Transporters ABCC1 Research Articles

Highlights of This Issue

Aerodigestive tract cancer (e.g., carcinomas of lung and esophagus) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. Here, Sato and colleagues identify the cancer-testis antigen WD repeat and HMG-box DNA-binding protein 1 (WDHD1) as a prognostic biomarker for lung and esophageal cancer. Further, they show that WDHD1 is phosphorylated by AKT1 kinase, providing evidence for a possible role of WDHD1 in carcinogenesis. The results here suggest that selective inhibition of WDHD1 expression and/or targeting the enzymatic interaction between AKT1 and WDHD1 could be a promising therapeutic strategy for treatment of aerodigestive tract cancer.Alterations inDNA methylation are common in colorectal carcinogenesis. To comprehensively study DNAmethylation epigenotypes in colorectal cancer, Yagi and colleagues performed genome-wide analyses ofDNA methylation and expression and identified newmethylationmarkers. Clustering of clinical colorectal cancer samples showed three distinctmethylation epigenotypes: high-methylation, intermediatemethylation, and low-methylation. The authors found that the high-methylation epigenotype correlated stronglywith BRAF-mutation status and that the intermediatemethylation epigenotype correlated strongly with KRAS-mutation status. Further, the intermediate-methylation epigenotypewith KRAS-mutation status correlatedwithworse prognosis. Themarkers developed heremay have clinical applicability in predicting survival of patientswith colorectal cancer.Etoposide is widely used for treatment of different malignant neoplasms, but its use is also associated with serious adverse reactions, including leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal toxicity. Using a mouse model, Lagas and colleagues show here that the multidrug transporters P-glycoprotein, ABCC2, and ABCC3 determine the pharmacokinetics of etoposide. Therefore, mutations affecting the expression and/or function of these transporters could result in increased toxicity. However, they also show that P-glycoprotein, ABCC2, and ABCC3 have substantially overlapping functions in the elimination of etoposide, suggesting that patients may be relatively protected from toxicity when just one of these transporters shows reduced expression or function.The secondary T790M mutation in EGFR is the most frequent cause of acquired resistance to reversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) in lung cancer and irreversible EGFRTKIs are potentially useful to overcome resistance to reversible EGFR-TKIs. Here, Yamada and colleagues investigated the development of resistance to irreversible EGFR-TKIs in lung cancer. They show that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) could reduce susceptibility to an irreversible EGFRTKI in lung cancer cells with the secondary T790M mutation in EGFR. Further, they found that inhibitors of HGF-MET could restore sensitivity to the irreversible EGFR-TKI. These findings provide insight into the involvement of HGF-MET-mediated signaling in acquired resistance to irreversible EGFR-TKIs in lung cancer.

ABCC2, ABCC3, and ABCB1, but not CYP3A, Protect against Trabectedin-Mediated Hepatotoxicity

PURPOSE: Trabectedin (Yondelis, ET-743) is a novel anticancer drug with potent activity against various tumors. However, dose-limiting hepatotoxicity was observed during clinical trials. Because recent reports have suggested that cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A), as well as the drug transporters ABCB1, ABCC2, and ABCC3 might protect against trabectedin-mediated hepatotoxicity, we investigated the individual and combined roles of these detoxifying systems. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Madin-Darby canine kidney cells expressing ABCC2 and ABCC3 were used to study in vitro trabectedin transport. We investigated the hepatotoxicity of trabectedin, and the plasma and liver levels of this drug and its metabolites in mice deficient for CYP3A, Abcb1a/1b, Abcc2, and/or Abcc3 after i.v. trabectedin administration. RESULTS: Trabectedin was transported by ABCC2 but only modestly by ABCC3. Contrary to our expectation, absence of CYP3A resulted in only a marginal increase in hepatotoxicity. Some hepatotoxicity was observed in Abcc2(-/-) mice, but very little in Abcb1a/1b(-/-) and Abcc3(-/-) mice. Strikingly, severe hepatotoxicity was found in Abcb1a/1b/Abcc2(-/-) and Abcc2/Abcc3(-/-) mice. However, hepatotoxicity was drastically decreased in Cyp3a/Abcb1a/1b/Abcc2(-/-) compared with Abcb1a/1b/Abcc2(-/-) mice. This suggests that the formation of CYP3A-specific metabolites is an important prerequisite for trabectedin-mediated hepatotoxicity. Further studies revealed that there is increased accumulation of metabolites of trabectedin, but not of trabectedin itself, in the livers of mice that lack Abcc2 but are CYP3A proficient. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that ABCB1, ABCC2, and ABCC3 have a profound and partially redundant function in protection from trabectedin-mediated hepatotoxicity, presumably by clearing the liver from hepatotoxic trabectedin metabolites that are primarily formed by CYP3A. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(24):7616-23).

