[Effects of acitretin on the expression of signaling pathway-related genes in epidermal squamous-cell carcinoma cells].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of acitretin on the expression of signaling pathway-related genes in an epidermal squamous-cell carcinoma cell line.


METHODS
The mRNA expression levels of STAT3, cyclin D1 and p42/44MAPK were detected in a human epidermal carcinoma cell line A431 by RT-PCR. Their expressions at protein level were studied by Western blot. The expression levels were studied in cells treated with or without 10(-5) mol/L acitretin at different time intervals.


RESULTS
(1) Acitretin could significantly inhibit the expression of STAT3 and cyclin D1 mRNA in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The STAT3 and cyclin D1 protein expression levels were down-regulated. Acitretin could also down-regulate the p42/4MAPK mRNA expression. (2) After incubation with acitretin, the mRNA level of cyclin D1 cells was positively correlated with that of STAT3 (P < 0.05). The cyclin D1 protein level was also positively correlated with that of STAT3 (P < 0.05). However there was no correlation of mRNA levels between cyclin D1 and p42/44MAPK.


CONCLUSIONS
Regulation of the Jak/STAT3 signaling pathway may play an important role in the effect of acitretin on epidermal squamous-cell carcinoma cells. The abnormal expression of STAT3 can be regarded as a prerequisite for acitretin treatment effect.
Cai
Sui-qing
SQ
Department of Dermatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.
Chen
Li-rong
LR
Zheng
Min
M
D017255:Acitretin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D019938:Cyclin D1; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D017255:Acitretin