Human retinoblastoma: in vitro differentiation and immunoglobulin superfamily antigen modulation by retinoic acid

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 1997 Jun;44(4):189-96. doi: 10.1007/s002620050372.

Abstract

Suspension and attachment cultures of Y79 human retinoblastoma cells were treated with all-trans retinoic acid (RA) for up to 10 days to assess its effect on growth and cell-surface expression of immunoglobulin superfamily antigens MHC class I and class II, ICAM-1, NCAM and Thy1. RA up to 10 microM induced growth inhibition, and marked morphological differentiation with extension of prominent processes resembling neurites was seen in attachment cultures. However, above 10 microM RA produced extensive cell death. We also observed increased cell-surface expression of MHC class I, ICAM-1, NCAM and Thy1 on Y79 cells treated with 10 microM over 10 days; constitutive MHC class II expression was not apparent, nor did RA treatment appear to induce Y79 cells to express MHC class immunoreactivity. The up-modulation of cell-adhesion molecules (NCAM, ICAM-1 and Thy1) and immune recognition molecules (NCAM, ICAM-1 and MHC class I), associated with reduced growth and tumour cell differentiation, suggests that RA may have a potential role in regulating the growth and development of retinoblastoma tumours.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Antigens, Surface / analysis
  • Antigens, Surface / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Eye Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Eye Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Eye Neoplasms / pathology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / analysis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / biosynthesis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / analysis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / biosynthesis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / analysis
  • Immunoglobulins / biosynthesis*
  • Immunoglobulins / genetics
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / analysis
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / analysis
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Retinoblastoma / immunology*
  • Retinoblastoma / metabolism
  • Retinoblastoma / pathology
  • Thy-1 Antigens / analysis
  • Thy-1 Antigens / biosynthesis
  • Thy-1 Antigens / genetics
  • Time Factors
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Thy-1 Antigens
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Tretinoin