P-糖蛋白在多药耐药的K562细胞转运苯妥英纳与卡马西平中的作用

研究证实,多药转运体与难治性癫痫耐药机制密切相关,P-糖蛋白在其中起重要作用．主要研究P-糖蛋白拮抗剂维拉帕米对P-糖蛋白过表达的K562细胞耐药性及细胞内苯妥英纳与卡马西平浓度的影响．首先建立了P-糖蛋白高表达的K562/Dox(阿霉素诱导)耐药细胞株,比较耐药细胞株和P-糖蛋白表达阴性的K562细胞株对苯妥英纳和卡马西平的耐药性,并观察给予维拉帕米后,耐药细胞内抗癫痫药物的浓度变化．结果发现,苯妥英纳和卡马西平对K562/Dox细胞株的半数抑制浓度(IC₅₀)明显高于K562细胞株,加入维拉帕米后,苯妥英纳和卡马西平对K562/Dox 细胞的IC₅₀明显下降,逆转倍数分别为2.5和1.5．进一步研究发现,K562/Dox细胞内苯妥英纳和卡马西平的浓度均显著少于其药敏K562细胞,仅分别为正常K562细胞的23.6%和32.2%．当加入维拉帕米后,K562/Dox细胞内抗癫痫药物浓度明显升高(P < 0.05)．由此证明,高表达的P-糖蛋白参与了细胞的药物转运,在难治性癫痫的耐药机制中扮演重要角色．     

抗砷细胞荧光染色后的激光共聚焦显微镜检测

目的:应用激光共聚焦显微镜检测活细胞内荧光物质含量.方法:传代培养长期低剂量砷诱导的抗砷细胞,用荧光染料Rhodamine-123对细胞染色30min,实验组与维拉帕米(Verapamil)共同孵育,对照组为单加Rhodamine-123的抗砷细胞.应用激光共聚焦显微镜采集Rhodamine-123的荧光图像动态序列,并且记录不同时间段的细胞内荧光强度.结果:实验组细胞染色12h,24h,36h,48h,60h后,荧光强度依次为(51.567±0.7572)、(46.533±0.7095)、(39.557±0.601)、(38.6±0.6245)和(38.505±0.718),明显高于同时间段对照组的荧光强度,差异均有显著性(P＜0.01).结论:应用激光共聚焦显微成像技术能进行活细胞水平荧光物质实时定量检测.     

优化的绿色荧光蛋白在超嗜热嗜酸古菌冰岛硫化叶菌中的表达与应用

【目的】开发可用于在极端嗜热嗜酸模式泉古菌冰岛硫化叶菌(Sulfolobus islandicus)中进行高效表达的eCGP123(enhanced consensus green protein variant 123)荧光蛋白,并用作S.islandicus的细胞内蛋白定位工具。【方法】绿色荧光蛋白突变体eCGP123具有极高的热稳定性、耐酸性和可逆的荧光特性等。本研究主要对eCGP123的基因根据S.islandicus密码子偏好性进行优化与合成,在大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)中表达并研究其蛋白性质;通过在eCGP123的C末端分别融合具有不同细胞内定位的蛋白(包括E.coli来源的Fts Z和S.islandicus来源的Ups E、PCNA1和SiRe_1200等),构建eCGP123及其融合蛋白的表达菌株,用激光共聚焦显微镜分析eCGP123及其融合蛋白在E.coli和S.islandicus活细胞中的亚细胞定位。【结果】我们确认了在E.coli中表达并纯化密码子优化后的e CGP123具有与野生型绿色荧光蛋白相同的吸光值和较高的热稳定性。细胞学分析显示细胞分裂相关蛋白FtsZ和Si Re_1200分别主要定位于E.coli和S.islandicus分裂细胞的中间;鞭毛组分蛋白Ups E呈点状均匀分布,可能定位于细胞膜上;DNA复制滑动夹亚基PCNA1呈区域性点状分布,暗示了DNA复制区域的位置。蛋白的亚细胞定位与预期结果基本吻合。【结论】绿色荧光蛋白e CGP123可以作为报告蛋白,应用于S.islandicus细胞的蛋白定位分析中,可作为该模式菌株中功能基因研究的重要工具,但需要进一步优化条件。     

