Chemotaxis and swarming in differentiated HL-60 neutrophil-like cells

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 12;11(1):778. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78854-6.

Abstract

The human leukemia cell line (HL-60) is an alternative to primary neutrophils in research studies. However, because HL-60 cells proliferate in an incompletely differentiated state, they must undergo differentiation before they acquire the functional properties of neutrophils. Here we provide evidence of swarming and chemotaxis in differentiated HL-60 neutrophil-like cells (dHL-60) using precise microfluidic assays. We found that dimethyl sulfoxide differentiated HL-60 cells (DdHL-60) have a larger size, increased length, and lower ability to squeeze through narrow channels compared to primary neutrophils. They migrate through tapered microfluidic channels slower than primary neutrophils, but faster than HL-60s differentiated by other protocols, e.g., using all-trans retinoic acid. We found that dHL-60 can swarm toward zymosan particle clusters, though they display disorganized migratory patterns and produce swarms of smaller size compared to primary neutrophils.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Chemotactic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Chemotaxis / physiology*
  • Cryoprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / pharmacology*
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / physiology
  • Neutrophils / cytology
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Neutrophils / physiology*
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Chemotactic Factors
  • Cryoprotective Agents
  • Tretinoin
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide