HL-60 Cells: Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Essentials
HL-60 is an immortal human leukemia cell line. It is widely used to study cancer biology and to explore the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. Moreover, it can also be used to understand different cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in leukemic cell proliferation and differentiation.
HL-60 cell line: Origin and general information
The HL-60 cell line serves as a crucial model in hematological research, offering profound insights into the nature and treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. This blog post delves into the origins and distinctive features of the HL-60 cell line, shedding light on its crucial role in medical research and therapeutic developments.
HL-60 was first established from the leukemic cells of a 36-year-old Caucasian female diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. This pioneering work was conducted by S.J. Collins and his team, marking a significant breakthrough as HL-60 was the first myeloid leukemia cell line to be successfully isolated and cultured in suspension. This achievement has facilitated numerous research opportunities in studying leukemia and other related diseases. In terms of physical characteristics, HL-60 cells exhibit a lymphoblastic morphology and are known to grow in suspension, appearing round in shape. The size of these cells varies, with diameters ranging from 9 to 25 μm, reflecting their heterogeneity. On a genomic level, the HL-60 cell line is predominantly pseudodiploid, with a modal chromosome number of 43. Interestingly, a small percentage (6.2%) of the cells demonstrate a 2S component, adding another layer of complexity to their genetic makeup [1].
Understanding these fundamental aspects of HL-60 cells not only enhances our knowledge of leukemia at the cellular level but also supports ongoing research efforts to uncover new treatment modalities. In the following sections, we will explore how the unique properties of the HL-60 cell line have contributed to significant advancements in medical research.
HL-60 cell culture information
HL-60 cell culturing is simple and easy. This section will familiarize you with basics such as What is the doubling time of the HL-60 cell line? Is HL-60 adherent or suspension culture? What is the seeding density of the HL-60 cell line? What medium is used for HL-60 growth?
|
Doubling time: |
The doubling time for HL-60 cells is approximately 36 to 48 hours. |
|
Adherent or in suspension: |
HL-60 cells grow as suspension cultures. |
|
Seeding density: |
These cells are seeded at 1 x 106 cells/ml density when subcultured and at 2 x 105 cells/ml when a new culture is started. |
|
Growth medium: |
RPMI 1640 growth medium added with 10 % FBS and 2.5 mM L-glutamine is used to culture HL-60 cells. The medium should be renewed 2 to 3 times per week. |
|
Growth conditions: |
HL-60 cells are grown in a humidified incubator at 37 °C temperature and 5 % CO2 supply. |
|
Storage: |
HL-60 cells are stored at below -150 °C temperature or in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen to keep a maximum number of cells viable. |
|
Freezing medium and process: |
CM-1 or CM-ACF freezing media are used for HL-60 cell freezing. A slow freezing method is preferred for the HL-60 cell freezing. |
|
Thawing process: |
Frozen vial of HL-60 cells is rapidly agitated in a water bath set at 37 °C temperature. Afterwards, cells are centrifuged to remove freezing media. New culture media is added, and cells are resuspended to dispense into a flask for growth. |
|
Biosafety level: |
Biosafety level 1 is recommended for handling HL-60 cultures. |
HL-60 cells: Advantages and disadvantages
Before working with any cell line, you might want to know about its advantages and drawbacks. This article section will cover a few pros and cons of using HL-60 cells.
Advantages
A few prominent advantages of the HL-60 cell line are:
- Versatility: HL-60 cells have the ability to differentiate into multiple cell types, including monocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes, under appropriate growth conditions. This makes them useful for studying cellular differentiation and other cell processes.
- Easy to culture: HL-60 cells are easy to grow and maintain in suspension cultures, making them a convenient tool for studying multiple cell processes.
- In vitro model of leukemia: These cells were obtained from a patient with acute myeloid leukemia, and thus have genetic and molecular characteristics similar to the disease.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of the HL-60 cell line are:
- Limited differentiation potential: HL-60 can differentiate into some myeloid lineages in response to stimuli, but their differentiation potential is limited compared to primary cells.
