Selenoprotein S (SelS) is widely expressed in diverse tissues where it localizes in the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. We studied the potential function of SelS in erythrocyte differentiation using K562 cells stably overexpressing SelS wild-type (WT) or one of two SelS point mutants, U188S or U188C. We found that in the K562 cells treated with 1 microM Ara-C, SelS gradually declined over five days of treatment. On day 4, intracellular ROS levels were higher in cells expressing SelS-WT than in those expressing a SelS mutant. Moreover, the cell cycle patterns in cells expressing SelS-WT or U188C were similar to the controls. The expression and activation of SIRT1 were also reduced during K562 differentiation. Cells expressing SelS-WT showed elevated SIRT1 expression and activation (phosphorylation), as well as higher levels of FoxO3a expression. SIRT1 activation was diminished slightly in cells expressing SelS-WT after treatment with the ROS scavenger NAC (12mM), but not in those expressing a SelS mutant. After four days of Ara-C treatment, SelS-WT-expressing cells showed elevated transcription of beta-globin, gamma-globin, epsilon-globin, GATA-1 and zfpm-1, whereas cells expressing a SelS mutant did not. These results suggest that the suppression of SelS acts as a trigger for proerythrocyte differentiation via the ROS-mediated downregulation of SIRT1.
beta-Globins ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Membrane ; Cytarabine ; Down-Regulation ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; epsilon-Globins ; Erythrocytes ; gamma-Globins ; K562 Cells ; Selenoproteins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of blocking polypyrimidine complex binding to DNA site by using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) on γ-globin gene expression.

METHODSPYR-PNA, β-PNA and RS-PNA (random sequence-PNA) were designed and synthesized, then were transfected into K562 cells with the cationic liposome lipofectamine 2000 used as vector. The expression of γ-globin gene at both the transcriptional and translational level was detected by RT-PCR and the Western blot respectively at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after transfection with PNAs.

RESULTSCompared with RS-PNA and control groups, the expression of &gamma;-globin gene at mRNA and protein levels in PYR-PNA group was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05), especially at 48 h after tranfection, the levels of mRNA and protein in PYR-PNA group were increased by 2.0 and 2.5 times than those in control group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONPYR-PNA can significantly up-regulate the expression of &gamma;-globin gene in K562 cells, this study may provide a new research idea for gene therapy of β-thalassemia.

DNA ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Peptide Nucleic Acids ; Transfection ; gamma-Globins

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of liposomal transfection of antisense oligonucleotide (ASON) on the erythroid cell alpha-globin gene in the patients with severe beta-thalassemia, and provide a new idea for beta-thalassemia gene therapy.

METHODSA highly effective ASON targeting alpha-globin gene was transfected into severe beta-thalassemic erythroid cells cultured in vitro by liposomal at an optimal concentration. The expression level of alpha, beta, gamma-globin gene, the level of hemoglobin, and the excess alpha-globin chains precipitates in ASON group and control group were carefully analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR(Q-RT-PCR), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and electron microscope, respectively.

RESULTSThe mRNA expression of alpha-globin gene was significantly lower in ASON group (9.04 +/- 0.29) than in control group (24.23 +/- 0.29) (P<0.01). Simultaneously, the disequilibrium between alpha- and beta-, gamma-globin gene expression was partly modified by ASON, the ratios of ASON group and control group being 0.79 +/- 0.02 and 2.26 +/- 0.06 respectively (P<0.01). HPLC demonstrated that the levels of HbA2 and HbF increased with downregulation of alpha-globin gene in beta-thalassemic erythroid cells, particularly HbF. The precipitates of alpha-globin chains in ASON group were lessened under electron microscope, particularly in early erythroblast while no change in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe high effective ASON contributes to inhibit the alpha-globin gene expression of severe beta-thalassemic erythroid cells, partly modify the disequilibrium between alpha-, beta- and gamma-globin gene expression and obviously reduce the precipitates of alpha-globin chains in erythroid cells. It might provide a new idea for gene therapy of beta-thalassemia.

Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Liposomes ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; Transfection ; alpha-Globins ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta-Globins ; metabolism ; beta-Thalassemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; gamma-Globins ; metabolism

β-thalassemia is a chronic hemolytic anemia characterized by the reduction or absence of synthesis of β-globin chains because of the β-globin gene mutations. β-thalassemia belongs to the inherited hemoglobin disease, and occurs in some provinces of China, such as in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, its prevalence is about 2%. The treatment of this disease include transfusion, iron chelating agent, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, splenectomy, induced expression of Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) and gene therapies. However, the mortality rate of this disease is still higher, thus some new treatments are urgently needed. In recent years, the study was mainly concentrated in 2 aspects: the normal β-globin gene transfer and endogenous &gamma;-globin re-activation. Some studies showed that the expression of miRNAs was dysregulated in β-thalassemia. Some miRNAs could regulate &gamma;-globin at posttranscriptional level, thus, the clarification of relationship between miRNAs and β-thalassemia is expected to provide experimental bases to β-thalassemia therapy. In this review, the induced therapy of &gamma;-globin for β-thalassemia and its relationship with the miRNA are summarized.
China ; Fetal Hemoglobin ; metabolism ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; beta-Globins ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; therapy ; gamma-Globins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) in inducing the mRNA expression of Agamma- and Ggamma-globin in K562 cells.

METHODSK562 cells were treated with APS at the concentration of 150, 300, and 450 mg/L, with Na-butyrate (NaB)-treated cells serving as the positive control and untreated cells as the blank control. Benzidine staining was used to examine the changes in hemoglobin synthesis in K562 cells after the treatments, and RT-PCR was employed to investigate the mRAN expression of Agamma- and Ggamma-globin.

RESULTSCompared with the untreated cells, APS treatment (300 mg/L) for 48 h resulted in a significant increase of the percentages of benzidine-positive cells from (4.37-/+0.58)% to (15.67-/+1.80)%, and also in significantly increased expression of Agamma-globin and Ggamma-globin mRNAs by 3.59-/+0.16 and 5.02-/+0.81 folds, respectively (P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONAPS potently enhances the mRNA expression of Agamma- and Ggamma-globin in K562 cells and warrants further evaluation as a potential therapeutic agent for beta-thalassemia.

Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; gamma-Globins ; genetics ; metabolism

We studied the function and mechanism of miR-24 in regulating beta-like globin gene expression. We first detected the expression of miR-24 during erythroid differentiation and also detected the globin gene expression in miR-24 overexpressing K562 cells through q-PCR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting were used to identify target genes of miR-24. "Rescue experiment" was further used to investigate the regulation of miR-24 on globin gene expression whether depending on targeting Sp1 or not. We found that miR-24 increased during hemin-induced K562 cells and EPO-induced HPCs (hematopoietic progenitor cells) erythroid differentiation. Overexpression of miR-24 in K562 cells promoted the epsilon- and gamma-globin gene expression during hemin-induced erythroid differentiation through targeting the negative globin regulator Sp1. These results suggested that miR-24 can improve the expression of beta-like globin gene through targeting Sp1.
Cell Differentiation ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Sp1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; epsilon-Globins ; genetics ; gamma-Globins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of beta-thalassemia mutations and the single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) at position -158 of (G)Gamma-globin gene to the altered levels of fetal hemoglobin(Hb F) of beta-thalassemia heterozygotes.

METHODSHb F was quantitated by alkali denaturation; beta-thalassemia mutations were determined by PCR-allelic specific oligonucleotide(PCR-ASO). The SNP at -158 was analyzed by amplification of (G)Gamma gene promoter fragments from the DNA, followed by Xmn I restriction enzyme digestion.

RESULTSAmong 63 cases with beta-thalassemia trait, 15 had Hb F levels above 2% (2.06%-10.44%). Six beta-thalassemia mutations were observed in this study, namely CD41/42(-TTCT), CD17(A-->T), nt28 (A-->G), CD71/72(+A), IVS-II-654(C-->T) and IVS-I-1(G-->T). There was no difference in the incidence of beta-thalassemia heterozygotes of CD41/42, CD17, CD71/72 and IVS-II-654 between 15 cases with Hb F>/=2% and 48 cases with Hb F<2%. Ten (15.9%) heterozygotes of (G)Gamma-158(C-->T)were detected among 63 cases, and 8 of them (53.33%) belonged to the group of Hb F>/=2% while the remaining 2 cases (4.17%) were in the group of Hb F<2%.

