In vitro retinoid-induced growth inhibition and morphologic differentiation of canine osteosarcoma cells

Abstract

Objective: To determine differentiation and growth inhibition effects of retinoids on canine osteosarcoma cells.

Sample population: 3 osteosarcoma cell lines established from osteosarcomas in dogs.

Procedure: Osteosarcoma cells were incubated with various concentrations of all-trans-retinoic acid and 9-cis-retinoic acid or control medium, counted daily for 10 days, and evaluated for morphologic changes. Synthesis of DNA was measured by use of a cell proliferation ELISA. To analyze effect of retinoids on colony formation on plastic dishes, cells were cultured for 14 days, fixed, and stained; number of colonies was counted.

Results: In a dose-dependent manner, both retinoids induced morphologic differentiation and growth inhibition in the 3 osteosarcoma cell lines and inhibited each cell's ability to form anchorage-dependent colonies.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Retinoids induced differentiation of osteosarcoma cells of dogs, resulting in altered expression of their malignant phenotype. Induction of differentiation by retinoids may have potential as an adjunctive treatment for osteosarcoma in dogs.