title: The synergistic antitumor effects of all-trans retinoic acid and C-phycocyanin on the lung cancer A549 cells in vitro and in vivo.
abstract: The anticancer effects and mechanism of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), C-phycocyanin (C-PC) or ATRA+C-PC on the growth of A549 cells were studied in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The effects of C-PC and ATRA on the growth of A549 cells were determined. The expression of CDK-4 and caspase-3, and the cellular apoptosis levels were detected. The tumor model was established by subcutaneous injection of A549 cells to the left axilla of the NU/NU mice. The weights of tumor and the spleen were tested. The viabilities of T-cells and spleen cells, TNF levels, the expression of Bcl-2 protein and Cyclin D1 gene were examined. Results showed both C-PC and ATRA could inhibit the growth of tumor cells in vivo and in vitro. ATRA+C-PC cooperatively showed a higher antitumor activity. The dosage of ATRA was reduced when it was administered with C-PC together, and the toxicity was reduced as well. ATRA+C-PC could decrease CDK-4 but increase caspase-3 protein expression level and induce cell apoptosis. ATRA alone could lower the activities of T lymphocytes and spleen weights, but the combination with C-PC could effectively promote viability of T cells and spleen. C-PC+ATRA could up-regulate TNF, and down-regulate Bcl-2 and Cyclin D1 gene. The combination might inhibit tumor growth by inhibiting the progress of cell cycle, inducing cell apoptosis and enhancing the body immunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China. Electronic address: libing_516619@163.com.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China. Electronic address: meihuagao66@163.com.
authors.forename: Mei-Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China. Electronic address: chuxianming@medmail.com.cn.
authors.forename: Xian-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China. Electronic address: qtlei@sina.com.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China. Electronic address: congyilv@163.com.
authors.forename: Cong-Yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China. Electronic address: 289614208@qq.com.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China. Electronic address: yin264823@126.com.
authors.forename: Qi-Feng
authors.initials: QF
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000235:genetics; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / Q000235:genetics; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010798:Phycocyanin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047368:Tumor Burden / Q000187:drug effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C530105:Ccnd1 protein, mouse; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D010798:Phycocyanin; C052617:Bcl2 protein, mouse; D019938:Cyclin D1; D014212:Tretinoin; C495900:CDK4 protein, human; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D053148:Caspase 3
keywords: A-549 cancer cells; All-trans retinoic acid; Apoptosis; C-phycocyanin; Cell proliferation