Differentiation of K562 Cells Induced by Pulsatilla Saponin A into Erythroid Lineage

OBJECTIVE: To explore the differentiation-inducing potentiality of Pulsatilla saponin A on K562 cells. METHODS: Pulsatilla saponin A of different concentrations was used to treat K562 cells; the benzidine staining and the hemoglobinometry were applied to measure the change of hemoglobin content; the flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the expression of CD71 and GPA on K562 cells. RESULTS: K562 cells treated with 4 µg/ml pulsatilla saponin A differentiated into the erythroid lineage. With the treatment of pulsatilla saponin A, the hemoglobin content in K562 cells increased significantly; CD71 and GPA expression on the K562 cell surface were up-regulated. CONCLUSION: Pulsatilla saponin A can induce K562 cells to differentiate into erythroid lineage.