Modulation of growth and epidermal growth factor receptor activity by retinoic acid in human glioma cells

Abstract

The growth-inhibitory activity of beta-all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) was examined on seven cultured human gliomas and cells derived from one normal brain.

Response in monolayer cultures was heterogenous: three cell lines were completely resistant whereas five cell lines were growth inhibited with 50% inhibitory dose ranging from greater than 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-8) M.

Two glioma cell lines capable of forming colonies in soft agar exhibited dose-dependent sensitivity to RA-induced growth inhibition, whereas another cell line was not affected by RA under either growth condition.

Cell cycle analysis of the glial-derived cells has shown that the RA-sensitive cells accumulated in the G0-G1 phase. The cell surface expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors displayed by the various cells was either slightly increased or not affected by RA.

In addition, the affinity of binding was slightly decreased in some sensitive cells. The activity of EGF receptor as assessed by immunocomplex-kinase assays revealed a dose-dependent decrease in autophosphorylation activity that appeared to correlate with the growth inhibition. The decrease in phosphokinase activity represented a dose-dependent inhibition of phosphorylation on tyrosine residues on EGF receptor as well as several other substrates.

Furthermore, the autophosphorylation of either RA-treated or untreated EGF receptors occurred on similar amino acid residues.

These results demonstrate that RA exhibits a heterogeneous growth-inhibitory activity against human glioma cells and suggest that the effects of RA may be mediated, at least in part, by modulation of EGF receptor phosphotyrosine kinase activity.

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See also:

- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;

- All-Trans-Retinoic Acid (ATRA - analogues and/or derivatives) - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - All-Trans Retinoic Acid, Analogues and/or Derivatives - Approximately 60mg per day orally: 40mg per day Beta-Carotene/β-Carotene, 10mg per day ATRA and 10mg per day Axerophthol palmitate);

- Solution of retinoids in vitamin E in the Di Bella Method biological multitherapy;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Alpha tocopheryl acetate/Vitamin E, approximately 20 grams per day orally);

- Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (grade IV – WHO 2007): a case of complete objective response achieved by means of the concomitant administration of Somatostatin and Octreotide – Retinoids – Vitamin E – Vitamin D3 – Vitamin C – Melatonin – D2 R agonists (Di Bella Method – DBM) associated with Temozolomide;

- The Di Bella Method DBM improved survival objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 23 tumours of the head and neck;

- The Synergism of Somatostatin, Melatonin, Vitamins Prolactin and Estrogen Inhibitors Increased Survival, Objective Response and Performance Status In 297 Cases of Breast Cancer;

- Complete objective response, stable for 5 years, with the Di Bella Method, of multiple-metastatic carcinoma of the breast;

- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the first-line treatment with somatostatin combined with melatonin, retinoids, vitamin D3, and low doses of cyclophosphamide in 20 cases of breast cancer: a preliminary report;

- The Di Bella Method (DBM) improved survival, objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 122 cases of breast cancer;

- Complete objective response to biological therapy of plurifocal breast carcinoma;

- Neuroblastoma: Complete objective response to biological treatment;

- Oesophageal squamocellular carcinoma: a complete and objective response;

- Congenital fibrosarcoma in complete remission with Somatostatin, Retinoids, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Melatonin, Calcium, Chondroitin sulfate associated with low doses of Cyclophosphamide in a 14-year Follow Up.