Twist Modulates Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Transcriptional Regulation of CD24 Expression

The cancer stem cell paradigm postulates that dysregulated tissue-specific stem cells or progenitor cells are precursors for cancer biogenesis. Consequently, identifying cancer stem cells is crucial to our understanding of cancer progression and for the development of novel therapeutic agents. In this study, we demonstrate that the overexpression of Twist in breast cells can promote the generation of a breast cancer stem cell phenotype characterized by the high expression of CD44, little or no expression of CD24, and increased aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 activity, independent of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, Twist-overexpressing cells exhibit high efflux of Hoechst 33342 and Rhodamine 123 as a result of increased expression of ABCC1 (MRP1) transporters, a property of cancer stem cells. Moreover, we show that transient expression of Twist can induce the stem cell phenotype in multiple breast cell lines and that decreasing Twist expression by short hairpin RNA in Twist-overexpressing transgenic cell lines MCF-10A/Twist and MCF-7/Twist as well as in MDA-MB-231 partially reverses the stem cell molecular signature. Importantly, we show that inoculums of only 20 cells of the Twist-overexpressing CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) subpopulation are capable of forming tumors in the mammary fat pad of severe combined immunodeficient mice. Finally, with respect to mechanism, we provide data to indicate that Twist transcriptionally regulates CD24 expression in breast cancer cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate the direct involvement of Twist in generating a breast cancer stem cell phenotype through down-regulation of CD24 expression and independent of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Abcc2 (Mrp2), Abcc3 (Mrp3), and Abcg2 (Bcrp1) are the main determinants for rapid elimination of methotrexate and its toxic metabolite 7-hydroxymethotrexate in vivo

The multidrug transporters ABCC2, ABCC3, and ABCG2 can eliminate potentially toxic compounds from the body and have overlapping substrate specificities. To investigate the overlapping functions of Abcc2, Abcc3, and Abcg2 in vivo, we generated and characterized Abcc3;Abcg2-/- and Abcc2;Abcc3;Abcg2-/- mice. We subsequently analyzed the relative impact of these transport proteins on the pharmacokinetics of the anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX) and its main, toxic, metabolite 7-hydroxymethotrexate (7OH-MTX) after i.v. administration of MTX (50 mg/kg). Whereas in single and double knockout mice, the plasma and liver concentrations of MTX and 7OH-MTX decreased rapidly after MTX administration, in the Abcc2;Abcc3;Abcg2-/- mice, they remained very high. One hour after administration, 67% of the MTX dose was still present in livers of Abcc2;Abcc3;Abcg2-/- mice as MTX or 7OH-MTX versus 7% in wild-type, showing dramatic liver accumulation of these toxic compounds when Abcc2, Abcc3, and Abcg2 were all absent. Furthermore, the urinary and fecal excretion of the nephrotoxic metabolite 7OH-MTX were increased 27- and 7-fold, respectively, in Abcc2;Abcc3;Abcg2-/- mice. Thus, Abcc2, Abcc3, and Abcg2 together mediate the rapid elimination of MTX and 7OH-MTX after i.v. administration and can to a large extent compensate for each other's absence. This may explain why it is still comparatively safe to use a toxic drug such as MTX in the clinic, as the risk of highly increased toxicity due to dysfunctioning of ABCC2, ABCC3, or ABCG2 alone is limited. Nevertheless, cotreatment with possible inhibitors of ABCC2, ABCC3, and ABCG2 should be done with utmost caution when treating patients with methotrexate.

