Abstract:

Objective To approach the effects on induction of differentiation of Tca8113 cells affected by abscisic acid. Methods The changes of surface differentiation markers, cell configuration, restrain of cell growth and the expression of Caspase - 3 mRNA were examined by using inverted- phase contrast microscope, immunohistochemistry （IHC）and in situ hybridization in vitro. The dependablity between the surface differentiation markers and Caspase- 3 mRNA was analysed. Results The restraint of cell growth in ABA groups was higher than that of the control group （P<0.05）. There was a trend that the tumor cell had transformed the normal cell. Furthermore, the time - dosage dependent relationship existed in the inhibition rate of tumor cells. The results showed that the expressions of Involucrin protein, retinoic acid receptor β（RARβ） and Caspase- 3 mRNA in experimental group had been higher than that of control group. There was a significance between the different concentration experimental groups at 24 h （P<0.05）. Moreover, the positive correlation existed among the Involucrin, RARβ and Caspase- 3 mRNA at the time of 12 hour and 24 hour（P<0.05）. Conclusion The possible mechanism is that abscisic acid acted on the tumor cell and raised the level of RARβ gene through combining the correlative receptors so that increased the expression of Involucrin protein and promoted the activity of Caspase- 3 and resulted in apoptosis of tumor cell.

Key words: squamous cell carcinoma, abscisic acid, induction of differentiation