[Effect of all-trans-retinoic acid on C6 glioma cell proliferation and differentiation].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on the growth inhibition and cellular differentiation of C6 glioma cells.


METHODS
Human glioma C6 cells were treated with 5 mg/L ATRA,and the inhibition of cell growth was assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The differentiation of C6 cells was determined by flow cytometry, microscopy,transmission electron microscope, and immunohistochemical technique.


RESULTS
Treatment of ATRA could result in the growth inhibition of C6 cells, and the cell density significantly decreased(P<0.01). The cell cycle distribution was changed, G0/G1 phase was prolonged, and cells at S phase decreased(P<0.01). The C6 glioma cells displayed normal fibroblast-like morphology under the microscope before the induction, and the ATRA-treated C6 cells became slightly long, turned into round in the middle, and had protrusions at both ends. The ATRA-treated C6 cells did not display obvious apoptosis by flow cytometry(P>0.05).Whereas, early apoptosis was observed under the transmission electron microscope, the vacuoles increased, the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum were abundant in the cytoplasm, and the cellular structures tended to be normal.The expression of glial fibrillaryacidic protein in C6 cells increased in the treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
ATRA can inhibit the proliferation, and induce the differentiation of C6 glioma cells.
Tang
Ke
K
Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
Cao
Li
L
Fan
Song-qing
SQ
Wu
Ming-hua
MH
Huang
He
H
Zhou
Yan-hong
YH
Zhou
Ming
M
Tang
Yun-lian
YL
Wang
Rong
R
Zeng
Fang
F
Liao
Ping
P
Li
Xiao-ling
XL
Li
Gui-yuan
GY
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin