Effects of retinoic acid on proliferation and differentiation of a human ovarian carcinoma cell line: 3AO / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on the proliferation and differentiation of a human ovarian carcinoma cell line: 3AO cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>3AO cell proliferation was evaluated by viable cell count, percentage of cells in each cycle phase were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity was determined as described, and CA125 expression was measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RA could inhibit the proliferation of 3AO cells accompanied with morphological changes in a dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis indicated that RA inhibition of 3AO cells growth occurred through induction of G1 arrest with a concomitant reduction in the proportion of cells in S phase, AKP activity increased significantly after treatment with RA (0.1 micromol/L) for 1-5 days. Dose-response studies revealed that the AKP activity increased to a different extent as a function of RA concentrations. Furthermore, RA could suppress the expression of CA125 tumor marker in 3AO cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RA could markedly inhibit the proliferation and induce the differentiation of 3AO cells.</p>