The molecular mechanisms of As_2O_3- induced un-terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells

To approach the effect of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) on un-terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells after treatment with Arsenic Trioxide ( As_2O_3) . Methods The changes of cell morphology were observed by Wright staining, the alteration in the cell proliferation was determined by WST1 experiment and the NBT reduction assay was used to detect the differentiation condition of cells, determination and analysis cell cycle. The expressions of C/EBPα and C/EBPe mRNA in HL-60 cells exposed to ATRA and As_2O_3 were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results It was found that ATRA could up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBPe obviously, but down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBPα. As_2O_3 could up-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBPe lightly, down-regulate the expression of C/EBPα. Conclusion Both of ATRA and As_2O_3 can down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBPα,but there is no significant difference between these two groups,ATRA and As2O3 can up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBPe, with significant differences (P 0.05). As_2O_3 induces un-terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells possibly duo to not up-regulating of C/EBPe expression obviously.