Characteristics of retinoid-induced adhesion in a cultured human oral carcinoma cell line

Cultured epidermoid oral carcinoma cells KB were easily detached from plastic surface in an ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) mediated detachment assay. Treatment of KB cells with retinol (vitamin A) or retinoic acid (RA) induced growth inhibition and caused reversible enhanced adhesion to the substratum in a similar fashion as well. Different synthetic retinoids were tested for their ability to induce growth inhibition and adhesion. A relationship between structure and activity of retinoids was found to exist. Possible mechanisms of retinoid-induced enhanced adhesion are discussed.