The study of antiproliferative coeffect of all-trans retinoic acid and interferon-gamma on human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721

[Objective] To explore the combination effect of all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA) with Interferon-gamma(IFN-γ) on human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721. [Methods] Detecting inhibition ratio of SMMC-7721 cell proliferation by MTT, observing cell change in form by electron microscope, and detecting apoptosis by flow cytometry and the expression change of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) by Western blot when the SMMC-7721 cells were treated with ATRA and IFN-γ. [Results] The SMMC-7721 cell proliferation was suppressed and appotosis was induced after ATRA was treated, and these effects were enhanced when ATRA was combined with IFN-γ. The expression of PCNA was reduced when SMMC-7721 cell was treated with ATRA, and reduced significantly under the combination of ATRA with IFN-γ. [Conclusion] IFN-γcan strengthen the effects of suppresion of ATRA on HCC cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis effection of ATRA on SMMC-7721. The expression of PCNA was down regulated obviously.