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A new erythroblastic leukemia cell line revealed

10-14-2006

A study from Japan has reported on phosphatidylglucoside-mediated erythroid differentiation and apoptosis in a new erythroblastic leukemia cell line (EEB).

"A new EEB was established from a patient with early erythroblastic leukemia. The cells had features of immature erythroblasts, including an agranular basophilic cytoplasm and CD36, CD71, CD175s (sialyl-Tn) and CD235a (glycophorin A) expression without CD41 expression, myeloperoxidase activity and platelet-peroxidase activity," wrote C. Kawano-Yamamoto and colleagues, Jichi Medical School.

"The cells were confirmed to be of the erythroid lineage based on expression of the gamma-globin message. They were induced to differentiate into benzidine-positive cells by hemin and delta-amino levulinic acid (delta-ALA). An analysis of cell membrane lipids showed that EEB cells contain a type of glycerolipid, phosphatidylglucose (PhGlc), but not unbranched type 2 chains.

"GL-7 which is a recombinant Fab fragment of GL-2 and binds to PhGlc, induced production of hemoglobin F (HbF) associated with accumulation of the gamma-globin (gamma-globin) message in EEB cells. The GL-7-mediated erythroid differentiation was associated with apoptosis," the scientists wrote.

The researchers concluded, "These results suggest that direct signaling to PhGlc mediates erythroid differentiation and apoptosis in EEB cells."

Kawano-Yamamoto and colleagues published their study in Leukemia Research (Establishment and characterization of a new erythroblastic leukemia cell line, EEB: Phosphatidylglucoside-mediated erythroid differentiation and apoptosis. Leuk Res, 2006;30(7):829-839).

For additional information, contact K. Muroi, Jichi Medical School, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Minami Kawachi, Tochigi 3290498, Japan.

The publisher of the journal Leukemia Research can be contacted at: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.

Keywords: Tochigi, Japan, Apoptosis, Cell Differentiation, Erythroid Cell Lines, Glycosphingolipids, Leukemia Cells, Microdomains, Phosphatidylglycoside.

This article was prepared by Hematology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Hematology Week via NewsRx.com.