Applications of the HL-60 Cell Line in Research: From Cancer to Immunology and Beyond
The HL-60 cell line, derived from a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia, has become a cornerstone in medical research due to its versatility and ease of culture. These low-maintenance cultures are pivotal in a myriad of research applications, and we aim to explore some of the most significant ones, incorporating a broad range of investigative keywords to provide a comprehensive overview.
Cancer Research
In the realm of oncology, the HL-60 cell line has been instrumental in unraveling the intricacies of cancer cell signaling, advancing our understanding of oncogene expression, and propelling the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. This cell line forms a part of the leukemia cell line panel used for screening new chemotherapeutic agents. One poignant example is the use of HL-60 cells to ascertain the anti-leukemic properties of compounds extracted from marine organisms, revealing both antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects [2]. Further, the cell line has facilitated the examination of pivotal signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT and their influence on leukemic cell proliferation, alongside assessing the therapeutic promise of bioactive compounds like Thymoquinone [3].
Immunology
HL-60 cells are a robust in vitro system to probe various immune responses, including the complex process of chemotaxis and the regulation of expression of key immune mediators. These cells can differentiate into myeloid cells akin to macrophages and neutrophils, serving as a versatile model for investigating inflammatory pathways. For instance, HL-60-derived macrophage-like cells were employed to explore the anti-inflammatory potential of phytochemicals from the Brassica genus [4]. In another study, the differentiation of HL-60 cells into neutrophil-like cells enabled researchers to identify genes pivotal for cellular differentiation and related immune functions [5].
Drug Discovery
The myeloid differentiation capabilities of HL-60 have also been harnessed in drug discovery, particularly in identifying candidates that could potentially modulate the differentiation pathway, which is crucial in leukemia treatment. This is exemplified by studies that have used the HL-60 cell line to evaluate the anticancer potential of natural products [6].
Additionally, the HL-60 cell line is used to study various aspects of myeloid cell line biology, such as understanding how treatment with agents like retinoic acid can lead to monocytic differentiation, or how these cells mimic primary neutrophils in generating extracellular traps. The model's use in elucidating the molecular events of hematological malignancies is further extended by its application in mutation cell panel studies, particularly in the context of leukemia p53 hotspot analysis.
For those exploring the cellular mechanics, the doubling time of HL-60, and their response to electroporation in microfluidic channels, the cell line offers a reliable platform for investigation.
HL-60 Cell Line for Your Research
HL-60 cells: Research publications
Several research studies are available on HL-60 cells. Here, we have listed some notable examples:
This research paper proposed the anti-tumor effect of a compound, Stigmast-5-en-3-ol, on HL-60 leukemia cells and MCF7 breast cancer cells.
This study describes the role of JAK/STAT signalling in the proliferation of HL-60 cells. In addition, researchers investigate the therapeutic potential of the Thymoquinone compound using this leukemia cell line. The compound inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell death by reviving the expression of negative regulators of the JAK/STAT cascade.
This study utilized HL-60 cells to derive a macrophage-like cell model from investigating the anti-inflammatory activity of Brassica plant compounds.
This study published in the International Immunopharmacology journal developed neutrophil cell mimic from the HL-60 cell line by using dimethyl sulfoxide. The study observed that the ERK gene is involved in differentiating these cells.
This research paper investigates the anti-cancer potential of plant polyphenolic compounds, i.e., gallic acid and ellagic acid, on drug-sensitive and resistant HL-60 leukemia cells.
HL-60 cell line Resources: Protocols, Videos & More
Multiple online educational resources are available on the HL-60 cell line. This section will cover a few resources describing the culturing and transfection of this cell line.
Cell culture protocols
The resources describing HL-60 cell culturing methods are:
- Propagation of HL-60: This document will provide information about subculturing of HL-60 cells.
- HL-60 cell line: This website contains the basic information on HL-60 cells and protocols, including culturing, freezing, and thawing of cells.
Transfection protocols
Here are some resources describing transfection methods opted for HL-60 cells.
- Transfection of HL-60 cells: This link has a detailed transfection procedure for HL-60 leukemia cells.
- HL-60 cells transient transfection: This document contains useful information about the cell line and gives a detailed protocol for transient transfection of HL-60 cells.
