Mitochondrial gene knockout HL60ρ0 cells show preferential differentiation into monocytes/macrophages

This study compares the differentiation potential of mitochondrial gene knockout (ρ0) and parental HL60 cells in response to 1.25% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 10 nM phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Compared to HL60 cells, undifferentiated HL60ρ0 cells showed partial monocyte/macrophage differentiation, with increased CD11c and CD14 expression, decreased CD71 expression, and weak non-specific esterase staining. Differentiation along the monocyte/macrophage pathway (PMA) was more pronounced in HL60ρ0 than parental HL60 cells with increased CD11c and CD14 expression and stronger non-specific esterase staining. DMSO-exposure resulted in a poorly differentiated nuclear morphology, small respiratory burst and marginal up-regulation of CD15 expression in HL60ρ0 cells.