title: [Mechanisms of fenretinide-triggered apoptosis in leukemic cells].
abstract: The retinoid N-4-hydroxyphenyl retinamide (4-HPR also known as fenretinide), a synthetic derivative of all trans retinoic acid (ATRA), has shown as an efficient chemopreventive, chemotherapeutic agent and a potent inducer of apoptosis in various cancer cell types in vitro, including leukemic cells. However the mechanisms by which 4-HPR has the apoptotic effects is not completely elucidated. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of 4-HPR on several leukemic cells and explore its mechanisms of effect on U937 cells. The cell growth and proliferation experiments were performed [corrected] cell apoptosis was detected by annexin V; reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim) were determined; protein [corrected] expression was detected by Western blot. The results showed that 4-HPR inhibited the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. 4-HPR markedly [corrected] induced apoptosis in U937 cells, triggered the generation of ROS, induced the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, decreased the expression of procaspase-8 and procaspase-3. Pretreatment of L-ascorbic acid suppressed the generation of ROS, disruption of mitochondrial potential, activation of caspases and apoptosis. It is concluded that the generation of ROS followed by the disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential plays an important role on 4-HPR-induced apoptosis in leukemic cells, suggesting that 4-HPR may be one of mitochondrial-targeted agents with clinical potential in treating cancer.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institue of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025, China.
authors.forename: Da-Kai
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Yan-Zhi
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Hui-Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Yu-Long
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Kan-Kan
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017313:Fenretinide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D007938:Leukemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D020298:U937 Cells
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017313:Fenretinide; D020169:Caspases