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．     

诱导耐药K562/ADM和转基因耐药K562/MDR细胞株的生物学行为和耐药机制的比较研究

目的探讨转多药耐药基因mdr1的K562/MDR细胞株作为单机制耐药模型的可行性,为进一步研究肿瘤耐药及其逆转奠定基础。方法实验分为3部分:(1)在电子显微镜下观察慢性髓细胞白血病急性红白变敏感细胞系K562,阿霉素(adriamycin,ADM)诱导耐药细胞株K562/ADM和K562/MDR耐药细胞株的生物学行为;同时测定3种细胞系的群体倍增时间;以观察药物诱导和基因转移是否对细胞的生物学行为造成影响。(2)以K562细胞为对照,用MTT法分别测定阿霉素、柔红霉素(daunorubicin,DNR)、长春新碱(vincristine,VCR)对3种细胞的半数致死量(IC50)。(3)多药耐药相关基因与蛋白的检测。免疫细胞化学法观察mdr1基因编码的P-糖蛋白(P-gp)的表达;流式细胞术检测P-gp、bcl-2的表达百分率;生化法测定细胞内谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)活性;RT-PCR法检测拓扑异构酶(to-poisomeraseⅡ,topoⅡ)mRNA的表达变化。结果(1)在超微结构上,K562/ADM的细胞器—线粒体出现水肿,K562和K562/MDR未见明显异常;K562的群体倍增时间为19.67±3.10d;K562/MDR为20.40±1.80d;K562/ADM为28.47±1.75d;(2)K562/ADM和K562/MDR细胞对ADM的耐药倍数分别为23.1和1.2倍;对DNR为84.9和14.4倍;对VCR为298.3和10.1倍。(3)与K562比较,K562/ADM细胞的P-gp和Bcl-2蛋白表达率高且topoⅡcDNA片段大小发生变化;K562/MDR仅P-gp表达率高。结论K562/MDR的生物学行为与亲本细胞K562相似,耐药机制单一,可作为单机制耐药模型,对某一耐药基因进行更为深入精确的研究,也可针对该耐药基因准确地筛选相应的逆转剂。     

三氧化二砷对K562/A02 细胞的凋亡及细胞周期的影响

目的:研究三氧化二砷对多药耐药急性白血病细胞株K562/A02凋亡与细胞周期的影响及可能机制。方法:取阿霉素(Adr)的耐药白血病细胞株分为未加药的对照组及加入不同浓度的三氧化二砷(其终浓度为4.0μmol/L、5.0μmol/L)组,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡及细胞周期分布,Western blot方法检测不同浓度三氧化二砷对K562/A02细胞核NF-κBp65蛋白水平。结果:与对照组比较,三氧化二砷可显著增加Adr对K562/A02细胞凋亡率,阻滞细胞于G0/G1期,降低K562/A02细胞胞核中NF-kB p65的表达(P均<0.05)。结论:三氧化二砷可能是通过抑制NF-kB的胞内活化转位,从而促进K562/A02细胞凋亡及抑制细胞增殖。     

XIAP在胰腺癌化疗耐药及治疗中的研究进展

X连锁的凋亡抑制蛋白(X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein,XIAP)是凋亡抑制蛋白家族中的一员,具有抗凋亡作用.研究发现XIAP在胰腺癌中呈高表达,并且能诱导胰腺癌细胞及组织对化疗耐药.通过在基因水平及蛋白水平降低XIAP的表达对胰腺癌的治疗具有重要意义.AEG 35156是针对XIAP的反义寡核苷酸分子,能够抑制胰腺癌细胞及组织生长.RNAi能够稳定下调胰腺癌细胞中XIAP水平,从而加强TRAIL诱导的细胞凋亡,并能提高胰腺癌细胞对化疗的敏感性.针对XIAP的小分化合物能够抑制XIAP的功能,释放被XIAP抑制的凋亡起始和效应分子以及XIAP抑制的其他促凋亡蛋白,提高多种肿瘤细胞的凋亡指数及对放化疗的敏感性.XAFl能抑制XIAP的抗凋亡作用.本文就XIAP在胰腺癌化疗耐药及治疗中的研究进展做一综述.     

Nrf2/HO-1/HMGB1信号通路在白血病细胞K562/A02化疗耐药中的机制研究

目的:通过观察高迁移率族蛋白1(HMGB1)、转录因子NF-E2相关因子2(Nrf2)及血红素加氧酶1(HO-1)基因沉默对白血病化疗耐药细胞(K562/A02细胞株)的影响,探讨该信号通路在白血病化疗耐药中的作用及其可能机制。方法:将HMGB1基因、Nrf2基因及HO-1基因的特异性干扰RNA分别转染阿霉素耐药细胞株K562/A02,荧光实时定量(RT-PCR)方法检测HMGB1、Nrf2及HO-1的mRNA表达水平,Western blot方法检测HMGB1、Nrf2及HO-1的蛋白表达水平,免疫荧光方法检测Nrf2的蛋白表达,并使用CCK-8方法检测转染前后K562/A02细胞株的细胞活性。结果:HMGB1基因、Nrf2基因或HO-1基因沉默的K562/A02细胞活性皆显著低于对照组及空白组(P0.05),化疗敏感性恢复。结论:HMGB1高表达导致了白血病细胞株K562/A02对阿霉素的化疗耐药,Nrf2/HO-1信号通路参与了HMGB1诱导的K562/A02细胞的化疗耐药,其表达上调可恢复K562/A02细胞对阿霉素的敏感性。     

MNP- hTR 复合物对K562 细胞增殖影响的实验研究

探讨MNP-端粒酶反义寡核苷酸复合物,对K562细胞凋亡和增殖的影响。应用荧光显微镜检测法和集落形成法,分别观察了凋亡细胞的形态学变化和细胞增殖能力。MNP-端粒酶反义核酸复合物可诱导K562细胞凋亡和抑制细胞增殖,两实验组数值经统计学处理,具有非常显著性差异（p分别〈O．001）。由此认为,MNP-端粒酶反义核酸复合物对K562白血病细胞具有促进凋亡的作用,此效果与剂量呈依赖性关系（r=0．992）。     

DC-CIK对K562/A多药耐药基因mdr1 表达的影响

目的：体外观察树突状细胞（dendritic cell，DC）联合细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞（cytokine inducedkiller，CIK）对K562/A细胞株 多药耐药基因mdr1 表达的影响。方法：采集健康人的外周血，分离出单个核细胞( peripheral blood mononuclear cell，PBMC )，在 体外加入多种细胞因子经诱导生成DC及CIK 细胞，以流式细胞仪检测其表面标志，将DC 细胞内加入K562/A 细胞裂解物致敏 后，再与CIK细胞混合培养48 小时。将致敏后的DC-CIK 细胞与K562/A及K562 分组培养后以荧光定量PCR 检测其mdr1 基 因表达的情况，PBMC 作为对照组。结果：RT-PCR 中可见K562/A+DC-CIK 组中mdr1 mRNA 表达较K562/A明显降低，经荧光定 量PCR 观察到K562/A 内mdr1 mRNA 表达为K562 的10.27 倍、K562/A/PBMC 略低于未处理的K562/A（P>0.05）， K562/A/DC-CIK 细胞中mdr1 mRNA含量较K562/A、K562/A/PBMC 少（P<0.05）。DC-CIK细胞与细胞株混合培养后，mdr1 基因 表达较混合培养前明显降低。结论：实验数据显示DC-CIK 可使耐药细胞株内mdr1 基因表达下调。但K562 与DC-CIK 混合培养 后该基因降低不明显，提示该基因在细胞中存在着基础表达，意义在于维持细胞内稳态。目前针对逆转白血病耐药的研究较少， 需要多进行相关研究以拓宽细胞免疫治疗在逆转耐药领域的应用。DC-CIK 是具有发展潜力的抗肿瘤方法。本实验将为下一阶段 研究逆转耐药的机制提供依据，DC-CIK 细胞免疫疗法有望成为逆转肿瘤耐药的新方法。     

青蒿琥酯抑制白血病耐药细胞株K562/ADM转铁蛋白受体表达

目的:观察青蒿琥酯对于白血病多药耐药细胞细胞株K562/ADM转铁蛋白受体表达的影响。方法:将K562/ADM(耐阿霉素)细胞分别经浓度为12.5、25、50μg/m L的青蒿琥酯处理48 h,同时25μg/m L实验组在12 h、24 h、36 h分别收集足量细胞。采用流式细胞术检测青蒿琥酯对细胞转铁蛋白受体(Tf R)密度的调控作用,Western blot检测青蒿琥酯对细胞Tf R蛋白表达的调控作用。CCK-8法分析青蒿琥酯对K562/ADM细胞生长增殖的影响。结果:K562/ADM细胞Tf R密度和Tf R蛋白表达水平分别经12.5、25、50μg/m L青蒿琥酯处理后均下降,呈浓度依赖性。25μg/m L青蒿琥酯处理K562/ADM细胞不同时间段后转铁蛋白受体蛋白表达水平随着Art作用时间延长而逐渐降低,表明呈时间依赖性。K562/ADM细胞经青蒿琥酯处理后其耐药性减弱:与对照组相比,12.5、25、50μg/m L实验组细胞耐药逆转倍数分别为1.38、2.12和2.95倍,从而抑制K562/ADM细胞增殖。IC50值为19.7μmol/L。结论:青蒿琥酯能降低细胞Tf R密度和下调Tf R蛋白的表达,逆转K562/ADM细胞的耐药性,从而起到抗肿瘤作用。     

DC-CIK对K562/A多药耐药基因mdr1表达的影响

目的：体外观察树突状细胞（dendritic cell,DC）联合细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞（cytokine inducedkiller,CIK）对K562/A细胞株多药耐药基因mdr1表达的影响。方法：采集健康人的外周血,分离出单个核细胞（peripheral blood mononuclear cell,PBMC）,在体外加入多种细胞因子经诱导生成DC及CIK细胞,以流式细胞仪检测其表面标志,将DC细胞内加入K562/A细胞裂解物致敏后,再与CIK细胞混合培养48小时。将致敏后的DC-CIK细胞与K562/A及K562分组培养后以荧光定量PCR检测其mdr1基因表达的情况,PBMC作为对照组。结果：RT-PCR中可见K562/A＋DC-CIK组中mdr1 mRNA表达较K562/A明显降低,经荧光定量PCR观察到K562/A内mdr1 mRNA表达为K562的10.27倍、K562/A/PBMC略低于未处理的K562/A（P〉0.05）,K562/A/DC-CIK细胞中mdr1 mRNA含量较K562/A、K562/A/PBMC少（P〈0.05）。DC-CIK细胞与细胞株混合培养后,mdr1基因表达较混合培养前明显降低。结论：实验数据显示DC-CIK可使耐药细胞株内mdr1基因表达下调。但K562与DC-CIK混合培养后该基因降低不明显,提示该基因在细胞中存在着基础表达,意义在于维持细胞内稳态。目前针对逆转白血病耐药的研究较少,需要多进行相关研究以拓宽细胞免疫治疗在逆转耐药领域的应用。DC-CIK是具有发展潜力的抗肿瘤方法。本实验将为下一阶段研究逆转耐药的机制提供依据,DC-CIK细胞免疫疗法有望成为逆转肿瘤耐药的新方法。     

