Abstract
Among six synthetic retinoids tested, the retinoid 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (CD437) was highly efficient in inducing growth inhibition of 8MG-BA and GL-15 human glioblastoma cell lines, with growth arrest at the S phase of the cell cycle. CD 437 also induced apoptosis in these cells, with 8MG-BA being the most sensitive. In these cells, induction of apoptosis by CD437 has been related to the downregulation of Bcl-2 expression and to CPP32 activation, but not to p53 expression. The remaining non-apoptotic cells presented a morphological pattern of astroglial differentiation with overexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glutamine synthetase (GS). The mechanism of action of CD437, originally developed as a RARγ agonist, is not yet elucidated. However, our results suggest that it acts through an increase of the expression of retinoid-inducible genes, such as RARβ2 and/or RARα2.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