Videos related to HL-60 cell line
There are very limited video resources on HL-60 cells.
- Passaging HL-60 cells: This video explains the protocol for subculturing HL-60 cells.
We expect this article to provide you with basic information about culturing and maintaining the HL-60 cell line. In addition, it can enhance your knowledge about the advantages of using these leukemia cells in research. If you are planning on using this cell line, order from us.
HL-60 Cell Line: Essential FAQs for Researchers
The HL-60 cell line is a promyelocytic leukemia cell line derived from a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia. This cell line is extensively used in research to study myeloid cell differentiation and oncogene expression.
Retinoic acid induces differentiation in the HL-60 cell line, prompting the cells to mature into granulocyte-like cells. This process is critical for studying the mechanisms underlying myeloid differentiation.
Serum is a crucial component of the hematopoietic cell media, providing essential growth factors and nutrients needed for the proliferation and maintenance of the HL-60 cells in culture.
Yes, the HL-60 cell line can undergo chemotaxis, which is the movement of cells in response to chemical stimuli. This makes them useful for chemotaxis assays and understanding cell migration.
The HL60 cell line, which exhibits cellular oncogene expression, serves as a model system to explore the regulation of expression of oncogenes and their role in leukemogenesis.
The HL-60 cell line is invaluable in cell biology studies, particularly for investigating the cell cycle, cellular differentiation processes, and the molecular events that lead to leukemia.
Leukemia cell line panels allow for comparative studies of various leukemic cell lines, including their genetic makeup, mutation profiles, response to drugs, and the molecular pathways involved in leukemogenesis, like the MAPK pathway.
Certificates of analysis and origin can typically be downloaded or requested from the supplier or repository providing the HL-60 cell line, ensuring researchers receive authenticated and contaminant-free cells for their studies.
The HL-60 cell line can be differentiated to acquire characteristics similar to primary neutrophils, including the ability to form extracellular traps, allowing researchers to use them as a surrogate model to study neutrophil behavior and function.
HL-60 cells are used as an in vitro model for studying acute promyelocytic leukemia, myeloid cell line biology, and the effects of various compounds on differentiation and proliferation. They are also utilized in experiments investigating cellular responses such as chemotaxis, oncogene expression, and the impact of mutations on cellular processes.
The abbreviation "HL-60" stands for "Human Leukemia 60." It denotes the 60th cell line established from patients with leukemia at the time of its development. The "HL" denotes the focus on human leukemia cells.
The doubling time of HL-60 cells is approximately 36 to 48 hours under optimal growth conditions. However, this can vary depending on the culture conditions and the passage number of the cells.
When HL-60 cells are treated with Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), they typically differentiate into a cell type resembling macrophages or monocytes. This differentiation is part of studying monocytic differentiation pathways and understanding the mechanisms of myeloid cell differentiation.
References
- Fleck, R., S. Romero-Steiner, and M. Nahm, Use of HL-60 cell line to measure opsonic capacity of pneumococcal antibodies. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, 2005. 12(1): p. 19-27.
- Fernando, I.S., et al., Apoptotic and antiproliferative effects of Stigmast-5-en-3-ol from Dendronephthya gigantea on human leukemia HL-60 and human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Toxicology in Vitro, 2018. 52: p. 297-305.
- Almajali, B., et al., Thymoquinone suppresses cell proliferation and enhances apoptosis of HL60 leukemia cells through re-expression of JAK/STAT negative regulators. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention: APJCP, 2021. 22(3): p. 879.
- Ruiz-Alcaraz, A.J., et al., Analysis of the anti-inflammatory potential of Brassica bioactive compounds in a human macrophage-like cell model derived from HL-60 cells. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2022. 149: p. 112804.
- Wang, D., et al., ERK is involved in the differentiation and function of dimethyl sulfoxide-induced HL-60 neutrophil-like cells, which mimic inflammatory neutrophils. International Immunopharmacology, 2020. 84: p. 106510.
- Núñez-Sánchez, M.Á., et al., Anti-Leukemic Activity of Brassica-Derived Bioactive Compounds in HL-60 Myeloid Leukemia Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022. 23(21): p. 13400.