Using cell fate attractors to uncover transcriptional regulation of HL60 neutrophil differentiation
2009

Understanding HL60 Neutrophil Differentiation Through Cell Fate Attractors

Sample size: 80 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Huang Albert C, Hu Limei, Kauffman Stuart A, Zhang Wei, Shmulevich Ilya

Primary Institution: University of Washington

Hypothesis

Can different treatments of ATRA lead to distinct cell fate attractors in HL60 cells?

Conclusion

The study reveals that specific ATRA treatments can lead HL60 cells to either differentiate into neutrophils or revert to an undifferentiated state, highlighting the role of gene expression in this process.

Supporting Evidence

  • Two different ATRA treatments led to distinct cell fate outcomes in HL60 cells.
  • Gene expression analysis identified 154 divergent genes linked to neutrophil differentiation.
  • Transcription factors associated with tumor progression were enriched in the promoters of divergent genes.

Takeaway

This study shows that by changing how we treat certain cells, we can make them become different types of cells or go back to being like they were before.

Methodology

HL60 cells were treated with varying doses and durations of ATRA, and gene expression was monitored over five days to identify divergent genes.

Potential Biases

The study's reliance on population averages may overlook significant individual cell behaviors.

Limitations

The study could not detect early onset genes leading to the precommitment state and only measured average cellular behavior, missing individual cell dynamics.

Participant Demographics

HL60 cells derived from a 37-year-old female acute promyelocytic leukemia patient.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1752-0509-3-20

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