RESUMEN
Evaluating the effect of DMSO concentrations on g-globin expression in Hu11 cells Asgharian AM1, Banan M2, Deilami Z1, Gharesouran J3, Ghasemi S4, Behjati F2, Javadi GR5, Kahrizi K6, Najmabadi H7 1 PhD Student of cell and molecular biology, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran. 2 Assistant professor, Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. Tehran, Iran. 3 Student of MSc of Genetics, Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. Tehran, Iran. 4 MSc of Genetics,Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. Tehran, Iran. 5 Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Campus, Tehran, Iran. 6 Associate Professor, Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. Tehran, Iran. 7 Professor, Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Abstract Background: Understanding of the mechanisms involved in gamma- to beta-globin switching may be important for development of treatment options for b-thalassemia. Such studies require the availability of relevant cellular model systems. One such cell type is Hu11, a mouse erythroleukemia [MEL] cell line containing the human b-locus. MEL and Hu11 cells differentiate in the presence of the chemical dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]. Nevertheless, levels of gamma-globin induction in Hu11 cells after DMSO treatment have not been determined. In the present study, we determined gamma-globin levels in Hu11 cells after treatment with various DMSO concentrations. Materials and methods: Hu11 cells were cultivated in various DMSO concentrations and the levels of gamma-globin were determined by real-time PCR. Results: Our study showed that hemoglobin in Hu11 cells treated with 1% and 2% DMSO was increased by approximately 5 and 10 folds. Moreover real-time PCR results showed that g-globin levels using the indicated DMSO levels were increased by 66 and 298 folds, respectively. Hu11 cells differentiate in the presence of DMSO, and in doing so, their gamma-globin levels are increased. Therefore these cells can be used to study the mechanisms of gamma-globin induction. Such studies may be beneficial for the treatment of beta-thalassemia