Induction of the differentiation of human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line by succinoyl trehalose lipids

Four analogs of succinoyl trehalose lipid-3 (STL-3) with saturated even-number or odd-number carbon chains, and unsaturated or halogenated fatty acids were examined for their ability to inhibit the growth and induce the differentiation of HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. The optimal concentration of STL-3 at which such activities were recognized was closed to the critical micelle concentration of STL-3. Analog of STL-3 with even-number or odd-number carbon chain and unsaturated fatty acids strongly inhibited growth and induced the differentiation of HL-60 cells, as evaluated in terms of nitroblue tetrazilium-reducing activity and the appearance of the CD36 antigen. An analog of STL-3 with halogenated fatty acids significantly inhibited proliferation but only induced the differentiation of HL-60 cells. Our results indicate that the effects of STL-3 and its analogs on HL-60 cells depend on the structure of the hydrophobic moiety of STL-3.