The effect of β-carotene and its derivatives on cytotoxicity, differentiation, proliferative potential and apoptosis on the three human acute leukemia cell lines: U-937, HL-60 and TF-1

The influence of β-carotene (BC) and its derivatives on differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis in three human acute leukemia cell lines was studied. We investigated: (i) the cellular uptake of BC, (ii) the cytotoxicity, (iii) the effect on cell cycle progression and/or apoptosis. The dose- and time-dependent pattern of cellular BC uptake in all studied cell lines was seen. We did not observe any cytotoxic effect of BC and ATRA in the chosen concentrations. There was only limited effect of BC on gene expression. The microarrray analysis of U-937 cell line exposed to BC for 72 h showed an increased expression of BAX gene. This finding was confirmed by real-time Q-PCR analysis, and supported by a flow cytometry apoptosis tests. We did not observe any influence of studied components on cellular proliferation. The induction of differentiation after incubation with ATRA in HL-60 cells was noted. The induction of cellular apoptosis by BC was seen in all studied cell lines. We demonstrated that BC used in the concentrations achievable in vivo does not affect the proliferation and differentiation process of the studied leukemic cell lines, but can influence and enhance the apoptosis by modulating the expression of the regulatory genes.