Proteomic differentiation pattern in the U937 cell line

The U937 cell line, originally established from a histiocytic lymphoma, has been widely used as a powerful in vitro model for haematological studies. These cells retain the immature cell phenotype and can be induced to differentiate by several factors, among which 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-phorbol acetate (TPA). Fully differentiated cells acquire the adherent phenotype and exhibit various properties typical of macrophages. However, in spite of a great deal of research devoted to the U937 cellular model, the molecular basis of biological processes involved in the monocyte/macrophage differentiation remains unclear. The present study has been undertaken to contribute to this knowledge, in order to identify proteomic-based differentiation pattern for the U937 cells exposed to TPA.