Enforced expression of Hlx homeobox gene prompts myeloid cell maturation and altered adherence properties of T cells

Abstract

Within the hematopoietic compartment, the murine Hlx homeobox gene is expressed in myeloid cells, most prominently in macrophages and granulocytes, and in immature B-lymphoid cells but not in erythroid, mast, or T-lymphoid cells. The level of Hlx mRIMA increased with induced differentiation of the promyelocytic lines WEHI-3B and HL-60. To address its biologic action more directly, Hlx expression vectors were introduced into seven mouse hematopoietic cell lines representing several lineages. Although four lines did not tolerate stable Hlx expression, high-level expression was achieved in the early myeloid line FDC-P1 and in the immature T-cell lines Tikaut and WEHI-707. Overexpression of Hlx ..