Aloe-emodin as antiproliferative and differentiating agent on human U937 monoblastic leukemia cells.

Abstract

AIMS:

Aloe-emodin (AE), a plant derived anthraquinone, has been shown to have anticancer activity in various human cancer cell lines. We have recently reported that AE possesses a differentiative potential on melanoma cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible modulation of defined markers of monocytic differentiation of AE on human U937 cell line.

MAIN METHODS:

U937 cells differentiation has been confirmed unequivocally by Griess and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction assays, protoporphyrin IX accumulation, expression of CD14 and CD11b surface antigens, phagocytic activity, migration and attachment ability. The effect on polyamine metabolism, apoptosis and cytokine production was also investigated.

KEY FINDINGS:

We showed that AE-treated U937 cells exhibit a noticeably rise in transglutaminase activity. This enhanced enzyme activity correlates with AE-induced growth arrest and differentiation to functionally mature monocytes.

SIGNIFICANCE:

Taken together, the results reported here show that AE can promote the macrophage differentiation of U937 cells, suggesting that this anthraquinone could be a potential candidate as a differentiation-inducing selective agent for therapeutic treatment of leukemia.

• Authors: Claudio Tabolacci, Serafina Oliverio, Alessandro Lentini, Stefania Rossi, Alice Galbiati, Carla Montesano, Palma Mattioli, Bruno Provenzano, Francesco Facchiano, Simone Beninati
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 89 Issue 21-22 Pg. 812-20 (Nov 21 2011) ISSN: 1879-0631 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 21978786 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anthraquinones
• Biogenic Polyamines
• CD11b Antigen
• Cytokines
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Indicators and Reagents
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
• Nitrites
• Protoporphyrins
• Nitroblue Tetrazolium
• Nitric Oxide
• protoporphyrin IX
• aloe emodin
• Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors
• polyamine oxidase
• Transglutaminases
• Ornithine Decarboxylase

Topics

• Anthraquinones (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Biogenic Polyamines (metabolism)
• CD11b Antigen (metabolism)
• Cell Adhesion (drug effects)
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects)
• Cell Movement (drug effects)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Indicators and Reagents
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors (metabolism)
• Macrophages (drug effects)
• Nitric Oxide (metabolism)
• Nitrites (metabolism)
• Nitroblue Tetrazolium
• Ornithine Decarboxylase (metabolism)
• Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors (metabolism)
• Phagocytosis (drug effects)
• Protoporphyrins (metabolism)
• Transglutaminases (metabolism)
• Transport Vesicles (physiology)
• U937 Cells