Combined Pharmacophore Modeling, Docking, and 3D QSAR Studies of ABCB1 and ABCC1 Transporter Inhibitors

Quinazolinones, indolo- and pyrrolopyrimidines with inhibitory effects toward ABCB1 (P-gp) and ABCC1 (MRP1) transporters were studied by pharmacophore modeling, docking, and 3D QSAR to describe the binding preferences of the proteins. The pharmacophore overlays between dual and/or highly selective inhibitors point to binding sites of different topology and physiochemical properties for MRP1 and P-gp. Docking of selective inhibitors into the P-gp binding cavity by the use of a structural model based on the recently resolved P-gp structure confirms the P-gp pharmacophore features identified, and reveals the interactions of some functional groups and atoms in the structures with particular protein residues. The 3D QSAR analysis of the dual-effect inhibitors allows satisfactory prediction of the selectivity index of the compounds and outlines electrostatics as most important for selectivity. The results from the combined modeling approach complement each other and could improve our understanding of the protein-ligand interactions involved, and could aid in the development of highly selective and potent inhibitors of P-gp and MRP1.

The mycotoxin zearalenone and its metabolites specifically interact with transporter proteins ABCC1, ABCC2, and ABCC3

The mycotoxin zearalenone and its metabolites specifically interact with transporter proteins ABCC1, ABCC2, and ABCC3

ABCC1 polymorphisms contribute to level and decline of lung function in two population-based cohorts

The ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCC1 [i.e. multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1)] is a membrane-bound pump excreting a variety of xenobiotics from the cell, and thus ABCC1 may play an important role in smoking-related lung function loss and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We earlier showed that bronchial epithelium of COPD patients have lower ABCC1 expression than that of healthy controls, with even further decrements in more severe COPD stages. In line with these results, we now aimed to assess effects of ABCC1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on both the level and the longitudinal course of lung function in the general population. All 51 prevalent (minor allele frequency >5%) and noncorrelated (r<0.8) ABCC1 SNPs were analyzed in two independent, prospective, population-based cohorts, that is, Doetinchem (n = 1152) and Vlagtwedde-Vlaardingen (n = 1390) studies (three and seven median lung function measurements, respectively, per patient), using linear regression and linear mixed-effect models. SNPs rs4148382 and rs212093 in the 3'-ABCC1 region were significantly associated with a higher and lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), respectively, in both the cohorts. Another rs35621 SNP (intron 14) was significantly associated with a highly excessive FEV1 decline in both cohorts. All replicated associations were additionally confirmed by permutation testing. This is the first study showing a significant relationship between ABCC1 SNPs and lung function in two independent cohorts. These SNPs are therefore putative candidates for studies aiming to prevent COPD and investigating pharmacogenetics in established COPD.

Transport−Metabolism Interplay: LXRα-Mediated Induction of Human ABC Transporter ABCC2 (cMOAT/MRP2) in HepG2 Cells

Human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCC2 (cMOAT/MRP2) plays a crucial role in the hepatobiliary transport of sulfate-, glucuronide-, and glutathione-conjugated metabolites as well as a variety of amphiphilic organic anions derived from hepatic metabolism. Molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of this hepatic ABC transporter are of great interest to understand the transport-metabolism interplay in vivo. In the present study, to gain insight into the mechanism of ABCC2 induction, we tested a total of 46 structurally diverse compounds, including nuclear receptor ligands, antibiotics, bile salts, phytochemicals, and anticancer drugs. Among them, we found that LXRalpha ligands, i.e., T0901317, paxilline, and 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, acted potently to induce the expression of ABCC2 at both mRNA and protein levels in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. The ABCC2 induction by T0901317 was dose- and time-dependent, where the induction pattern of ABCC2 was very similar to that of ABCG1, one of the target genes of LXRalpha. The ABCC2 induction by T0901317 was more strongly elicited when the LXRalpha gene was transiently transfected into HepG2 cells. In contrast, ABCC2 induction by T0901317 was attenuated by transient transfection of a dominant negative LXRalpha variant, suggesting that LXRalpha is involved in ABCC2 induction. Interestingly, RXR, a heterodimer partner of LXRalpha, affected the mRNA levels of ABCC2 and ABCG1 differently. ABCC2 induction by T0901317 was enhanced by RXR siRNA treatment, whereas ABCG1 induction was suppressed by the same treatment. This is the first report demonstrating that LXRalpha is potentially involved in ABCC2 induction.

Adenosine Triphosphate–Binding Cassette Subfamily C Member 2 Is the Major Transporter of the Hepatobiliary Imaging Agent 99mTc-Mebrofenin

The organic anion (99m)Tc-N-[2-[(3-bromo-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-amino]-2-oxoethyl]-N-(carboxymethyl)-glycine ((99m)Tc-mebrofenin) and its analogs are widely used for hepatobiliary imaging. Identification of the mechanisms directing bile canalicular transport of these agents will provide insights into the basis of their hepatic handling for assessing perturbations. We performed studies in animals, including healthy Fischer 344 rats or rats treated with carbon tetrachloride or intrasplenic cell transplantation and healthy Wistar rats or HsdAMC:TR-Abcc2 mutant rats in Wistar background. Onset of hepatic inflammation was verified by analysis of carbon uptake in Kupffer cells. Hepatic clearance of (99m)Tc-mebrofenin was studied with dynamic imaging, and fractional retention of peak hepatic mebrofenin activity after 60 min was determined. Changes in the expression of bile canalicular transporters were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots. Carbon tetrachloride and cell transplantation produced hepatic inflammation with activation of Kupffer cells, resulting in a rapid decline in the expression of the bile canalicular transporters Abcb4, Abcb11, and Abcc2. Among these transporters, decreased expression of Abcc2 was most prominent, and this decline persisted for 4 wk. Next, we examined (99m)Tc-mebrofenin excretion in HsdAMC:TR-Abcc2 mutant rats (in which Abcc2 expression is naturally inactivated), compared with their healthy counterparts. In healthy HsdRccHan:WIST rats, only 23% +/- 3% of the peak (99m)Tc-mebrofenin activity was retained after 60 min. By contrast, in HsdAMC:TR-Abcc2 mutant rats, 73% +/- 5% of the peak (99m)Tc-mebrofenin activity was retained (P < 0.001). Moreover, the administration of cyclosporin A markedly inhibited (99m)Tc-mebrofenin excretion in healthy rats, with no further effect on already impaired (99m)Tc-mebrofenin excretion in HsdAMC:TR-Abcc2 mutant rats. Hepatic excretion of (99m)Tc-mebrofenin was largely dependent on Abcc2. This molecular basis of (99m)Tc-mebrofenin excretion will advance studies of pathophysiologic mechanisms in hepatic Abcc2 pathways.

The overexpression of multidrug resistance-associated proteins and gankyrin contribute to arsenic trioxide resistance in liver and gastric cancer cells

Arsenic trioxide has been used as a therapeutic agent for acute promyelocytic leukemia and recently for some solid tumors. Although arsenic trioxide has been shown to significantly inhibit the growth of solid tumor cells in vitro, clinical trials indicate that arsenic trioxide alone is pool active against non-hematologic malignant diseases. To understand the mechanisms of arsenic resistance in solid tumor cells, we established two arsenic-resistant solid tumor cell lines, HepG2/AS and SGC7901/AS, isolated from human liver cancer cell line HepG2 and human gastric cancer cell line SGC7901, respectively, by a series of stepwise selections via treatment with increasing concentrations of arsenic trioxide. Three ABC transporter proteins, ABCB1, ABCC1 and ABCC2, were expressed increasingly and differently in two arsenic-resistant cell lines. Further, tumor suppressor p53 was overexpressed in two arsenic-resistant cell lines, but the levels of p53 mediators MDM2 and gankyrin, which regulate the ubiquitination of p53, increased simultaneously. In addition, an increase in the phosphorylation of Rb at Ser795 in the two cell lines might also result from the presence of MDM2 and gankyrin, which suggest that the inactivation of p53 and Rb contribute to drug resistance. These two arsenic-resistant solid tumor cell lines, HepG2/AS and SGC7901/AS, may be useful for studying the mechanism of arsenic resistance in solid tumors and may provide a way to overcome it.

Non-response to antiepileptic pharmacotherapy is associated with the ABCC2 −24C&gt;T polymorphism in young and adult patients with epilepsy

We aimed to evaluate the association of non-response to antiepileptic pharmacotherapy with the frequency of variant alleles in the drug transporter genes ABCB1 and ABCC2 or in the CYP2C locus in young patients with epilepsy and an independent cohort of adults with drug-refractory epilepsy. A total of 221 pediatric or adolescent Caucasian patients with epilepsy (105 females; age: 14.5+/-6.54 years) were genotyped for nine putatively functionally relevant ABCB1, ABCC2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 polymorphisms. In addition, 70 adult patients (35 females, age: 41.9+/-11.5 years) with drug-refractory epilepsy who had earlier undergone neurosurgical therapy were genotyped and partly (n = 22) investigated for hippocampal ABCB1 and ABCC2 mRNA expression. Finally, 242 healthy volunteers (167 females, age: 27.0+/-6.77 years) from the same region were included as controls. The young cohort consisted of 103 (46.6%) responders and 118 (53.4%) non-responders to the first-line anticonvulsant. Carriers of the putatively low-expression ABCC2 -24T variant were significantly overrepresented among non-responders [odds ratio (OR) 2.15 (1.16-3.99); P = 0.016)]. This overrepresentation was confirmed by comparing young responders with adult drug-refractory patients [OR 3.36 (1.71-6.59); P<0.001]. Conversely, ABCB1 genotype distribution did not significantly differ between young responders and non-responders or adult drug-refractory patients. Excluding patients with febrile convulsions, heterozygous CYP2C8*4 [OR 0.35 (0.13-0.95); P = 0.038] and CYP2C9*3 [OR 0.34 (0.14-0.81); P = 0.015] variant allele carriers were underrepresented among non-responders. ABCC2 -24C>T genotype did not affect hippocampal ABCC2 expression, but was associated with increased ABCB1 expression (P = 0.034). These data suggest a higher risk of antiepileptic drug failure in ABCC2 -24T allele carriers possibly because of compensatory upregulation of ABCB1.

Functionally Overlapping Roles of Abcg2 (Bcrp1) and Abcc2 (Mrp2) in the Elimination of Methotrexate and Its Main Toxic Metabolite 7-Hydroxymethotrexate In vivo

ABCC2 (MRP2) and ABCG2 (BCRP) transport various endogenous and exogenous compounds, including many anticancer drugs, into bile, feces, and urine. We investigated the possibly overlapping roles of Abcg2 and Abcc2 in the elimination of the anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX) and its toxic metabolite 7-hydroxymethotrexate (7OH-MTX). We generated and characterized Abcc2;Abcg2(-/-) mice, and used these to determine the overlapping roles of Abcc2 and Abcg2 in the elimination of MTX and 7OH-MTX after i.v. administration of 50 mg/kg MTX. Compared with wild-type, the plasma areas under the curve (AUC) for MTX were 1.6-fold and 2.0-fold higher in Abcg2(-/-) and Abcc2(-/-) mice, respectively, and 3.3-fold increased in Abcc2;Abcg2(-/-) mice. The biliary excretion of MTX was 23-fold reduced in Abcc2;Abcg2(-/-) mice, and the MTX levels in the small intestine were dramatically decreased. Plasma levels of 7OH-MTX were not significantly altered in Abcg2(-/-) mice, but the areas under the curve were 6.2-fold and even 12.4-fold increased in Abcc2(-/-) and Abcc2;Abcg2(-/-) mice, respectively. This indicates that Abcc2 compensates for Abcg2 deficiency but that Abcg2 can only partly compensate for Abcc2 absence. Furthermore, 21-fold decreased biliary 7OH-MTX excretion in Abcc2;Abcg2(-/-) mice and substantial 7OH-MTX accumulation in the liver and kidney were seen. We additionally found that in the absence of Abcc2, Abcg2 mediated substantial urinary excretion of MTX and 7OH-MTX. Abcc2 and Abcg2 together are major determinants of MTX and 7OH-MTX pharmacokinetics. Variations in ABCC2 and/or ABCG2 activity due to polymorphisms or coadministered inhibitors may therefore substantially affect the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity in patients treated with MTX.

Up-regulation of hepatic ABCC2, ABCG2, CYP1A1 and GST in multixenobiotic-resistant killifish ( Fundulus heteroclitus) from the Sydney Tar Ponds, Nova Scotia, Canada

Cellular defence against accumulation of toxic xenobiotics includes metabolism by phase I and II enzymes and export of toxicants and their metabolites via ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Liver gene expression of representatives of these three protein groups was examined in a population of multixenobiotic-resistant killifish ( Fundulus heteroclitus) from the Sydney Tar Ponds, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Tar Ponds are heavily polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals. The relationship among ABC transporters ABCB1, ABCB11, ABCC2, ABCG2, phase I enzyme cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and phase II enzyme glutathione- S-transferase (GST-mu) was investigated by quantifying hepatic transcript abundance. In Tar Pond killifish, hepatic mRNA expression levels of ABCC2, ABCG2, CYP1A1 and GST-mu were elevated compared to reference sites, suggesting that hydrophobic contaminants undergo phase I and II metabolism and are then excreted into the bile of these fish. Hepatic ABCB1 and ABCB11 mRNA were not up-regulated in Tar Pond fish compared to two reference sites, indicating that these two proteins are not involved in conferring multixenobiotic resistance to Tar Pond killifish. The results suggest instead that liver up-regulation of phase I and II enzymes and complementary ABC transporters ABCC2 and ABCG2 may confer contaminant resistance to Tar Pond fish.

Involvement of the ABC-transporter ABCC1 and the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor subtype S1P3 in the cytoprotection of human fibroblasts by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone

Glucocorticoids (GC) represent the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory skin diseases. However, the topical long-term therapy of GC is limited by the occurrence of skin atrophy. Most interestingly, although GC inhibit proliferation of human fibroblasts, they exert a pronounced anti-apoptopic action. In the present study, we further elucidated the molecular mechanism of the GC dexamethasone (Dex) to protect human fibroblasts from programmed cell death. Dex not only significantly alters the expression of the cytosolic isoenzyme sphingosine kinase 1 but also initiated an enhanced intracellular formation of the sphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). Investigations using S1P (3) ((-/-)) -fibroblasts revealed that this S1P-receptor subtype is essential for the Dex-induced cytoprotection. Moreover, we demonstrate that the ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-transporter ABCC1 is upregulated by Dex and may represent a crucial carrier to transport S1P from the cytosol to the S1P(3)-receptor subtype.

