Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40920704›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Unraveling the functional landscape of ATRA- and DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells.

Susanna Ghonyan, David Poghosyan, Anush Martirosyan, Sona Margaryan, Aida Avetisyan, Zaruhi Khachatryan, Gayane Manukyan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Susanna GhonyanLaboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.
David PoghosyanLaboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.
Anush MartirosyanLaboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.
Sona MargaryanLaboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.
Aida AvetisyanLaboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.
Zaruhi KhachatryanLaboratory of Evolutionary Genomics, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.
Gayane ManukyanLaboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7541-5743

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The short lifespan of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in vitro poses challenges, as their limited viability restricts functional assays and experimental manipulations. The HL-60 cell line serves as a valuable model for neutrophil-like differentiation, yet the functional relevance of ATRA- and DMSO-induced differentiation remains incompletely understood. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the differentiation potential of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on HL-60 cells and compare their functionality with primary PMNs. Besides that, we performed profound immunophenotypes of the cells with multicolor cytometry, and evaluated their antitumor capabilities. Our findings indicate that both differentiation conditions yield cells resembling immature neutrophils, exhibiting promyelocyte-like morphology, lacking key maturity markers. However, ATRA-differentiated cells exhibit a more mature phenotype, with higher expression of C/EBPα and reduced proliferation rates, indicating advanced differentiation. Functionally, ATRA-dHL-60 cells displayed limited immune responses, showing minimal phagocytic activity, low ROS production, and a reduced response to LPS. In contrast, DMSO-dHL-60 cells, despite their less mature phenotype, showed enhanced NET formation, and tumor-promoting potential. Additionally, DMSO-dHL-60 cells demonstrated superior adhesion and migration abilities, likely due to increased expression of CD18 and CD31. Overall, different differentiation conditions shape the functional specialization of HL-60 cells, with ATRA promoting a more neutrophil-like maturation and moderate activation, while DMSO results in a more immature phenotype with enhanced NET formation. These distinct properties suggest that ATRA-dHL-60 cells may better model neutrophils in chronic inflammation, whereas DMSO-dHL-60 cells could be more suitable for studying NETosis-driven autoimmune, thrombotic disorders and cancer.

Indexed as

Cell DifferentiationDimethyl SulfoxideTretinoinCell MovementCell ProliferationHL-60 CellsHumansNeutrophilsPhagocytosisReactive Oxygen SpeciesDimethyl SulfoxideReactive Oxygen SpeciesTretinoin

Identifiers

PMID40920704
PMCPMC12416653

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