BACKGROUND: The detection of differential gene expression in brain is possible by cDNA microarray technology, and the screening of differentially expressed genes might provide a biological basis for gene-targeted therapy for tumors. OBJECTIVE: To detect the differential expression of genes among astrocytoma SHG-44 (WHO grade IV), CHG-5 (WHO grade II), and ATRA-treated SHG-44 cell lines by cDNA microarray. DESIGN: Laboratory experiments in vitro.SETTING: Department of Neurobiology, the Third Military Medical University. MATERIALS: The experiment was performed at the Department of Neurobiology in the Third Military Medical University of the Chinese PLA from January to October 2007. The SHG-44 cell line (WHO grade Ⅳ) was established by Prof. Ziwei Du, and the CHG-5 cell line (WHO grade II) was set up by Prof. Xiuwu Bian from the Third Military Medical University of the Chinese PLA. The cDNA microarray containing 9182 known genes was prepared and provided by Dr. Yang Zhong at the City University of Hong Kong. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The identification of genes that were similarly regulated (overlapping) during tumor progression and differentiation, by comparison of gene expression profiles between CHG-5 and SHG-44 cells, and between SHG-44 cells with or without treatment with ATRA. RESULTS: Thirty-one overlapping genes were found to have similar regulatory effects on astrocytomas; among them, twenty genes were up-regulated and eleven were down-regulated in both comparisons between CHG-5 and SHG-44 cells, and between SHG-44 cells with or without treatment with ATRA. The four reported genes, SERPINF1, MAPK11, HIF1A and SOD2, were up-regulated in this study.CONCLUSION: The differentially expressed genes in different grade astrocytoma cell lines were revealed primarily by cDNA microarray; among them, five identified overlapping genes, SERPINF1, MAPK11, DCTN2, HIF1A and SOD2, were related to the malignant progression of astrocytoma cells.