Effect of All-Trans Retinoic Acid on Proliferation of Human Epidermoid Carcinoma (A431) Cells

Objective To investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)on the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma(A431)cells.Methods MTT assay was used to determine the effects of all-trans retinoid on human epidermoid carcinoma A431.Microscopy was used to observe cell morphological changes.Flow cytometry was performed to investigate the influence of all-trans retinoid on cell cycle.Results The proliferation rate of cells was higher in the low-dose retinoic acid group,especially in 1 μM group.The percent S-phase(by flow cytometry)in 24-hour ATRA-treated cells was higher than that in their control vehicle-treated cells in A431 cell lines.Conclusion The anti-proliferation effect of all-trans retinoic on cell proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 seems to be achieved only in the presence of a critical ATRA concentration.