi apparatus, GalTase participates in the glycosylation of secretory and membrane-bound glycoproteins, whereas on the cell surface it mediates specific aspects of intercellular adhesion. For this study, a murine GalTase clone was obtained by screening a lambda gt10 cDNA library made from F9 embryonal carcinoma cells with a heterologous bovine GalTase cDNA probe. The murine GalTase cDNA probe was used in conjunction with assays of GalTase activity to investigate the expression and distribution of GalTase during differentiation of F9 stem cells into secretory endodermal epithelium. During the initial phase of F9 cell differentiation, GalTase mRNA levels remained relatively constant; however, as differentiation progressed, as assayed by expression of the differentiation-specific marker laminin B1, GalTase mRNA levels and enzyme activity rose dramatically. Furthermore, subcellular fractionation of these cells showed that the increased GalTase levels were specifically associated with the Golgi apparatus, whereas GalTase specific activity on the plasma membrane remained constant. These results show that levels of cell surface and Golgi GalTase change relative to one another during F9 cell differentiation and suggest that these functionally distinct pools of GalTase are independently and differentially regulated.

Blotting, Northern↗

Ethanol in clinically relevant concentrations enhances expression of oligodendroglial differentiation but has no effect on astrocytic differentiation or DNA synthesis in primary cultures.

Primary cultures of cerebral glia derived from newborn rat brain were utilized to evaluate the effects of ethanol on DNA synthesis and cellular differentiation. Glutamine synthetase was employed as a marker for astrocytic differentiation and 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP), for oligodendroglial differentiation. Concentrations of ethanol of 17-86 mM, i.e., a concentration range comparable to that observed in humans, were utilized. No effect of ethanol on DNA synthesis was observed, despite the use of synchronized cultures. Similarly, no effect of ethanol on the developmental increase of glutamine synthetase activity was seen, despite the use of astrocytes purified by the selective detachment technique and a prolonged duration of exposure to ethanol (17 days). In contrast, however, a striking enhancement of CNP activity was demonstrable in both mixed glial cultures and in oligodendroglia purified by the selective detachment technique. In the latter cells, the stimulatory effect of ethanol was evident within 9 days of exposure, and after 17 days of exposure, ethanol-treated cells exhibited a two-fold higher CNP activity than did control cells. This peak effect was observed at an ethanol concentration of only 17 mM. Thus, these data indicate that (1) clinically relevant concentrations of ethanol have no effect on either DNA synthesis or on at least one expression of astrocytic differentiation in glial primary cultures, but (2) these concentrations exert a striking enhancement of CNP activity, a marker of oligodendroglial differentiation. The findings have implications both for the effects of ethanol on the developing nervous system and the regulation of oligodendroglial differentiation.

2',3'-Cyclic Nucleotide 3'-Phosphodiesterase↗

Differential pp60c-src activity in well and poorly differentiated human colon carcinomas and cell lines.

The results presented in this report demonstrate increased pp60c-src kinase activity associated with moderate to well differentiated colon tumors, corroborating previous observations by other groups. Extension of this analysis to include a small number of poorly differentiated colon carcinomas revealed src kinase activity comparable to that observed in normal colonic mucosa, considerably less than that observed in moderate/well differentiated lesions. Correlations of src kinase activity with differentiation was confirmed within a panel of colon cell lines where increased activity, associated with moderate/well differentiated lines, was accompanied by increased expression of pp60c-src protein. Use of an antiphosphotyrosine antibody in immunoprecipitation revealed the presence of novel phosphotyrosyl cellular substrates in human colon cell lines displaying elevated pp60c-src kinase activity. These observations suggest a role for the src protooncogene in colonic differentiation pathways.

Cell Differentiation↗

Cocaine differentially inhibits neuronal differentiation and proliferation in vitro.

The outcome of in utero cocaine exposure is unclear. To determine if cocaine affects neuronal growth and differentiation, we used PC-12 cells, which have a mitogenic response to IGF-I and differentiate into neurons on exposure to nerve growth factor. Differentiation was quantified as neurite extension after a 72-h exposure to 20 ng/ml nerve growth factor (dosage at 50% maximal effectiveness) and cocaine doses ranging from 0.01 to 10 micrograms/ml. The results were 49 +/- 2, 40 +/- 3, 29 +/- 2, 23 +/- 2, and 12 +/- 2% differentiation with respective cocaine concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 micrograms/ml (P < 0.0001). Cocaine stability studies showed insignificant spontaneous hydrolysis under the conditions of this study. Cocaine did not affect cell viability or number, but had a relatively modest, statistically significant (P < 0.001) inhibitory effect on IGF-I-stimulated thymidine incorporation. The dose-response curves for differentiation vs mitogenic response differed significantly (P = 0.021). Therefore, cocaine inhibition of these processes is probably mediated by different mechanisms, and not caused by generalized toxicity. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of cocaine effects on neuronal multiplication and differentiation in vitro. The results suggest in utero exposure may directly impair brain development.