Expression and activity of the efflux transporters ABCB1, ABCC2 and ABCG2 in the human colorectal carcinoma cell line LS513

The human colorectal carcinoma cell line LS513 exhibits epithelial morphology, adherent properties and can grow subcutaneously to form tumors in nude mice. Thus, it is a potential model for mouse xenograft efficacy studies. The present study characterized the expression and activity of P-gp, BCRP and MRP2 in LS513 cells. We investigated the expression of these ATP-binding cassette transporters by Western blot and their activity was also examined using cell culture inserts, where the LS513 cells were grown to confluence for 9 days. The transport of model substrates of P-gp (amprenavir, ritonavir and topotecan), BCRP (topotecan) and MRP2 (SN-38) was studied in the apical to basolateral (A–B) and basolateral to apical (B–A) directions. P-gp, BCRP and MRP2 could be detected by western blot. The LS513 cells exhibited markedly higher transport in the B–A direction than in the A–B direction for the probe substrates tested, with efflux ratios (ERs; B–A/A–B) of 10, 21, 40 and 50 for amprenavir, ritonavir, topotecan and SN38, respectively. The ER could be significantly reduced with the addition of inhibitors of P-gp (GF120918), BCRP (FTC), and MRP2 (MK571), confirming the activity of these transporters in the LS513 cells.

Cediranib (recentin, AZD2171) reverses ABCB1- and ABCC1-mediated multidrug resistance by inhibition of their transport function

Cediranib (recentin, AZD2171) is an oral small-molecule multiple receptor tyrosine kinases inhibitor. Here we investigate the ability of cediranib to reverse tumor multidrug resistance (MDR) due to overexpression of ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) and ABCC1 (MRP1) transporters. KBv200,MCF-7/adr, C-A120 and their parental sensitive cell lines KB, MCF-7 and KB-3-1 were used for reversal study. The intracellular accumulations of doxorubicin and rhodamine 123 were determined by flow cytometry. The expressions levels of ABCB1 and ABCC1 were investigated by Western blot and RT-PCR analyses. ATPase activity assay were performed by Luminescence. The functions of ERK in MCF-7/adr were investigated by RNA interference. Cediranib significantly enhanced the sensitivity of ABCB1 or ABCC1 substrates in MDR cells, with no effect found on sensitive cells. However, the expressions of these transporters were not affected and the reversal activity of cediranib was not related to the phosphorylation of AKT or ERK1/2. Further studies showed that cediranib inhibited ATPase activity of ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) in a dose-dependent manner. Cediranib reverses ABCB1- and ABCC1-mediated MDR by directly inhibiting their drug efflux function. These findings may be useful for cancer combinational therapy with cediranib in the clinic.

Expression of ABCC-Type Nucleotide Exporters in Blasts of Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Relation to Long-term Survival

Successful treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge, with a high percentage of patients suffering from persistent or relapsed disease. Resistance to drug therapy can develop from increased drug export and/or altered intracellular signaling. Both mechanisms are mediated by the efflux transporters ABCC4 (MRP4), ABCC5 (MRP5), and ABCC11 (MRP8), which are involved in cellular efflux of endogenous signaling molecules (e.g., cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate) and nucleoside analogues. The nucleoside analogue cytosine arabinoside (AraC) is administered to all patients with AML. Expression of ABCC transporters MRP4, MRP5, and MRP8 in blast samples from 50 AML patients was investigated by real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis and correlated with clinical outcome measures. Accumulation of radiolabeled AraC, transport of AraC metabolites, and AraC cytotoxicity were analyzed in MRP8-transfected LLC-PK1 cells. Regression analysis revealed that high expression of MRP8 is associated with a low probability of overall survival assessed over 4 years (P<0.03). MRP8-transfected LLC-PK1 cells accumulated reduced intracellular levels of AraC (63% of the parental vector-transfected LLC-PK1 control cells) as well as AraC metabolites. Furthermore, AraC monophosphate was transported by MRP8-enriched membrane vesicles (116+/-6 versus 65+/-13 pmol/mg/10 minutes by control vesicles), and MRP8-transfected cells were resistant to AraC. These data suggest that MRP8 is differentially expressed in AML blasts, that expression of MRP8 serves as a predictive marker for treatment outcome in AML, and that efflux of AraC metabolites by MRP8 is a mechanism that contributes to resistance of AML blasts.

ABCB1 and ABCC1 expression in peripheral mononuclear cells is influenced by gene polymorphisms and atorvastatin treatment

This study investigated the effects of atorvastatin on ABCB1 and ABCC1 mRNA expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and their relationship with gene polymorphisms and lowering-cholesterol response. One hundred and thirty-six individuals with hypercholesterolemia were selected and treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/day/4 weeks). Blood samples were collected for serum lipids and apolipoproteins measurements and DNA and RNA extraction. ABCB1 (C3435T and G2677T/A) and ABCC1 (G2012T) gene polymorphisms were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction (PCR)-RFLP and mRNA expression was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by singleplex real-time PCR. ABCB1 polymorphisms were associated with risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) ( p < 0.05). After atorvastatin treatment, both ABCB1 and ABCC1 genes showed 50% reduction of the mRNA expression ( p < 0.05). Reduction of ABCB1 expression was associated with ABCB1 G2677T/A polymorphism ( p = 0.039). Basal ABCB1 mRNA in the lower quartile (<0.024) was associated with lower reduction rate of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (33.4 ± 12.4%) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) (17.0 ± 31.3%) when compared with the higher quartile (>0.085: LDL-c = 40.3 ± 14.3%; apoB = 32.5 ± 10.7%; p < 0.05). ABCB1 substrates or inhibitors did not affect the baseline expression, while ABCB1 inhibitors reversed the effects of atorvastatin on both ABCB1 and ABCC1 transporters. In conclusion, ABCB1 and ABCC1 mRNA levels in PBMC are modulated by atorvastatin and ABCB1 G2677T/A polymorphism and ABCB1 baseline expression is related to differences in serum LDL cholesterol and apoB in response to atorvastatin.

Differential expression of the multidrug resistance‐related proteins ABCb1 and ABCc1 between blood‐brain interfaces

Cerebral homeostasis results from the presence of the protective blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers located respectively at the brain capillary endothelium and the choroid plexus epithelium. ABCb1 (Pgp) and ABCc1 (Mrp1) transporters are two major proteins of neuroprotection whose localization and functional significance at both barriers remain partly unsettled. We conducted a comparative analysis of their relative protein content between the two blood-brain interfaces. Microvessels and choroid plexuses located in the fourth and lateral ventricles were isolated from developing and adult rat brains, and whole homogenates were submitted to quantitative Western blot analysis by using standard curves generated from one of the samples. In adult, choroid plexus-associated Pgp content was less than 0.5% of the level in microvessels, whereas Mrp1 content in microvessels was 4% of that in the fourth ventricle choroid plexus. Pgp but not Mrp1 was enriched in microvessels over parenchyma. In choroid plexuses, Mrp1 displayed a basolateral epithelial localization, and reached its high adult protein level, early during postnatal development. In postnatal as in adult microvessels, Pgp localization appeared luminal. However, by contrast to Mrp1, the level of this transporter increased 4.6-fold between 9-day-old and adult animals. Western blot analysis of human samples confirmed the mirror image of Pgp and Mrp1 expression between the two barriers. We conclude that there are major differences in the mechanisms by which blood-brain interfaces fulfill their neuroprotective functions. The data also highlight the significance of the neuroprotective function of the choroid plexus during brain maturation, when the microvasculature is still developing.

Interaction of plant cannabinoids with the multidrug transporter ABCC1 (MRP1)

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCC1, or multidrug resistance-related protein 1 (MRP1) is implicated in Phase II metabolism and multidrug resistance as it effluxes substrate anticancer drugs. As cannabinoids inhibit two related ABC transporters, P-glycoprotein and ABCG2, here we examined whether they also inhibit ABCC1. Indeed, the cannabinoids enhanced the intracellular accumulation of two ABCC1 substrates, Fluo3 and vincristine, in ovarian carcinoma cells over-expressing ABCC1 (2008/ MRP1) with a rank order of potency: cannabidiol > cannabinol > Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Cannabinoid inhibition of ABCC1 was confirmed using insect cell membrane MRP1 ATPase assays. These results demonstrate that cannabinoids inhibit ABCC1.