Characterization and modulation of cell surface proteases on human mycloblastic (HL-60) cells and comparison to normal mycloid cells

Human myeloblastic HL-60 cells were probed for cell surface protease activity. A class of bestatin sensitive N-exoaminopeptidases and a dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV-like enzyme specifically inhibited by DFP and diprotin A were detected at the surface of intact cells, as well as in highly purified HL-60 cell membranes. Cell surface proteolytic activities were investigated in HL-60 cells induced to differentiate into granulocytes or macrophages as well as on normal human myeloid cells. It was found that membrane expression of serine and N-aminopeptidases significantly increased following maturation of the HL-60 cell line and normal monocytes toward the macrophage pathway. In contrast, N-aminopeptidase expression was mainly down-regulated on HL-60 cells differentiated into granulocytes and low activity was paralleled with that expressed by normal blood granulocytes. HL-60 maturation into the granulocyte lineage however did not cause any modulation in membrane DPP IV-like enzyme. Thus, selective expression of cell surface proteases along the myeloid lineage provides a useful model system for determining the possible influence of such enzymes on normal and malignant myeloid cells.