华蟾素对MDA - MB -231细胞线粒体膜电位及活性氧的影响

目的:研究华蟾素诱导乳腺癌MDA - MB - 231细胞凋亡过程中,细胞内活性氧(ROS)及线粒体膜电位(△Ψm)的变化,探讨华蟾素对乳腺癌细胞的作用机制.方法:用不同浓度的华蟾素作用于MDA - MB - 231细胞24h后,分别用荧光探针罗丹明123和荧光探针DCFH-DA进行荧光染色,用流式细胞仪检测细胞内线粒体膜电位和活性氧的变化.结果:不同浓度的华蟾素作用于MDA - MB - 231细胞后,随着药物浓度的增加(0、12.5、25、37.5、50μg/ml),细胞内的ROS水平显著升高,荧光强度从3 609±24上升为6 263±35;同时,线粒体膜电位(△Ψm)显著下降,荧光强度从242±6降低到173±4.结论:华蟾素作用细胞后,使得细胞内活性氧水平显著升高,同时,线粒体膜电位显著下降,推测华蟾素对MDA - MB - 231细胞通过线粒体途径诱发细胞凋亡.     

P-糖蛋白的细胞内转运及表达调控

肿瘤多药耐药(multidrug resistance,MDR)的发生多与P-糖蛋白(P-glycoprotein,P-gp)过度表达相关。作为一种糖蛋白,P-糖蛋白在内质网中合成、折叠,然后转运到高尔基体进行加工、修饰,最终定位于细胞膜,且只有定位于细胞膜的P-糖蛋白才与肿瘤多药耐药的产生相关。P-糖蛋白的表达与多种信号通路如MAPK、Wnt/β-catenin、PKC、NF-κB有关。研究证实,还有多种miRNA与肿瘤多药耐药的发生相关。本文综述了P-糖蛋白的细胞内转运过程及P-糖蛋白表达相关信号通路的研究进展,为以P-糖蛋白为靶标的肿瘤多药耐药逆转剂提供新的研究策略。     

N糖基取代的沙利度胺新衍生物对人鼻咽癌细胞耐药逆转作用研究

肿瘤细胞对化疗药物产生耐药性是化疗失败的主要原因,发展新型的耐药逆转剂是克服肿瘤细胞耐药的重要策略之一．首先采用浓度梯度递增法诱导建立对紫杉醇(Taxol,TAX)耐药的人鼻咽癌(KB)细胞耐药株(KB/TAX),再通过细胞毒性检测、流式细胞仪分析、Western blotting和RT-PCR等方法鉴定耐药细胞株的特征,研究沙利度胺新衍生物邻苯二甲酰亚氨基葡萄糖苷(STA-35)对该耐药细胞株的耐药逆转作用与可能的分子机制．实验结果表明,KB/TAX细胞对多种化疗药物产生抗性,对TAX的耐药指数达73.1．与亲本细胞相比,耐药细胞内P-糖蛋白(P-glucoprotein,P-gp)的功能与表达均增强、多药耐药基因mdr1表达量增加．N糖基取代的沙利度胺新衍生物STA-35可显著抑制KB/TAX细胞及其亲本KB生长,与TAX联合应用时可降低KB/TAX细胞对TAX的耐药指数．此外,STA-35(5～20 μmol/L)可浓度依赖地提高KB/TAX细胞中罗丹明123的蓄积量、抑制P-gp的表达,但对mdr1基因表达无明显作用．研究表明,N糖基取代的沙利度胺新衍生物STA-35能够逆转KB/TAX细胞对TAX的耐药性,可能的分子机制与其抑制P-gp功能和蛋白质表达相关．     

人SDCT2蛋白亚细胞定位信号分析

为了确定人高亲和力钠离子依赖性二羧酸共转运蛋白（high-affinity sodium-dependent dicarboxylate co-transporter, SDCT2,NaDC3）在细胞内的定位,构建了SDCT2与增强型绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）的融合蛋白表达载体,并转染肾小管上皮细胞LLC-PK1,激光共聚焦显微镜观察显示,SDCT2蛋白主要定位于细胞的基底侧膜上.同时将SDCT2-EGFP融合基因mRNA显微注射到爪蟾卵母细胞中表达,可见融合蛋白的绿色荧光仅分布在细胞膜上.为了进一步确定该蛋白质的亚细胞定位信号序列,将SDCT2基因的N端及C端分别缺失,并构建缺失突变体与EGFP的融合蛋白表达载体,将它们转染到LLC-PK1中,观察SDCT2 缺失体在细胞内的分布情况.结果显示,N端缺失的SDCT2蛋白主要位于细胞质中,顶膜和基底侧膜上也有表达;C端缺失的SDCT2蛋白主要位于基底侧膜上,顶膜几乎没有表达,细胞质中表达很少.免疫组化结果也显示,SDCT2只表达于人近端肾小管上皮细胞的基底侧膜.这表明SDCT2蛋白的N端序列对其亚细胞定位是必需的,人SDCT2蛋白的基底膜定位信号位于N端序列中.     

线粒体ATP敏感钾通道对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞低氧诱导因子-1α表达及细胞增殖的作用

本文旨在探讨线粒体ATP敏感钾（mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K＋,MitoKATP）通道对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞低氧诱导因子-1α（hypoxia inducible factor-1α,HIF-1α）表达和细胞增殖的影响。原代培养大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞,分为常氧对照组、常氧＋diazoxide（MitoKATP通道的选择性开放剂）组、常氧＋5-hydroxydecanoate（5-HD,MitoKATP通道的选择性阻断剂）组、低氧对照组、低氧＋diazoxide组、低氧＋5-HD组,共6组,分别应用罗丹明123荧光技术检测各组大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞的线粒体膜电位,免疫组化检测HIF-1α的表达及酶联免疫检测仪检测细胞增殖的变化。结果显示,常氧＋ diazoxide组与常氧对照组比较,罗丹明123荧光、HIF-1α表达及细胞增殖明显增强（P〈0．05）;低氧＋diazoxide组与低氧对照组比较,罗丹明123荧光、HIF-1α表达及细胞增殖明显增强（P〈0.05）：常氧＋5-HD组与常氧对照组比较,罗丹明123荧光、HIF-1α表达、细胞增殖没有明显变化（P〉0．05）;但低氧＋5-HD组与低氧对照组比较,罗丹明123荧光明显减弱、HIF-1α表达及细胞增殖有所减弱（P〈0．05）。结果提示：MitoKATP通道的开放能引起大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞线粒体膜去极化,并可以促进HIF-1α的表达及细胞增殖。     

半枝莲新克罗烷型二萜成分逆转肿瘤多药耐药活性研究

肿瘤细胞对化疗药物产生耐药性是肿瘤治疗失败的重要因素。其中,以P-糖蛋白(P-gp)为代表的ABC转运蛋白超家族异常表达引起的药物外排是产生多药耐药(MDR)的主要机制之一。本研究中,我们采用现代分离纯化方法,从半枝莲中分离并鉴定得到了6个已知的新克罗烷型二萜化合物:scutebarbatine Y(1)、scutebarbatine B(2)、suctebartine F(3)、clerdinin B(4)、scutellin A(5)、scutehennanine D(6)。其中,化合物4为首次从半枝莲中分离得到。体外逆转肿瘤多药耐药活性评价发现化合物1、2、3、6在20μM时,与阿霉素(Adr)联用可以逆转HepG2/Adr细胞对阿霉素的耐药性,逆转倍数(RI)范围为14.04～39.42;蛋白印迹分析结果表明,与HepG2敏感株相比,HepG2/Adr耐药细胞P-糖蛋白表达显著提高,可能是其产生耐药性的主要因素;荧光结果显示,该系列化合物能够明显促进阿霉素在HepG2/Adr细胞中的积累;但化合物不影响P-糖蛋白的表达。以上结果显示化合物1、2、3和6可能是通过抑制P-糖蛋白的外排功能来逆转肿瘤细胞多药耐药的。     

(R)-、(S)-羰基还原酶在酿酒酵母中的表达和亚细胞定位

【目的】将增强型荧光蛋白标记的(R)-和(S)-羰基还原酶于酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303-1A)细胞中表达,分析荧光蛋白表达谱,确定两种酶在细胞中的功能分布和亚细胞定位。【方法】采用SOE-PCR法克隆出增强型荧光蛋白与(R)-和(S)-羰基还原酶的融合基因,构建到真核表达载体pYX212中,电击转化酵母细胞,以荧光蛋白为筛选标志,观察两种酶在酵母细胞中的表达和分布。【结果】激光扫描共聚焦显微观察表明(R)-和(S)-羰基还原酶多定位于细胞内膜和细胞质中稳定表达,少数成点状分布于细胞中央。根据荧光强度可知(S)-羰基还原酶的表达水平明显高于(R)-羰基还原酶。生物转化结果显示融合型(R)-和(S)-羰基还原酶催化底物2-羟基苯乙酮,分别获得(R)-和(S)-苯基乙二醇,前者产物的光学纯度和产率为86.6%和70.4%,后者产物的光学纯度和产率分别为92.3%和81.8%。【讨论】荧光蛋白与酶的融合没有改变靶蛋白的分子构象与生物活性,酿酒酵母工程菌较重组大肠杆菌具有更明显的生物功能优势,该研究为羰基还原酶蛋白的功能表达调控与亚细胞定位的可视化研究奠定了坚实的基础。     

以重组P-gp为抗原建立检测MDR 1抗体间接ELISA方法的研究

目的:构建MDR 1基因原核表达质粒,表达P-gp重组蛋白,建立检测MDR1抗体的间接ELISA方法。方法:利用重组PCR技术扩增MDR 1基因的1kb片段,克隆至pET-28b（＋）中,构建原核表达质粒pETP-gp,转染感受态菌BL21（DE3）和BL21（DE3）plyss;以E.coli高效表达的P-gp基因主要抗原编码区重组蛋白为抗原,以HRP标记的兔抗人IgG为二抗,建立间接ELISA检测方法。结果:正确构建了pETP-gp原核表达质粒,并可在E.coli中高效表达,表达蛋白可用作检测MDR 1抗体ELISA抗原。结论:成功表达出重组蛋白P-gp,建立了检测MDR 1抗体的间接ELISA方法。     

Upregulation of P-glycoprotein by probiotics in intestinal epithelial cells and in the dextran sulfate sodium model of colitis in mice

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediates efflux of xenobiotics and bacterial toxins from the intestinal mucosa into the lumen. Dysregulation of P-gp has been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease. Certain probiotics have been shown to be effective in treating inflammatory bowel disease. However, direct effects of probiotics on P-gp are not known. Current studies examined the effects of Lactobacilli on P-gp function and expression in intestinal epithelial cells. Caco-2 monolayers and a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis were utilized. P-gp activity was measured as verapamil-sensitive [(3)H]digoxin transepithelial flux. Multidrug resistant 1 (MDR1)/P-gp expression was measured by real-time quantitative PCR and immunoblotting. Culture supernatant (CS; 1:10 or 1:50, 24 h) of Lactobacillus acidophilus or Lactobacillus rhamnosus treatment of differentiated Caco-2 monolayers (21 days postplating) increased (～3-fold) MDR1/P-gp mRNA and protein levels. L. acidophilus or L. rhamnosus CS stimulated P-gp activity (～2-fold, P < 0.05) via phosphoinositide 3-kinase and ERK1/2 MAPK pathways. In mice, L. acidophilus or L. rhamnosus treatment (3 × 10(9) colony-forming units) increased mdr1a/P-gp mRNA and protein expression in the ileum and colon (2- to 3-fold). In the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model (3% DSS in drinking water for 7 days), the degree of colitis as judged by histological damage and myeloperoxidase activity was reduced by L. acidophilus. L. acidophilus treatment to DSS-treated mice blocked the reduced expression of mdr1a/P-gp mRNA and protein in the distal colon. These findings suggest that Lactobacilli or their soluble factors stimulate P-gp expression and function under normal and inflammatory conditions. These data provide insights into a novel mechanism involving P-gp upregulation in beneficial effects of probiotics in intestinal inflammatory disorders.     

Regulatory mechanism of ZNF139 in multi-drug resistance of gastric cancer cells

Our previous study found increased zinc finger protein 139 (ZNF139) expression in gastric cancer (GC) cells. Purpose of the study is to further clarify the role and mechanism of ZNF139 in multi-drug resistance (MDR) of GC cells. MTT assay, RT-PCR, Western blotting were employed to detect susceptibility of GC cells to chemotherapeutic agents (5-FU, L-OHP) in vitro, and expressions of ZNF139 and MDR associated genes MDR1/P-gp, MRP1, Bcl-2, Bax were also detected. siRNA specific to ZNF139 was transfected into MKN28 cells, then chemosensitivity of GC cells as well as changes of ZNF139 and MDR associated genes were detected. It’s found the inhibition rate of 5-FU, L-OHP to well-differentiated GC tissues and cell line was lower than that in the poorly differentiated tissues and cell line; expressions of ZNF139 and MDR1/P-gp, MRP1 and Bcl-2 in well-differentiated GC tissues and cell line MKN28 were higher, while Bax expression was lower. After ZNF139-siRNA was transfected into MKN28, ZNF139 expression in GC cells was inhibited by 90 %; inhibition rate of 5-FU, L-OHP to tumor cells increased, and expressions of MDR1/P-gp, MRP1 and Bcl-2 were down-regulated, while Bax was up-regulated. ZNF139 was involved in GC MDR by promoting expressions of MDR1/P-gp, MRP1 and Bcl-2 and inhibiting Bax simultaneously.     

P-gp 和MDR1 在三种乳腺癌细胞中表达差异研究

目的:比较P-gp和MDR1在人乳腺癌敏感细胞(MCF-7/S)和耐药细胞(MCF-7/ADR、MCF-7/TAM)中的表达差异,初步探讨乳腺癌细胞对阿霉素与对三苯氧胺产生耐药机制的区别。方法:采用免疫细胞化学法、流式细胞术检测P-gp,采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测MDR1在三种乳腺癌细胞中的表达情况。结果:在MCF-7/ADR细胞中P-gp和MDR1均呈高表达,阳性表达率与MCF-7/S细胞比较,有统计学意义(P<0.01)。在MCF-7/TAM细胞中P-gp、MDR1均呈低表达,与MCF-7/S细胞比较,无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:P-gp和MDR1的高表达是乳腺癌细胞对阿霉素产生耐药的主要机制,而并非是乳腺癌细胞对三苯氧胺产生耐药的机制。     

PI3K/AKT 通路参与调控乳腺癌多药耐药和侵袭转移的研究

目的:探讨磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶/丝苏氨酸蛋白激酶(phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/serine-threonine kinase,PI3K/AKT)信号通路与乳腺癌多药耐药和侵袭转移的相关性。方法:以乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7为母本,持续低浓度加药诱导建立阿霉素(Adriamycin,ADR)耐药系MCF-7/ADR’。细胞免疫荧光检测两细胞系中磷酸化AKT(phosphorylated AKT,P-AKT)、P-糖蛋白(P-Glycoprotein,P-gp)、基质金属蛋白酶2(matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2)的表达。PI3K抑制剂LY294002作用两系前后,Western Blot检测P-AKT、MMP-2、P-gp的表达改变及qRT-PCR检测MMP-2、MDR1的表达改变。结果:P-AKT、P-gp(MDR1)、MMP-2在MCF-7中为低表达或不表达,MCF-7/ADR’中为高表达。LY294002作用两系后,P-AKT、P-gp(MDR1)、MMP-2在MCF-7/ADR’中的表达明显减低(P<0.05),MCF-7无明显改变。结论:抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路可有效降低MCF-7/ADR’耐药和侵袭转移能力,PI3K/AKT通路是调控乳腺癌多药耐药和侵袭转移的重要信号通路之一。     

Tryptanthrin inhibits MDR1 and reverses doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells

Development of agents to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) is important in cancer chemotherapy. Up to date, few chemicals have been reported to down-regulate MDR1 gene expression. We evaluated the effect of tryptanthrin on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated MDR in a breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Tryptanthrin could depress overexpression of MDR1 gene. We observed reduction of P-gp protein in parallel with decreases in mRNA in MCF-7/adr cells treated with tryptanthrin. Tryptanthrin suppressed the activity of MDR1 gene promoter. Tryptanthrin also enhanced interaction of the nuclear proteins with the negatively regulatory CAAT region of MDR1 gene promoter in MCF-7/adr. It might result in suppression of MDR1 gene. In addition, tryptanthrin decreased the amount of mutant p53 protein with decreasing mutant p53 protein stability. It might contribute to negative regulation of MDR1 gene. In conclusion, tryptanthrin exhibited MDR reversing effect by down-regulation of MDR1 gene and might be a new adjuvant agent for chemotherapy.     

Role of MDR1 and MRP1 in trophoblast cells,elucidated using retroviral gene transfer

Natural differences in expression and retroviral transduction techniques were used to test the hypothesis that MDR1 P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and MRP1 (multidrug resistance-related protein) contribute to xenobiotic handling by placental trophoblast. RT-PCR and Western blotting in placenta, primary cytotrophoblast cell cultures, and BeWo, JAr, and JEG choriocarcinoma cell lines showed that MRP1 was ubiquitously expressed, whereas MDR1 was absent or minimally expressed in BeWo and JEG cell lines. In syncytiotrophoblast, P-gp was localized predominantly to the microvillous, maternal facing plasma membrane, and MRP1 to the basal, fetal facing plasma membrane. Functional studies showed that cyclosporin A-sensitive accumulation of [³H]vinblastine by cells containing both transport proteins was significantly different from those expressing predominantly MRP1. Retroviral gene transfer of MDR1 to BeWo cells confirmed that this difference was due to the relative expression of MDR1. Therefore, both P-gp and MRP1 contribute to xenobiotic handling by the trophoblast. Localization of P-gp to the microvillous membrane suggests an essential role in preventing xenobiotic accumulation by the syncytiotrophoblast and, therefore, in protecting the fetus. placenta; multidrug resistance; xenobiotic     

Azidopine noncompetitively interacts with vinblastine and cyclosporin A binding to P-glycoprotein in multidrug resistant cells.

It is believed that P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an energy-dependent drug efflux pump responsible for decreased drug accumulation in multidrug resistant (MDR) cells. In this study, we investigated whether azidopine, a photoactive dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, is transported by P-gp in MDR Chinese hamster lung cells, DC-3F/VCRd-5L, and whether its binding site(s) on P-gp are distinct from those of Vinca alkaloids and cyclosporins. The efflux of azidopine from MDR cells was energy-dependent and inhibited by the cytotoxic agent vinblastine (VBL). Cyclosporin A (CsA), a modulator of MDR, also increased azidopine accumulation in MDR cells by decreasing the energy-dependent efflux of azidopine. P-gp in these cells was the only protein specifically bound to [3H]azidopine in photoaffinity experiments. The specific photoaffinity labeling of P-gp by [3H]azidopine was inhibited by CsA, SDZ 33-243, nonradioactive azidopine, and VBL with median concentrations (IC50) of 0.5, 0.62, 1.7, and 25 microM, respectively. The equilibrium binding of azidopine to plasma membranes of MDR variant DC-3F/VCRd-5L cells showed a single class of specific binding sites having a dissociation constant of 1.20 microM and a maximum binding capacity of 4.47 nmol/mg of protein. Kinetic analysis indicated that the inhibitory effect of VBL and CsA on azidopine binding to plasma membranes of MDR cells was noncompetitive, indicating that azidopine binds to P-gp at a binding site(s) different from the binding site(s) of these drugs.     

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.