retinamide and Brain-Neoplasms

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of retinoic acid amide (RAA) on the expression of integrin α3β1, rate of cell proliferation and migration in p53-deficient glioma cell line, LN-308. The results revealed promotion of integrin α3 expression, reduction in proliferation and migration in RAA treated cells compared to the control LN-308 glioma cells. Promotion of RAA induced integrin α3β1 expression led to the enhancement in cyclin-dependent kinase nuclear localization and activation of Akt pathway. In addition, RAA treatment inhibited the expression of nuclear factor-κB, Bcl-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). These factors are responsible for promoting the rate of cell proliferation and survival in the carcinoma cells. Thus RAA treatment inhibits rate of LN-308 glioma cell proliferation and migration through increase in integrin α3β1 expression and activation of Akt pathway. Therefore, RAA can be of therapeutic importance for the treatment of glioma.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Enzyme Activation; ErbB Receptors; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Glioma; Humans; Integrin alpha3beta1; Neoplasm Invasiveness; NF-kappa B; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; RNA Interference; Signal Transduction; Time Factors; Transfection; Tretinoin

Glioblastomas are among the most difficult neoplasms to treat with continued poor prognosis for long-term survival. Glioblastomas have developed effective mechanisms to resist chemotherapy including levels anti-apoptotic proteins, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2. Chemotherapy agents that promote down-regulation of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 may enhance sensitivity to chemotherapy in glioblastomas. The ability of the synthetic retinoid N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide to modulate these anti-apoptotic proteins and to enhance apoptosis and chemotherapy was examined in glioblastoma cells. Expression of Bcl-2 family member proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 were assessed in glioblastomas from three cell lines including U87, U251, and U138. Cells were treated with either retinamide alone or in combination with the chemotherapy agent, BCNU. The incidence of apoptosis was determined with flow cytometry analysis (FACS). Based on Western blots the levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were decreased in glioblastoma cells after treatment with retinamide. Retinamide treatment resulted in increased ratios of deamidated verses transamidated levels of Bcl-xL in U87 cells. BCNU chemotherapy combined with retinamide markedly down-regulated levels of both Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 proteins in glioblastoma and enhanced the incidence of apoptosis in U87 cells. These studies demonstrate that modulation of levels of the anti-apoptotic proteins, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2, may enhance the sensitivity of glioblastoma toward chemotherapy.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Brain Neoplasms; Carmustine; Caspases; Down-Regulation; Flow Cytometry; Glioblastoma; Humans; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Tretinoin; Tumor Cells, Cultured