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Inhibitory effect of all-trans retinoic acid on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation
Yun-Feng Piao1, Yang Shi, Pu-Jun Gao
1Department of Gastroenterology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China.
Aim:
To study the inhibitory effect of all-trans retinoic acid on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 and to explore the mechanism of its effect.
Methods:
SMMC-7721 cells were divided into two groups, one treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) for 5 days and the other as a control group. Light microscope and electron microscope were used to observe the morphological changes. Telomerase activity was analyzed with silver-stained telomere repeated assay protocal (TRAP). Expression of Caspase-3 was demonstrated with western blot.
Results:
ATRA-treated cells showed differentiation features including small and pyknotic nuclei, densely stained chromatin and fewer microvilli. Besides, ATRA could inhibit the activity of telomerase, promote the expression of Caspase-3 and its activation.
Conclusion:
Telomerase activity and Caspase-3 expression are changed in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 treated with all-trans retinioc acid. The inhibition of telomerase activity and the activation of Caspase-3 may be the key steps through which ATRA inhibits the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cell line.
