Stereoselective regulation of MDR1 expression in Caco-2 cells by cetirizine enantiomers

MDR1-encoded P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a drug efflux transporter mainly expressed in liver, kidney, intestine, brain (at the level of the blood-brain barrier), and placenta. It thus plays important roles in drug absorption, distribution, and excretion. Cetirizine is a second-generation nonsedating antihistamine used to treat allergic disease of respiratory system, skin and eyes. To evaluate P-gp expression and function in Caco-2 cells pretreated with cetirizine enantiomers, we assessed the sensitivity of Caco-2 cells to paclitaxel using the MTT assay and the polarized transport of rhodamine-123 and doxorubicin across Caco-2 monolayers. RT-PCR and flow cytometry were used to assay MDR1 mRNA and P-gp protein respectively. The sensitivity of Caco-2 cells to paclitaxel decreased significantly after cells were pretreated with 100 microM R-cetirizine but increased upon treatment with S-cetirizine. The efflux of rhodamine-123 and doxorubicin was enhanced significantly after Caco-2 monolayers were pretreated with 100 microM R-cetirizine but was reduced by S-cetirizine. The MDR1 mRNA and P-gp levels in Caco-2 cells were increased by 100 microM R-cetirizine and decreased by 100 microM S-cetirizine. These results suggest that R-cetirizine up-regulates MDR1 expression while S-cetirizine down-regulates MDR1 expression.     

Stable suppression of MDR1 gene expression and function by RNAi in Caco-2 cells

Vector-based RNAi was used to establish a stable Caco-2 cell line with a persistent knockdown of multidrug resistant gene 1 (MDR1) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Several positive clones were collected, many of which showed significantly reduced levels of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp compared to wt Caco-2 cells. Selected clones were sub-cultivated for six passages and real-time PCR showed that MDR1 expression remained significantly reduced (up to 96%) over this period of time. RNAi-MDR1 clones frozen long term also kept their low MDR1 expression levels when re-cultured. Permeability studies were performed across RNAi-MDR1 clone cell monolayers, and the efflux of cyclosporine A, digoxin, vinblastine, and vincristine showed 58%, 61%, 91%, and 78% decrease in active transport, respectively, compared to wt Caco-2 cells. This stably modified Caco-2 cell line provides a novel tool for studies on MDR1 and other ABC transporter protein gene cellular functions.     

Functionalized silicon quantum dots tailored for targeted siRNA delivery

For RNA interference (RNAi) mediated silencing of the ABCB1 gene in Caco-2 cells biocompatible luminescent silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) were developed to serve as self-tracking transfection tool for ABCB1 siRNA. While the 2-3 nm sized SiQD core exhibits green luminescence, the QD surfaces are completely saturated with covalently linked 2-vinylpyridine that may electrostatically bind siRNA. For down-regulating P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression of the ABCB1 gene the SiQDs were complexed with siRNA. The cellular uptake and allocation of SiQD-siRNA complexes in Caco-2 cells were monitored using confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The release of siRNA to the cytoplasm was verified through real-time PCR quantification of the reduced ABCB1 mRNA level. Additional evidence was obtained from time-resolved in situ fluorescence spectroscopic monitoring of the Pgp efflux dynamics in transfected Caco-2 cells which yielded significantly reduced transporter efficiencies for the Pgp substrate Rhodamine 123.     

沉默MDR1基因增强急性早幼粒白血病耐药细胞HT9药物敏感性

该研究利用短发卡RNA（small hairpinin RNA,shRNA）表达载体沉默HT9急性早幼粒白血病耐药细胞MDRl基因表达,以提高细胞对三尖杉酯碱、阿霉素的敏感性。通过设计合成编码shRNA的DNA模板序列,定向克隆到pSilencer2．1－u6neo质粒,成功构建1个P－gP蛋白基因特异的shRNA表达载体,稳定电转染HT9细胞,实时荧光定量PCR分析MDRlmRYAg表达,Westem blot检测细胞P—gp蛋白表达,流式细胞术检测P—gP蛋白外排泵功能,MTT法检测细胞对药物敏感性。结果显示,成功构建了shRNA表达载体pSilencer2-1-U6neo—MDRl,转染HT9细胞后,PCR检测重组质粒整合到HT9／sh－2－1－1细胞基因组DNA,获得稳定遗传;HT9／sh－2－1—1细胞MDRlmRNA表达降低了78．84％（P〈0．01）,P—gP蛋白表达降低了48．27％（P〈0．05）,细胞内Rh0123相对荧光强度由（10．8±0．58）％升高至（73．56±1．37m;转染细胞对三尖杉酯碱、阿霉素敏感性明显增强,IC50分别由（2．06±0．15）gmol／L降至（0．57±0．01）gmol／L、（4．04±017）gmol／L降至（1．56±0．05）μtmol／L。提示shRNA干扰表达载体pSilencer2．1－U6neo—MDRl能够稳定、持久地抑制MDRI基因表达,并能有效增强HT9细胞对三尖杉酯碱、阿霉素的敏感性。     

Microplate screening of the differential effects of test agents on Hoechst 33342, rhodamine 123, and rhodamine 6G accumulation in breast cancer cells that overexpress P-glycoprotein

A microplate screening method has been developed to evaluate the effects of test agents on the accumulation of the fluorescent P-glycoprotein (Pgp) substrates Hoechst 33342, rhodamine 123, and rhodamine 6G in multidrug-resistant (MDR) breast cancer cells that overexpress Pgp. All three substrates exhibit substantially higher accumulation in MCF7 non-MDR cells versus NCI/ADR-RES MDR cells, while incubation with 50 microM reserpine significantly reduces or eliminates these differences. Rhodamine 123 shows the lowest substrate accumulation efficiency in non-MDR cells relative to the substrate incubation level. The effects of several chemosensitizing agents and a series of paclitaxel analogs on the accumulation of each fluorescent substrate suggest that there are distinct differences in the substrate interaction profiles exhibited by these different agents. The described methods may be useful in Pgp-related research in the areas of cancer MDR, oral drug absorption, the blood-brain barrier, renal/hepatic transport processes, and drug-drug interactions.     

Interaction of digoxin with antihypertensive drugs via MDR1

The multidrug transporter MDR1 (P-glycoprotein)-mediated interaction between digoxin and 29 antihypertensive drugs of various types was examined by using the MDR1 overexpressing LLC-GA5-COL150 cells, which were established by transfecting MDR1 cDNA into porcine kidney epithelial LLC-PK1 cells. These cells construct monolayers with tight junctions, and enable the evaluation of transcellular transport. The MDR1 was highly expressed on the apical membrane (urine side). The basal-to-apical and apical-to-basal transcellular transport of [3H]digoxin in LLC-GA5-COL150 cells was time- and temperature-dependent. The basal-to-apical transport of [3H]digoxin was markedly increased, whereas the apical-to-basal transport was decreased in LLC-GA5-COL150 cells, compared with the host LLC-PK1 cells, suggesting that [3H]digoxin was a substrate for MDR1. Most of the Ca2+ channel blockers used here markedly inhibited basal-to-apical transport and increased apical-to-basal transport. Exceptions were diltiazem, nifedipine and nitrendipine, which hardly showed inhibitory effects on transcellular transport of [3H]digoxin. Alpha-blocker doxazosin and beta-blocker carvedilol also inhibited transcellular transport of [3H]digoxin, but none of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and AT1 angiotensin II receptor antagonists used here were active. These observations will promote understanding of the digoxin-drug interactions resulting from their actions on MDR1, and which may aid in avoiding these unexpected effects of digoxin.     

Tetrandrine and fangchinoline,bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Stephania tetrandra can reverse multidrug resistance by inhibiting P-glycoprotein activity in multidrug resistant human cancer cells

The overexpression of ABC transporters is a common reason for multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells. In this study, we found that the isoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and fangchinoline from Stephania tetrandra showed a significant synergistic cytotoxic effect in MDR Caco-2 and CEM/ADR5000 cancer cells in combination with doxorubicin, a common cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Furthermore, tetrandrine and fangchinoline increased the intracellular accumulation of the fluorescent P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate rhodamine 123 (Rho123) and inhibited its efflux in Caco-2 and CEM/ADR5000 cells. In addition, tetrandrine and fangchinoline significantly reduced P-gp expression in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that tetrandrine and fangchinoline can reverse MDR by increasing the intracellular concentration of anticancer drugs, and thus they could serve as a lead for developing new drugs to overcome P-gp mediated drug resistance in clinic cancer therapy.     

Effects of tributyltin on barrier functions in human intestinal Caco-2 cells

The effect of tributyltin (TBT) on human intestinal epithelial cell functions was investigated by using human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers. We paid particular attention to the effect of TBT on two barrier functions: the tight junction as a physical barrier and MDR1/P-glycoprotein as a biological barrier. A loss of monolayer integrity was apparent from the TBT treatment and the paracellular permeability was increased by TBT. On the other hand, the activity of P-glycoprotein, which was examined by measuring the accumulation of Rhodamine-123 and daunomycin, was increased by prolonged TBT treatment in a concentration-dependent manner (1-100 nM). Furthermore, it was clarified by Western and Northern blots that this increase was accompanied by the increased expression of MDR1 mRNA and protein. The activation of a multidrug resistance transporter P-glycoprotein by TBT would cause a disorder of the human intestines by changing the drug pharmacokinetics.     

BIRB796, the Inhibitor of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase,Enhances the Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Agents in ABCB1 Overexpression Cells

ATP-binding-cassette family membrane proteins play an important role in multidrug resistance. In this study, we investigated BIRB796, an orally active inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, reversed MDR induced by ABCB1, ABCG2 and ABCC1. Our results showed that BIRB796 could reverse ABCB1-mediated MDR in both the drug selected and transfected ABCB1-overexpressing cell models, but did not enhance the efficacy of substrate-chemotherapeutical agents in ABCC1 or ABCG2 overexpression cells and their parental sensitive cells. Furthermore, BIRB796 increased the intracellular accumulation of the ABCB1 substrates, such as rhodamine 123 and doxorubicin. Moreover, BIRB796 bidirectionally mediated the ATPase activity of ABCB1, stimulating at low concentration, inhibiting at high concentration. However, BIRB796 did not alter the expression of ABCB1 both at protein and mRNA level. The down-regulation of p38 by siRNA neither affected the expression of ABCB1 nor the cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel on KBV200. The binding model of BIRB796 within the large cavity of the transmembrane region of ABCB1 may form the basis for future lead optimization studies. Importantly, BIRB796 also enhanced the effect of paclitaxel on the inhibition of growth of the ABCB1-overexpressing KBV200 cell xenografts in nude mice. Overall, we conclude that BIRB796 reverses ABCB1-mediated MDR by directly inhibiting its transport function. These findings may be useful for cancer combinational therapy with BIRB796 in the clinic.     

Functional analysis of CFTR chloride channel activity in cells with elevated MDR1 expression

Using the patch-clamp method, we investigated a relationship between MDR1 expression and its effects on the CFTR channel function. Incubation of CaCo-2 cells with increasing concentrations of doxorubicin resulted in a reduction of CFTR chloride channel activity in a dose-dependent manner. This reduction was associated with a decrease of CFTR mRNA and simultaneous up-regulation of MDR1 mRNA in the presence of doxorubicin. Similar alteration of the CFTR function was observed in CaCo-2 cells transiently overexpressing MDR1. No alterations of the cAMP-dependent chloride currents were observed in COS-1 cells transiently co-expressing CFTR and MDR1 from strong CMV promoters. This indicated that repression of CFTR by MDR1 induction requires the presence of the native CFTR promoter.     

抗肿瘤细胞多药抗性基因MDR1和MRP1双靶位自剪切核酶的合成及其在体外活性研究

多药耐药基因MDR1和 (或 )MRP1过度表达是引起肿瘤细胞对化疗药物产生多重耐药性的重要原因 .在以往研究抗MDR1基因的核酶 (196MDR1 Rz)的基础上 ,合成了针对MRP1基因 2 10和 730编码子的核酶 (2 10MRP1 Rz ,730MRP1 Rz) ,同时利用RNA二级结构分析程序mfold 3 0设计合成了一种双靶位自剪切核酶体系 (Coat) .将 196MDR1 Rz和 2 10MRP1 Rz基因同时载入到该体系中 ,建立了抗MDR1 MRP1双靶位核酶 .在无细胞体系中对上述核酶进行的生物活性实验表明 ,2 10MRP1 Rz与 730MRP1 Rz相比能够更有效地切割底物 ;载入Coat的抗MDR1和MRP1核酶均能得以有效释放 ,同时切割各自的靶RNA序列 ,切割效率与单靶位核酶一致 ;串联核酶的先后顺序不影响切割活性     

长链非编码RNA UCA1在胃癌多药耐药中的作用研究

目的:研究胃癌耐药细胞及其亲本细胞中长链非编码RNA UCA1的表达差异,探讨UCA1在胃癌多药耐药中的作用。方法:通过实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)检测胃癌耐药细胞SGC7901/ADR、SGC7901/VCR及其亲本细胞SGC7901中UCA1的表达差异;通过si RNA转染降低SGC7901/ADR中UCA1表达,MTT法检测细胞半数抑制浓度(IC50)的变化,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡变化。结果:QRT-PCR结果显示,UCA1在SGC7901/ADR和SGC7901/VCR胃癌耐药细胞表达显著高于SGC7901胃癌亲本细胞;MTT实验表明,干扰UCA1的SGC7901/ADR相对于阴性对照(NC)组的IC50显著降低;凋亡检测结果显示,在相同剂量化疗药物作用下,干扰UCA1后SGC7901/ADR凋亡率显著高于NC组;Western blot证实,干扰UCA1表达可显著降低BCL-2蛋白表达。结论:长链非编码RNA UCA1在胃癌耐药细胞表达显著升高,干扰UCA1表达可明显逆转胃癌耐药,UCA1可作为治疗胃癌耐药的重要分子靶标。     

Euphorbia factor L1 reverses ABCB1-mediated multidrug resistance involving interaction with ABCB1 independent of ABCB1 downregualtion

Euphorbia factor L1 (EFL1) belongs to diterpenoids of genus Euphorbia. In this article, its reversal activity against ABCB1-mediated MDR in KBv200 and MCF-7/adr cells was reported. However, EFL1 did not alter the sensitivity of KB and MCF-7 cells to chemotherapeutic agents. Meanwhile, EFL1 significantly increased accumulation of doxorubicin and rhodamine 123 in KBv200 and MCF-7/adr cells, showing no significant influence on that of KB and MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, EFL1 could enhance the ATP hydrolysis activity of ABCB1 stimulated by verapamil. At the same time, EFL1 inhibited the efflux of ABCB1 in KBv200 and MCF-7/adr cells. In addition, EFL1 did not downregulate expression of ABCB1 in KBv200 and MCF-7/adr cells either in mRNA or protein level.     

Down-regulation of P-glycoprotein expression by sustained intracellular acidification in K562/Dox cells

We have investigated the involvement of intracellular pH (pH_i) in the regulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in K562/DOX cells. The selective Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger1 (NHE1) inhibitor cariporide and the “high K⁺” buffer were used to induce the sustained intracellular acidification of the K562/DOX cells that exhibited more alkaline pH_i than the K562 cells. The acidification resulted in the decreased P-gp activity with increased Rhodamine 123 (Rh123) accumulation in K562/DOX cells, which could be blocked by the P-gp inhibitor verapamil. Moreover, the acidification decreased MDR1 mRNA and P-gp expression, and promoted the accumulation and distribution of doxorubicin into the cell nucleus. Interestingly, these processes were all pH_i and time-dependent. Furthermore, the change of the P-gp expression was reversible with the pH_i recovery. These data indicate that the tumor multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by P-gp could be reversed by sustained intracellular acidification through down-regulating the P-gp expression and activity, and there is a regulative link between the pH_i and P-gp in K562/DOX cells.     

Reversal of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated multidrug resistance in colon cancer cells by cryptotanshinone and dihydrotanshinone of Salvia miltiorrhiza

ObjectiveMultidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells to a broad spectrum of anticancer drugs is an obstacle to successful chemotherapy. Overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporter, can mediate the efflux of cytotoxic drugs out of cancer cells, leading to MDR and chemotherapy failure. Thus, development of safe and effective P-gp inhibitors plays an important role in circumvention of MDR. This study investigated the reversal of P-gp mediated multidrug resistance in colon cancer cells by five tanshinones including tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, cryptotanshinone, dihydrotanshinone and miltirone isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), known to be safe in traditional Chinese medicine.MethodsThe inhibitory effects of tanshinones on P-gp function were compared using digoxin bi-directional transport assay in Caco-2 cells. The potentiation of cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs by effective tanshinones were evaluated by MTT assay. Doxorubicin efflux assay by flow cytometry, P-gp protein expression by western blot analysis, immunofluorescence for P-gp by confocal microscopy, quantitative real-time PCR and P-gp ATPase activity assay were used to study the possible underlying mechanisms of action of effective tanshinones.ResultsBi-directional transport assay showed that only cryptotanshinone and dihydrotanshinone decreased digoxin efflux ratio in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating their inhibitory effects on P-gp function; whereas, tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA and miltirone had no inhibitory effects. Moreover, both cryptotanshinone and dihydrotanshinone could potentiate the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin and irinotecan in P-gp overexpressing SW620 Ad300 colon cancer cells. Results from mechanistic studies revealed that these two tanshinones increased intracellular accumulation of the P-gp substrate anticancer drugs, presumably by down-regulating P-gp mRNA and protein levels, and inhibiting P-gp ATPase activity.ConclusionsTaken together, these findings suggest that cryptotanshinone and dihydrotanshinone could be further developed for sensitizing resistant cancer cells and used as an adjuvant therapy together with anticancer drugs to improve their therapeutic efficacies for colon cancer.     

Increased expression of sorcin is associated with multidrug resistance in leukemia cells via up-regulation of MDR1 expression through cAMP response element-binding protein

Sorcin, a 22 kDa Ca²⁺ binding protein, was first identified in a vincristine-resistant Chinese hamster lung cell line, and was later demonstrated to be involved in the development of multidrug-resistance (MDR) phenotypes in a variety of human cancer cell lines. However, the exact role of sorcin in MDR cells is yet to be fully elucidated. Here we explored the role of sorcin in the development of MDR in leukemia cells, and revealed that the expression level of sorcin was directly correlated to the expression of MDR1/P-glycoprotein (P-gp). In addition, it was shown that sorcin induced the expression of MDR1/P-gp through a cAMP response element (CRE) between −716 and −709 bp of the mdr1/p-gp gene. Furthermore, overexpression of sorcin increased the phosphorylation of CREB1 and the binding of CREB1 to the CRE sequence of mdr1/p-gp promoter, and induced the expression of MDR1/P-gp. These findings suggested that sorcin induces MDR1/P-gp expression markedly through activation of the CREB pathway and is associated with the MDR phenotype. The new findings may be helpful for understanding the mechanisms of MDR in human cancer cells, prompting its further investigation as a molecular target to overcome MDR.     

A kinetic study of Rhodamine123 pumping by P-glycoprotein

The MDR1 P-glycoprotein (P-gp) actively extrudes a wide variety of structurally diverse cytotoxic compounds out of the cell, is widely expressed in the epithelial cells of kidney, liver and intestine, and in the endothelial cells of brain and placenta, and plays an important role in drug resistance. We measured the accumulation of Rhodamine 123 (Rho123), a substrate of P-gp, into a drug sensitive and a drug resistant strain of the human leukemia cell line K562, as function of Rho123 concentration. With the aid of a mathematical transformation, we used the accumulation of Rho123 into the sensitive cells as a surrogate measure for the internal concentration of the probe in the resistant cells, and were thus able to measure the kinetic parameters of drug efflux pumping by P-gp. Drug pumping was half-saturated at an external Rho123 concentration of 7.2E-06+/-1.1E-06 M, and displayed a co-operative behaviour with a Hill number of 1.94+/-0.32. Verapamil could be shown to inhibit Rho123 efflux uncompetitively.