Animals↗

Transcriptional regulation of myeloid differentiation primary response (MyD) genes during myeloid differentiation is mediated by nuclear factor Y.

To understand the molecular mechanism by which interleukin-6 (IL-6) regulates myeloid differentiation primary response (MyD) genes at the onset of M1 myeloid differentiation, we used JunB as a representative MyD gene to isolate and characterize IL-6 responsive elements. An IL-6 responsive element was localized between -65 and -52 of the JunB promoter (-65/-52 IL-6RE). By using antibody and oligonucleotide competition assays in electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments, we have shown that the heterotrimeric transcription nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) complex binds to this element. A dominant-negative form of NF-YA, ectopically expressed in M1 cells, blocked NF-Y binding to the -65/-52 IL-6RE and reduced induction of JunB by IL-6. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-Y binding also reduced MyD gene induction by IL-6 and dampened the IL-6-induced M1 differentiation program. These findings are consistent with the observation that most MyD genes contain intact NF-Y binding motifs in their promoter regions. In contrast to M1 cells, during myeloid differentiation of bone marrow (BM), there was induction of NF-Y binding to the -65/-52 IL-6RE. This induced binding can be attributed to the observed induction of NF-YA protein expression and may reflect the molecular mechanism that couples proliferation to terminal differentiation of normal myeloblasts. Similar to M1 cells, blocking NF-Y binding in BM resulted in a reduction in mature macrophages. It can be concluded that NF-Y plays a role in the transcriptional regulation of MyD genes and is required for optimum myeloid differentiation.

Animals↗

Sex steroids and growth factors differentially regulate the growth and differentiation of cultured human endometrial stromal cells.

We have studied the interaction between growth factors and sex steroids in regulating human endometrial stromal cell growth and differentiation using an in vitro serum-free cell culture model system. None of the growth factors [epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-II, or platelet-derived growth factor] stimulated the growth of human endometrial stromal cells grown in progestin-free medium. However, the growth of progestin-treated cultures was dramatically increased by EGF, bFGF, or platelet-derived growth factor, but not by insulin, IGF-I, or IGF-II. Estrogen could not substitute for progesterone in this protocol, and coadministration of estrogen with progestin did not enhance the response over that to progesterone alone. In contrast to their positive effects on growth, only EGF, not bFGF, stimulated stromal cell differentiation, as measured by an increase in PRL, laminin, and fibronectin production; moreover, stimulation of differentiation was dependent upon the presence of progestin in the culture medium. Thus, human endometrial stromal cell growth is 1) regulated by a discrete set of growth factors, only a subset of which regulates stromal cell differentiation; and 2) regulation of stromal cell growth and stromal cell differentiation by growth factors is progestin dependent. Our results provide direct evidence for interaction between growth factors and sex steroids in the regulation of stromal cell growth and differentiation in vitro and suggest that growth factors may be absolutely required in conjunction with progesterone for the decidual response in vivo.

Cell Differentiation↗

The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in male reproductive tract differentiation: stimulation of EGFR expression and inhibition of Wolffian duct differentiation with anti-EGFR antibody.

We have shown previously that epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a role in testosterone-dependent fetal Wolffian duct differentiation. To assess the role of EGF further, we examined EGF receptor (EGFR) expression during Wolffian duct differentiation and determined whether inhibition of EGFR results in inhibition of Wolffian duct differentiation. Using a polyclonal anti-EGFR antibody in the Western blot analysis, we have detected an immunoreactive band at the expected 180-kDa size, the molecular size for the EGFR protein, in the 18-day fetal male reproductive tract. The mouse 3T3 cell line, used as a positive control, also produced an immunospecific band at the same region. The intensity of the immunoreactive 180-kDa band in the 18-day male reproductive tract significantly decreased after pretreatment of the antibody with the 3T3 cell extract. Nonimmune serum produced no band at the 180- kDa region, suggesting EGFR specificity of the 180-kDa band. The level of the 180-kDa EGFR protein was found to be higher in the 18-day male than in the female reproductive tract. Testosterone increased expression of the EGFR level in the 18-day masculinized female reproductive tract, and it induced Wolffian duct morphogenesis. Under in vitro culture conditions, the anti-EGFR antibody prevented Wolffian duct differentiation, induced by the fetal testis, suggesting a direct role of EGFR in male reproductive tract differentiation. No such effect was found when tested with nonimmune serum. Anti-EGFR also blocked the development of the Wolffian duct in the female explant, induced by exogenous EGF. Thus, a role of EGFR mediating the effect of EGF during male reproductive tract differentiation is demonstrated.

