[Terminal differentiation of human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells induced by Tanshinone II A in primary culture].

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether Tanshinone II A (Tan II A) can induce human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells to differentiate or not in primary culture. The APL cells from 5 cases were cultured respectively with Tan II A at the concentration of 0.5 microgram/ml for 7 days in vitro. The differentiations of these leukemia cells were observed cytomorphologically and examined by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test. The cell DNA cycle and membrane cluster differentiation (CD) antigens (CD33, CD11b) were analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that 82.5% +/- 4.8% of APL cells were induced into morphologically and functionally differentiated cells. The cell growth curve showed that the growth of APL cells was inhibited. The degree of differentiation and growth inhibition induced by Tan II A was not different from that by ATRA (P > 0.05). Flow cytometry analysis showed that Tan II A arrested APL cells in G0/G1 phase and inhibited cellular DNA synthesis. This study demonstrates that Tan II A can induce differentiation of APL cells in vitro, and hence it is worthy of further studies for clinical use.

• Authors: Y Liang, Y Yang, S Yuan, T Liu, Y Jia, C Xu, T Niu, H Qin, P Qin
• Journal: Hua xi yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of West China University of Medical Sciences = Huaxi yike daxue xuebao (Hua Xi Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao) Vol. 31 Issue 2 Pg. 207-10 (Jun 2000) ISSN: 0257-7712 [Print] China
• PMID: 12515138 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Abietanes
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Phenanthrenes
• tanshinone

Topics

• Abietanes
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (pharmacology)
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects)
• Humans
• Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute (pathology)
• Phenanthrenes (pharmacology)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured