Retinol bound to physiological carrier molecules regulates growth and differentiation of myeloid leukemic cells.

We have tested effects of retinol bound to its physiological carrier molecules, i.e. low density lipoprotein chylomicron remnants, and retinol binding protein (RBP) on differentiation and proliferation of myeloid leukemic cells in concentrations that can be obtained in vivo. Data presented in this study show that physiological concentrations of retinyl ester in chylomicron remnants induce differentiation and inhibit proliferation of the cell line HL-60 and promyelocytic leukemic cells in primary culture. Retinyl ester in low density lipoprotein showed no effect either on cell differentiation or proliferation of any of the myeloid cells tested. Retinol bound to RBP induced differentiation of HL-60 cells only in concentrations above those that can be found in vivo. However, cell proliferation was reduced both in HL-60 cells and in primary culture of leukemic cells using physiological concentrations of holo-RBP. These results suggest that retinyl ester in chylomicron remnants is the most effective vehicle for transport of retinol into leukemic cells in vivo.