title: Aloe-emodin as antiproliferative and differentiating agent on human U937 monoblastic leukemia cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aloe-emodin (AE), a plant derived anthraquinone, has been shown to have anticancer activity in various human cancer cell lines. We have recently reported that AE possesses a differentiative potential on melanoma cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible modulation of defined markers of monocytic differentiation of AE on human U937 cell line.
  
  
  METHODS
  U937 cells differentiation has been confirmed unequivocally by Griess and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction assays, protoporphyrin IX accumulation, expression of CD14 and CD11b surface antigens, phagocytic activity, migration and attachment ability. The effect on polyamine metabolism, apoptosis and cytokine production was also investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We showed that AE-treated U937 cells exhibit a noticeably rise in transglutaminase activity. This enhanced enzyme activity correlates with AE-induced growth arrest and differentiation to functionally mature monocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, the results reported here show that AE can promote the macrophage differentiation of U937 cells, suggesting that this anthraquinone could be a potential candidate as a differentiation-inducing selective agent for therapeutic treatment of leukemia.
authors: Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Tabolacci
authors: Serafina
authors: S
authors: Oliverio
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Lentini
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Rossi
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Galbiati
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Montesano
authors: Palma
authors: P
authors: Mattioli
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Provenzano
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Facchiano
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Beninati
mesh_terms: D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015317:Biogenic Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D000587:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000378:metabolism; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism; D022161:Transport Vesicles / Q000502:physiology; D020298:U937 Cells; D000097667:Polyamine Oxidase
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D015317:Biogenic Polyamines; D039481:CD11b Antigen; D016207:Cytokines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009573:Nitrites; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase; D000587:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D011503:Transglutaminases; D000097667:Polyamine Oxidase; C028025:protoporphyrin IX; C518327:aloe emodin