Animals↗

A novel potent antagonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma blocks adipocyte differentiation but does not revert the phenotype of terminally differentiated adipocytes.

The antidiabetic thiazolidinediones, which include troglitazone and rosiglitazone, are ligands for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma). Their antihyperglycemic effects seem to be linked to the regulation of PPARgamma-responsive genes. Here, we report the characterization of a specific PPARgamma antagonist that blocks several of the biological activities of the PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone. PD068235 inhibited rosiglitazone-dependent PPARgamma transcriptional activity with an IC(50) of 0.8 microM and rosiglitazone-stimulated in vitro coactivator association. The role of PPARgamma in the initiation of differentiation is well documented. In this study, we used PD068235 as a tool to evaluate the functional role of PPARgamma in the maintenance of the terminally differentiated state. Treatment of confluent, growth-arrested 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with PD068235 blocked adipocyte differentiation induced by the standard adipogenic hormonal mixture (insulin/dexamethasone/isobutylmethylxanthin) and fully antagonized rosiglitazone-induced adipogenesis. In contrast, long-term treatment of terminally differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes with PD068235 did not induce any obvious morphological changes and had no effect on basal lipolysis rates. In addition, in fully differentiated adipocytes PD068235 did not alter the basal expression of PPARgamma target genes aP2 and CAP, but it effectively blocked rosiglitazone-induced expression of both genes. These results suggest that in terminally differentiated adipocytes, the PPARgamma activity is minimal and may not be required for the maintenance of PPARgamma target gene expression.

3T3 Cells↗

Mammary epithelial cells undergo secretory differentiation in cycling virgins but require pregnancy for the establishment of terminal differentiation.

Postnatal development of the mammary gland begins during puberty with ductal proliferation and is completed at delivery with the appearance of secretory alveolar structures. Using endogenous milk protein genes and a WAP-lacZ reporter transgene, we show that the differentiation of alveolar cells is initiated in virgin mice in estrus in a limited number of cells. With the onset of pregnancy, the number of expressing cells and the cellular expression levels increase until full activity is reached at lactation. Milk protein genes are activated in a defined temporal sequence. WDNM1 and beta-casein are expressed early in pregnancy and increase during alveolar proliferation. WAP (whey acidic protein) and alpha-lactalbumin are expressed later near the end of gestation, which is characterized by terminal differentiation of the mammary secretory phenotype. By in situ hybridization, we have established evidence for asynchrony in milk protein gene expression among alveolar cells showing large variations in the intensity of hybridization among adjacent cells. The asynchrony of maturation of epithelial cells within a given alveolus suggests that the genetic program leading to terminal differentiation is subject to local modulation. It is likely that these signals are manifest through various pathways including growth factors, the extracellular matrix or gene products specific to terminal differentiation such as WAP. We extended our analyses to WAP/WAP transgenic mice in which WAP is synthesized precociously and functional differentiation of alveolar cells is impaired. We found an altered expression pattern of milk protein genes, with a strong reduction of alpha-lactalbumin RNA. We conclude that the early production of WAP in WAP/WAP mammary glands disrupts the timing of gene activation leading to a premature termination of the differentiative program.

Animals↗

Inhibition of cadherin function differentially affects markers of terminal differentiation in cultured human keratinocytes.