Bcr3/abl2和VEGF基因反义寡核苷酸联用增强对K562细胞的生长抑制作用

目的:研究BCRABL和VEGF反义寡核苷酸联用对K562细胞株的作用及其相互作用的影响。方法:设计针对bcr3/abl2和VEGF的反义寡核苷酸(ASODNs),应用脂质体Oligofectamine作为转染载体。在转染后72h进行台盼蓝染色细胞计数;建立裸鼠K562移植瘤动物模型,瘤内注射ASODNs,观察肿瘤体积生长变化,组织学检测肿瘤血管密度和肿瘤细胞凋亡情况。结果:转染后72h,各实验组与空白组相比,细胞增殖抑制率分别为13.47%(ASOB3/A2组),12.79%(ASOVEGF组)和41.55%(半量联合治疗组)。经过4次治疗后,与对照组相比,肿瘤生长抑制率分别为23.18%(ASOB3/A2组),17.28%(ASOVEGF组)和57.83%(半量联合治疗组)。联合治疗组肿瘤生长速率显著低于单一治疗组,伴随明显的肿瘤细胞凋亡增加和肿瘤血管密度减少。结论:双基因反义寡核苷酸联合应用协同抑制K562细胞增殖,抗肿瘤作用明显优于单一治疗组,可为CML基因治疗提供一项新策略。     

Estimation of ABCB1 concentration in plasma membrane

The interaction between ABCB1 transporter and its substrates takes place in cell membranes but the available data precludes quantitative analysis of the interaction between transporter and substrate molecules. Further, the amount of transporter is usually expressed as a number of ABCB1 molecules per cell. In contrast, the substrate concentration in cell membranes is estimated by determination of substrate-lipid partition coefficient, as examples. In this study, we demonstrate an approach, which enables us to estimate the concentration of ABCB1 molecules within plasma membranes. For this purpose, human leukemia K562 cells with varying expression levels of ABCB1 were used: drug selected K562/Dox and K562/HHT cells with very high transporter expression, and K562/DoxDR2, K562/DoxDR1, and K562/DoxDR05 cells with gradually decreased expression of ABCB1 derived from K562/Dox cells using RNA interference technology. First, we determined the absolute amount of ABCB1 in cell lysates using immunoblotting and recombinant ABCB1 as a standard. We then determined the relative portion of transporter residing in the plasma membrane using immunohistochemistry in nonpermeabilized and permeabilized cells. These results enabled us to estimate the concentration of ABCB1 in the plasma membrane in resistant cells. The ABCB1 concentrations in the plasma membrane of drug selected K562/Dox and K562/HHT cells containing the highest amount of transporter reached millimolar levels. Concentrations of ABCB1 in the plasma membrane of resistant K562/DoxDR2, K562/DoxDR1, and K562/DoxDR05 cells with lower transporter expression were proportionally decreased.     

P-glycoprotein mediates resistance to A3 adenosine receptor agonist 2-chloro-N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-n-methyluronamide in human leukemia cells

We studied effects of 2-chloro-N(6)-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (Cl-IB-MECA) on apoptosis induction in the K562/Dox cell line, which overexpressed P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1, MDR1). We found that the K562/Dox cell line was significantly more resistant to Cl-IB-MECA than the maternal cell line K562, which did not express P-gp. Although both cell lines expressed the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), cytotoxic effects of Cl-IB-MECA were not prevented by its selective antagonist MRS1523 (3-propyl-6-ethyl-5-[(ethylthio)carbonyl]-2 phenyl-4-propyl-3-pyridine carboxylate). Analysis of cell extracts revealed that the intracellular level of Cl-IB-MECA was significantly lower in the K562/Dox cell line than in the maternal cell line K562. The downregulation of P-gp expression using shRNA targeting ABCB1 gene led to increased intracellular level of Cl-IB-MECA and restored cell sensitivity to this drug. Similarly, valspodar (PSC-833), a specific inhibitor of P-gp, restored sensitivity of the K562/Dox cell line to Cl-IB-MECA with concomitant increase of intracellular level of Cl-IB-MECA in the resistant cell line, while it affected cytotoxicity of Cl-IB-MECA in the sensitive cell line only marginally. An enzyme based assay provided evidence for interaction of P-gp with Cl-IB-MECA. We further observed that cytotoxic effects of Cl-IB-MECA could be augmented by activation of extrinsic cell death pathway by Apo-2L (TRAIL) but not FasL or TNF-α. Our results revealed that Cl-IB-MECA induced an increase in expression of TRAIL receptors in K562 cells, which could sensitize cells to apoptosis induction via an extrinsic cell death pathway. Importantly, these effects were inversely related to P-gp expression. In addition, MRS1523 did not affect Cl-IB-MECA induced expression of TRAIL receptors.     

