Expression of an activation antigen, Mo3e, associated with the cellular response to migration inhibitory factor by HL-60 promyelocytes undergoing monocyte-macrophage differentiation

HL-60 promyelocytic cells acquire the surface expression of the M03e antigenic determinant after exposure to PMA or compounds that raise intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP (dibutyryl cyclic AMP or a combination of cholera toxin and IBMX). The expression of Mo3e by these stimulated HL-60 cells coincides with the development of features of monocyte-macrophage differentiation (characteristic morphology, nonspecific esterase actvity, and respiratory burst activity). During in vitro monocyte-macrophage differentiation, HL-60 cells become responsive to migration inhibitory factor (MIF); the MIF responsiveness of differentiated HL-60 cells is blocked by anti- Mo3e monoclonal antibody. These findings further support the relationship between the expression of Mo3e and the cellular response to MIF.