CD86 expression as a surrogate cellular biomarker for pharmacological inhibition of the histone demethylase lysine-specific demethylase 1.

There is a lack of rapid cell-based assays that read out enzymatic inhibition of the histone demethylase LSD1 (lysine-specific demethylase 1). Through transcriptome analysis of human acute myeloid leukemia THP1 cells treated with a tranylcypromine-derivative inhibitor of LSD1 active in the low nanomolar range, we identified the cell surface marker CD86 as a sensitive surrogate biomarker of LSD1 inhibition. Within 24h of enzyme inhibition, there was substantial and dose-dependent up-regulation of CD86 expression, as detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thus, the use of CD86 expression may facilitate screening of compounds with putative LSD1 inhibitory activities in cellular assays.