Murine embryonal carcinoma cells differentiate in vitro in response to retinol

In an initial effort to determine whether circulating retinol might promote differentiation of embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells in tumor form, we have assessed the ability of retinol to stimulate differentiation of cultured EC cells. We found that retinol induces several murine EC cell lines to differentiate in vitro. Differentiated derivatives were distinguishable from parental EC cells by morphology, cell surface antigenic properties and levels of secretion of plasminogen activator. Retinol effects could be seen at concentrations as low as 8.7 X 10(-8) M (0.025 microgram/ml). Only two of eight EC lines tested failed to differentiate in response to retinol: PCC4-aza1R, which dies at retinol concentrations above 3.5 X 10(-7) M; and PCC4(RA)-1, a mutant line derived from PCC4-aza1R cells, which also fails to differentiate in response to retinoic acid.