Establishment and molecular characterization of decitabine‐resistant K562 cells

The clinical activity of decitabine (5‐aza‐2‐deoxycytidine, DAC), a hypomethylating agent, has been demonstrated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. However, secondary resistance to this agent often occurs during treatment and leads to treatment failure. It is important to clarify the mechanisms underlying the resistance for improving the efficacy. In this study, by gradually increasing concentration after a continuous induction of DAC, we established the DAC‐resistant K562 cell line (K562/DAC) from its parental cell line K562. The proliferation and survival rate of K562/DAC was significantly increased, whereas the apoptosis rate was remarkably decreased than that of K562 after DAC treatment. In K562/DAC, a total of 108 genes were upregulated and 118 genes were downregulated by RNA‐Seq. In addition, we also observed aberrant expression of DDX43/H19/miR‐186 axis (increased DDX43/H19 and decreased miR‐186) in K562/DAC cells. Ectopic expression of DDX43 in parental K562 cells rendered cells resistant to the DAC. Taken together, we successfully established DAC‐resistant K562 cell line which can serve as a good model for investigating DAC resistance mechanisms, and DDX43/H19/miR‐186 may be involved in DAC resistance in K562.     

Antisense oligonucleotides with different backbones. Modification of splicing pathways and efficacy of uptake.

A novel, positive read-out assay that quantifies only sequence-specific nuclear activity of antisense oligonucleotides was used to evaluate morpholino and 2'-O-methyl sugar-phosphate oligonucleotides. The assay is based on modification of the splicing pathway of human beta-globin pre-mRNA. In addition, scrape-loading of cells with oligonucleotides allows the separate assessment of intracellular antisense activity of the oligonucleotides and their ability to penetrate the cell membrane barrier. The results show that, with scrape-loading, the morpholino oligonucleotides were approximately 3-fold more effective in their intrinsic antisense activity than alternating phosphodiester/phosphorothioate 2'-O-methyl-oligoribonucleotides and 6-9- and almost 200-fold more effective than the exclusively phosphorothioate and phosphodiester derivatives, respectively. The morpholino oligonucleotides were over 20-fold more effective than the phosphorothioate 2'-O-methyl-oligoribonucleotides in free uptake from the culture media. The antisense activity of the morpholino oligonucleotides was detectable not only in monolayer HeLa cells but also in suspension K562 cells. Time course experiments suggest that both the free uptake and efflux of morpholino oligonucleotides are slow.     

Inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase pathway sensitizes human leukemia K562 cells to nontoxic concentration of doxorubicin

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a commonly used anthracycline in many antitumor regimens. The dose related Dox-induced cardiotoxicity often poses challenge in clinical practice, lowering its dose and administering it in combination with other compound is an option. In this study, we found that a nontoxic concentration of Dox at 34.5 nM (20 ng/ml) combined with Compound C, an inhibitor used in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, could kill human leukemia K562 cells. Additionally, this study confirmed that the combined effect was related to the inhibition of some key proteins such as AMPK and acetyl CoA carboxylase. Moreover, down-regulation of these key proteins in AMPK pathway using siRNA technology also sensitized K562 cells to nontoxic concentration of Dox. The study also showed that Dox at a concentration of 345.0 nM (200 ng/ml) or 862.0 nM (500 ng/ml) that is lower than a typical value of 1–2 μM Dox in patients could kill human leukemia K562 cells. Taken together, our results suggest that inhibition of AMPK pathway by Compound C or siRNA sensitizes K562 cells to nontoxic concentration of Dox which is much lower than typical concentration in plasma of clinical patients.     

Potential mechanisms of leukemia cell resistance to TRAIL-induced apopotosis

There are many factors contributing to the resistance to TRAIL (Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand)-induced apoptosis. However, it is not clear whether the mechanism of resistance to TRAIL is constitutive or inductive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the resistant mechanisms to TRAIL at different levels in the apoptotic pathway. The human T-lymphoblastic leukemic CEM cell line showed more resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis compared with the human chronic myeloid leukemic K562 cell line. Lower level of constitutive caspase-8 expression in the CEM cell line led to a poor response to both TRAIL-induced activation of caspase-3 and reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential (m). There was no significant difference in the constitutive levels of NF-B in CEM and K562 cell lines. However, CEM cells showed a faster response to TRAIL-induced NF-B activation than K562 cells. TRAIL-induced regulation of Bcl-2 family of proteins included an up-regulation in Bcl-2/Bcl-XL and a down-regulation in Bax. IAPs, such as XIAP, cIAP-1, cIAP-2 and Survivin were all up-regulated during the treatment with TRAIL. In summary, our data suggest that the leukemic cells resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis might be due to the deficiency in the constitutive caspase-8 expression. Development of potential resistance to apoptosis by TRAIL can occur in both TRAIL-resistant and TRAIL-sensitive leukemic cells.     

The isolation of natural killer (NK)-resistant variants of the K562 cell line by mutagenesis and selection with antibodies which inhibit NK cell-mediated lysis

Mechanisms involved in the lysis of tumor cells by natural killer (NK) cells were investigated by using mutagenized K562 targets resistant to the effects of NK cells. K562 cells were treated with the mutagen methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and, to select for resistant mutants, rabbit anti-idiotypic (anti-id) antibodies were used. This anti-id was raised to a monoclonal antibody 9.1C3 which itself blocked lysis by NK cells by binding to the effector cells; the anti-id inhibited killing by binding to the K562 targets, presumably to a cell surface protein relevant to a secondary event in the NK lytic pathway. MMS-derived mutants showed a heterogeneity of staining with the anti-id, allowing the antibody to be used with flow cytometry to select a population of K562 cells relatively negative in antigen expression. The degree of reactivity of K562 cultures with the anti-id antiserum and the resistance to lysis by NK cells were inversely related. Cultures of NK-resistant K562 cells with low expression of the anti-id structure were cloned by limiting dilution: 96 clones were analyzed and one subclone, C9/2, which was six-to sevenfold less sensitive to lysis than the parental K562 cell line, was used in further studies by cold target inhibition and single cell binding assays. The increased resistance to lysis of C9/2 was not due to a reduced expression of target recognition structures, and resistance could not be overcome by prolonging the time allowed for lysis to 18 hr nor by adding exogenous recombinant leukocyte interferon. Killing of the NK-resistant variant was inhibited by mannose-6-phosphate but not by the monoclonal antibody against which the anti-id antibody was raised. It is therefore suggested that the structure on the K562 cells recognized by the anti-id antibodies is a novel secondary receptor which is important in the later stages of the NK cell cytolytic cascade.     

Breast cancer resistance protein directly confers SN-38 resistance of lung cancer cells

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), an ABC half-transporter, is overexpressed in cancer cell lines selected with doxorubicin/verapamil, topotecan, or mitoxantrone. BCRP-overexpressing cells show cross-resistance to camptothecin derivatives such as irinotecan, SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan), and topotecan. To test whether BCRP confers SN-38 resistance, we selected two SN-38 resistant sublines from PC-6 human small-cell lung cancer cells by SN-38, and then characterized these cells. Compared to PC-6 cells, the resistant sublines PC-6/SN2-5 and PC-6/SN2-5H were approximately 18- and 34-fold resistant, respectively. The intracellular SN-38 accumulation was reduced in the sublines, and BCRP mRNA was overexpressed in proportion to the degree of SN-38 resistance. These findings suggest that BCRP confers SN-38 resistance in the sublines. To confirm this hypothesis, PC-6/SN2-5 cells were transfected with antisense oligonucleotides complementary to portions of BCRP mRNA. The antisense oligonucleotides significantly suppressed BCRP mRNA expression, and enhanced SN-38 sensitivity in the subline. These data indicate that BCRP is directly involved with SN-38 resistance, by efflux transport of SN-38.