Abstract

The HL60 cell line, derived from acute promyelocytic leukemia cells, can differentiate into neutrophil-like cell following DMSO treatment. Mobility of HL60, or DMSO-differentiated HL60 cells (≠HL60), requires surface expression of adhesion molecules and production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The aim of this study was to investigate in HL60 and ≠HL60 the effects of cell passaging (over 5 passages after delivery (P and P+5)) on i) surface expression of adhesion molecule CD11b, which is considered a neutrophil differentiation marker ii) MMP9 mRNA expression, protein release and zymographic activity and iii) cellular mobility. As expected, CD11b expression at both cell passages increased in ≠HL60 relative to undifferentiated HL60, but expression levels of this neutrophils marker did not change over 5 passages. MMP9 mRNA expression however, in basal conditions was increased in HL60 at P+5. At P+5 versus P, MMP9 protein levels, MMP9 zymographic activity and cellular mobility in HL60 and ≠HL60 were elevated. Stimulation by N-formyl-L-Methionyl-L-Leucyl-L-Phenylalanine had no effects on HL60, but raised MMP9 protein concentration and zymographic activity in ≠HL60. Since passage history is likely to also influence cellular functions other than MMP-related effects, it is important to carefully consider passage numbers when designing experiments.

Key words: Matrix metalloproteinases, mobility, cell passaging, HL60 cell line, DMSO-differentiation