Metabolism of an aromatic retinoid Ro 10-9359 by cultured human epidermal keratinocytes.

An aromatic retinoid Ro 10-9359 is metabolized after absorption from intestine to form Ro 10-1670 which is an active therapeutic compound. The epidermal keratinocytes, a main target tissue of retinoid therapy in dermatology, was examined in the capacity to metabolize the retinoid. The culture of human epidermal keratinocytes was treated with 10(-6) M Ro 10-9359 and the metabolites released in the medium was analyzed by HPLC. The HPLC profile showed a distinct peak of Ro 10-1670. The human skin fibroblasts, HeLa cells. Chang liver cells and 3T3 cells were less active in metabolizing Ro 10-9359, and only a small amount of Ro 10-1670 was detected in the culture of human skin fibroblasts treated with 10(-6) M Ro 10-9359 for 2 days. When these cells were disrupted by a glass homogenizer, and incubated with Ro 10-9359, no Ro 10-1670 formation was detected.