CONCLUSIONbeta-thalassemia mutations of CD41/42, CD17, CD71/72, IVS-II-654 had no influence on Hb F levels, but (G)Gamma-158(C-->T) had a strong association with moderately increased Hb F levels in beta-thalassemia heterozygotes in the Guangxi area of China.

Adult ; Female ; Fetal Hemoglobin ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pregnancy ; beta-Thalassemia ; genetics ; gamma-Globins ; genetics

This study was purposed to investigate the effects of tortois plastron, astragali, salviae miltiorrhizae and codonopsis pilosulae on gamma-globin gene synthesis in K562 cells in vitro. Benzidine staining was used to clarify the dose-and time-dependent effects of tortois plastron, astragali, salviae miltiorrhizae and codonopsis pilosulae on hemoglobin synthesis in K562 cells and Western blotting was performed to determine the level of hemoglobin F (alpha(2)gamma(2)). The results indicated that the K562 cells treated with 4 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine had different stain rates of benzidine for: 23.5% (tortois plastron), 19.8% (astragali), 15.8% (salviae miltiorrhizae) and 14.5% (codonopsis pilosulae) at 6 days after the treatment. Western blot indicated that synthesis of HbF increased. It is concluded that tortois plastron, astragali, salviae miltiorrhizae and codonopsis pilosulae enhance globins-gamma synthesis level and increase hemoglobin F level in K562 cells, the effect of which resembles that of sodium butyrate.
Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; gamma-Globins ; biosynthesis

The role of ROS in hydroquinone-induced inhibition of K562 cell erythroid differentiation was investigated. After K562 cells were treated with hydroquinone for 24 h, and hemin was later added to induce erythroid differentiation for 48 h, hydroquinone inhibited hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis and mRNA expression of &gamma;-globin in K562 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The 24-h exposure to hydroquinone also caused a concentration-dependent increase at an intracellular ROS level, while the presence of N- acetyl-L-cysteine prevented hydroquinone- induced ROS production in K562 cells. The presence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine also prevented hydroquinone inhibiting hemin-induced hemoglobin synthesis and mRNA expression of &gamma;-globin in K562 cells. These evidences indicated that ROS production played a role in hydroquinone-induced inhibition of erythroid differentiation.
Acetylcysteine ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hemin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydroquinones ; pharmacology ; K562 Cells ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; gamma-Globins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of TBLR1-RARα on the differentiation induction of leukemia cell line K562 cells into erythroid lineage and to investigate its related mechanisms.

METHODSTet-Off inducible system was used to construct the conditional expression vector of TBLR1-RARα fusion gene by cloning the TBLR1-RARα fragment into lentivirus vector pLVX-Tight-Puro, the expression of TBLR1-RARα fusion gene was induced by doxycycline (Dox). Then, K562 cells were transfected with lentivirus pLVX-Tight-Puro-TBLR1-RARα-flag, and the expression of fusion proteins was verified by Western blot. After treatment of K562 with all-trans retinoid acid (ATRA), real time RT-PCR was performed to test the expression of erythroid differentiation-related CD71 and α, ε, &gamma;-globins gene. Flow cytometry was used also to analyze the expression of erythroid differentiation markers CD71 and CD235a. Benzidine staining was used to detect the production of hemoglobin in K562 cells.

RESULTSqRT-RCR showed that ATRA could increase the expression level of CD71 and α, ε, &gamma;-globin genes when TBLR1-RARα was expressed. After treatment of ATRA, the proportion of CD71(+) cells detected by the flow cytometry also increased. Benzidine staining showed that ATRA could induce hemoglobin production in K562 cells with TBLR1-RARα fusion gene expression.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TBLR1-RARα fusion gene contribute to ATRA-inducing differentiation of K562 cells into erythroid lineage.

Cell Differentiation ; Erythrocytes ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Nuclear Proteins ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid ; Repressor Proteins ; Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha ; gamma-Globins