Cadherin function is required for normal keratinocyte intercellular adhesion and stratification. In the present study, we have investigated whether cadherin-cadherin interactions may also modulate keratinocyte differentiation, as evidenced by alterations in the levels of several differentiation markers. Confluent keratinocyte cultures, propagated in low Ca(2+) medium in which cadherins are not active, were pre-incubated with antibodies that block the function of E-cadherin and/or P-cadherin; Ca(2+ )was then elevated to 1 mM to activate the cadherins and induce differentiation. In control cultures (incubated with no antibody or with antibodies to other cell surface molecules), Ca(2+) elevation induced an increase in type 1 transglutaminase, profilaggrin, and loricrin, as measured by western blotting and in agreement with previous results. However, the concurrent addition of antibodies against both E- and P-cadherin prevented this increase in transglutaminase 1 protein. Incubation with either antibody alone had no consistent effect. Profilaggrin and loricrin, which are later markers of keratinocyte differentiation, responded differently from transglutaminase 1 to addition of antibodies. In the presence of anti-E-cadherin antibody, both loricrin and profilaggrin levels were dramatically enhanced compared to the high Ca(2+) control cells, while addition of antibody to P-cadherin slightly attenuated the Ca(2+)-induced increase. In the presence of both antibodies, loricrin and profilaggrin protein levels were intermediate between those observed in the presence of either antibody alone. The expression of involucrin, however, was unaffected by addition of antibodies. In addition, effects of the anti-cadherin antibodies were not secondary to alterations in proliferation or programmed cell death, as determined by several independent assays of these processes. Thus, the consequences of cadherin inhibition depend upon both the particular cadherin and the differentiation marker under study. Taken together, these data suggest that E-cadherin and P-cadherin contribute to the orderly progression of terminal differentiation in the epidermis in multiple ways.

Apoptosis↗

Differential expression of human lysyl hydroxylase genes, lysine hydroxylation, and cross-linking of type I collagen during osteoblastic differentiation in vitro.

The pattern of lysyl hydroxylation in the nontriple helical domains of collagen is critical in determining the cross-linking pathways that are tissue specific. We hypothesized that the tissue specificity of type I collagen cross-linking is, in part, due to the differential expression of lysyl hydroxylase genes (Procollagen-lysine,2-oxyglutarate,5-dioxygenase 1, 2, and 3 [PLOD1, PLOD2, and PLOD3]). In this study, we have examined the expression patterns of these three genes during the course of in vitro differentiation of human osteoprogenitor cells (bone marrow stromal cells [BMSCs]) and normal skin fibroblasts (NSFs). In addition, using the medium and cell layer/matrix fractions in these cultures, lysine hydroxylation of type I collagen alpha chains and collagen cross-linking chemistries have been characterized. High levels of PLOD1 and PLOD3 genes were expressed in both BMSCs and NSFs, and the expression levels did not change in the course of differentiation. In contrast to the PLOD1 and PLOD3 genes, both cell types showed low PLOD2 gene expression in undifferentiated and early differentiated conditions. However, fully differentiated BMSCs, but not NSFs, exhibited a significantly elevated level (6-fold increase) of PLOD2 mRNA. This increase coincided with the onset of matrix mineralization and with the increase in lysyl hydroxylation in the nontriple helical domains of alpha chains of type I collagen molecule. Furthermore, the collagen cross-links that are derived from the nontriple helical hydroxylysine-aldehyde were found only in fully differentiated BMSC cultures. The data suggests that PLOD2 expression is associated with lysine hydroxylation in the nontriple helical domains of collagen and, thus, could be partially responsible for the tissue-specific collagen cross-linking pattern.

Adolescent↗

Differential effects of epidermal growth factor on the differentiation of type A spermatogonia in adult mouse cryptorchid testes in vitro.

The effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on testicular germ cell differentiation was investigated. Testicular fragments from surgically prepared cryptorchid testes of adult mice were cultured for 9 days in serum-free media containing various concentrations of EGF. Histological sections of testis were examined under a light microscope and each type of germ cell and mitotic cell in the seminiferous tubules was counted per 1000 Sertoli cells. EGF at concentrations ranging from 100 to 200 ng/ml induced differentiation of type A spermatogonia. The observed maximal stimulatory activity of EGF at a concentration of 100 ng/ml was 30% of the positive control cultures treated with calf serum. EGF at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 ng/ml significantly inhibited the mitotic activity of FSH, FSH plus retinol, or FSH plus fetuin on type A spermatogonia and their differentiation. The number of type A spermatogonia in testes cultured with FSH, FSH plus retinol, or FSH plus fetuin decreased when EGF was added. On the other hand, EGF stimulated the differentiation of type A spermatogonia induced with fetuin but did not influence retinol-induced differentiation. It is proposed that EGF inhibits testicular germ cell differentiation by blocking the proliferation of type A spermatogonia stimulated by FSH.

Animals↗

The G972R variant of the insulin receptor substrate-1 gene impairs insulin signaling and cell differentiation in 3T3L1 adipocytes; treatment with a PPARgamma agonist restores normal cell signaling and differentiation.

The insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) plays a central role in insulin sensitivity, and association studies have shown that the IRS-1 G972R variant is a risk factor for insulin resistance. However, how this mutation may lead to impaired insulin sensitivity is still to be determined. Our study aimed to evaluate, after transfection of the IRS-1 G972R variant in 3T3L1 adipocytes, the effect of this mutation on insulin signaling and on cell differentiation. The 3T3L1 cells were transfected with pcDNA3 expression vector containing either the human wild-type IRS-1 or the G972R variant. After induction of differentiation, the 3T3L1 transfected with wild-type IRS-1 differentiated in 6-8 days, while the cells transfected with G972R variant did not differentiate. To determine whether the defect in IRS-1 was responsible for this, we analyzed the expression of several genes involved in the insulin signaling pathway. Results showed that PPARgamma expression was significantly reduced in cells transfected with the mutated IRS-1, together with a significant decrease in binding of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI 3-kinase) to IRS-1 G972R and in PI 3-kinase activity. In addition, we observed that the interaction between the insulin receptor (IR) and the IRS-1 G972R protein was increased and that the autophosphorylation of the IR was significantly inhibited in 3T3L1-G972R cells compared with 3T3L1-WT. Treatment of the 3T3L1-G972R cells with pioglitazone (PIO), a PPARgamma agonist, restored differentiation with higher level of PPARgamma expression and restoration of PI 3-kinase binding to IRS-1 G972R and PI 3-kinase activity. IR autophosphorylation was also increased. Withdrawal of PIO in fully differentiated 3T3L1-G972R cells determined the reappearance of the insulin signaling defect. Finally, we observed higher levels of IRS-2 expression, suggesting that IRS-2 may play a more important role in adipocyte insulin signaling. In conclusion, IRS-1 G972R variant impairs insulin signaling, and treatment with PPARgamma agonist restores the normal phenotype of 3T3L1 cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Pancreatic precursors and differentiated islet cell types from murine embryonic stem cells: an in vitro model to study islet differentiation.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiating in vitro reproduce many facets of early embryonic development, including the expression of developmentally regulated transcription factors and the differentiation of multipotent precursor cells. ES cells were evaluated for their ability to differentiate into pancreatic and islet lineage-restricted stages including pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1)-positive pancreatic precursor cells, early endocrine cell progenitors, and islet hormone-producing cells. Following growth and differentiation in nonselective medium containing serum, murine ES cells spontaneously differentiated into cells individually expressing each of the four major islet hormones: insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. PDX1 immunostaining cells appeared first, before hormone-positive cells had emerged. Hormone-positive cells appeared within focal clusters of cells coexpressing PDX1 and the nonclassical hormone markers peptide YY (YY) and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) in combination with the definitive hormones, characteristic of endocrine cells appearing during early pancreaticogenesis. This system allows the investigation of many facets of islet development since it promotes the appearance of the complete range of islet phenotypes and reproduces important developmental stages of normal islet cytodifferentiation in differentiating ES cell cultures.

Amyloid↗

Differential induction of interferon (IFN)-inducible protein 10 following differentiation of a monocyte, macrophage cell lineage is related to the changes of nuclear proteins bound to IFN stimulus response element and kappaB sites.

We examined chemokine gene expression following the differentiation of a monocyte, macrophage cell lineage. The human monoblastic cell line, U937 was differentiated to macrophages by the treatment with either phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), retinoic acid (RA), or vitamin D3 (VitD3). The gene expression of interferon (IFN)-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) (a CXC chemokine) was markedly augmented by the IFNgamma treatment in PMA- or RA-differentiated U937 cells, but only marginally in undifferentiated or VitD3-treated cells. In contrast, another inducible gene expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (a CC chemokine) and the activation of the transcriptional factor (FcRFgamma) bound to the gamma response region were similarly or less abundantly induced by IFNgamma treatment in PMA- or RA-differentiated U937 cells, indicating that increased IP-10 mRNA induction was not due to the augmented ability of the cells to respond to the presence of IFNgamma. Increased expression of IFNgamma-induced IP-10 mRNA following the differentiation of U937 cells was mediated largely by augmented transcriptional activity of the gene and was related to differentiation-dependent changes of the proteins bound to IFN stimulus response element (ISRE) and kB sites, suggesting that these nuclear proteins may determine the IP-10 mRNA inducibility by IFNgamma.

Base Sequence↗