Icariin stimulates myeloid Leukemic cells differentiation by increasing smad4 protein abundance leading to the inhibition of myeloid Leukemic cell growth

Abstract

As acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is still a highly frequent disease (4.3 per 100,000 patients) worldwide and produces an incredibly high incidence rate (4 per 100,000), finding a more effective treatment or new direction of treatment is essential. This research aims to find a new direction of treatment by investigating cell differentiation. Focusing on the BMP signaling pathway, especially the protein of Smad4, the potential of increasing the chance of cell differentiation was found. Icariin (ICAR) was used to target the Smad4 pathway and hopefully become a potential treatment. Therefore, the hypothesis is set as the ICAR would increase the Smad4 level, which activates cell differentiation and potentially become a new treatment for AML. The experimental proposal was concluded in this research, and the combination of imaginary results was analyzed.