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Effect of dibutyryl cyclic amp on morphologic features and marker production of human cervical argyrophil small‐cell carcinoma cell line
Author(s) -
Shimizu Hiromu,
Sawada Masumi,
Tohyama Masaya,
Takemura Koichi,
Akedo Hitoshi,
Ichimura Hiroshi,
Ueda Gaiko,
Tanizawa Osamu
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910560526
Subject(s) - cell culture , microfilament , biology , bucladesine , cytoplasm , cell growth , cell , endocrinology , enolase , cellular differentiation , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , stimulation , cytoskeleton , biochemistry , immunology , immunohistochemistry , genetics , gene
The effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dB‐cAMP) on the morphologic features and marker production of a human cervical argyrophil small‐cell carcinoma (ASCC) cell line was examined. Following 1–5 days' exposure to 5 mM dB‐cAMP, morphologic differentiation as defined by the expression of cytoplasmic processes (stellate cells) was observed. The number of stellate cells depended on the dose of dB‐cAMP and incubation time. Shortly after removal of dB‐cAMP from the culture medium, the treated cells returned to their original spherical shape. dB‐cAMP caused a reduction in the growth rate of cells which recovered after removal of the agent. The morphological changes appeared not to be the result of growth inhibition by dB‐cAMP, because the cells maintained in a serum‐free medium did not show any change in shape. Electron microscopic study revealed the development of intracytoplasmic microtubules, microfilaments, and an increase in the number of neurosecretory granules in the treated cells. The levels of neuron‐specific enolase, serotonin and gastrin in treated cells were significantly higher than those in untreated controls. These findings indicate that a reversible differentiation of cultured ASCC cells into neuroendocrine cells occurs in a growth medium containing dB‐cAMP.