Role of P-glycoprotein in accumulation and cytotoxicity of amrubicin and amrubicinol in MDR1 gene-transfected LLC-PK1 cells and human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells

Amrubicin is a completely synthetic 9-aminoanthracycline agent for the treatment of lung cancer in Japan. The cytotoxicity of C-13 hydroxy metabolite, amrubicinol, is 10 to 100 times greater than that of amrubicin. The transporters responsible for the intracellular pharmacokinetics of amrubicin and amrubicinol remains unclear. This study was aimed to determine whether P-glycoprotein (P-gp) plays functional and preventive role in cellular accumulation and cytotoxicity of amrubicin and its active metabolite amrubicinol by in vitro transport and toxicity experiments. Cytotoxicity and intracellular accumulation of amrubicin and amrubicinol were evaluated by LLC-PK1 cells, MDR1 gene-transfected LLC-PK1 (L-MDR1) cells overexpressing P-gp, and human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. L-MDR1 cells showed 6- and 12-fold greater resistance to amrubicin and amrubicinol, respectively, than the parental LLC-PK1 cells. The intracellular accumulation of both drugs in L-MDR1 cells was significantly reduced compared to the LLC-PK1 cells. The basal-to-apical transepithelial transport of both drugs markedly exceeded, whereas the apical-to-basal transport of both drugs was significantly lower in L-MDR1 cells than LLC-PK1 cells. Cyclosporin A (CyA) restored the sensitivity, intracellular accumulation and transport activity for both drugs in L-MDR1 cells. In A549 cells, CyA significantly increased the intracellular accumulation and cytotoxicity of both drugs. These findings indicated that P-gp is responsible for cellular accumulation and cytotoxicity of both amrubicin and amrubicinol, therefore suggesting that the antitumor effect of amrubicin could be affected by the expression level of P-gp in lung cancer cells in chemotherapeutic treatments.     

Preferential efflux by P-glycoprotein, but not MRP1, of compounds containing a free electron donor amine

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in model systems is known to be conferred by two different integral proteins, the 170-kDa P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and the 190-kDa multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1), both of which pump drugs out of MDR cells. The presence of a nitrogen atom, charged at physiological pH, has frequently been considered to be a hallmark of P-gp substrates and inhibitors. The present study was aimed at investigating the role of nitrogen in the ability of the pump to recognise substrate. We measured the kinetics of active efflux of seven new anthracycline derivatives in P-gp-expressing K562/ADR cells and in MRP1-expressing GLC4/ADR cells. Six of these compounds represent analogues of daunorubicin in which the amino sugar nitrogen is bound to an amino- or a nitro-substituted benzyl moiety, the seventh is a doxorubicin derivative in which benzyl group is bound with 4'-oxygen. We found that the compounds with a nitro group on the benzyl ring were poor substrates for P-gp despite the presence of a secondary amine that can be protonated. In contrast, compounds that have a free amino group were very good substrates even though this amine is not protonated in the pH range studied (pK approximately 3). These results show that the nitrogen atom does not interact with P-gp in a charged form but rather as an electron donating group.     

黄酮类化合物对肿瘤多药耐药调节作用的研究进展

多药耐药是临床上化疗失败的重要原因之一。黄酮类化合物存在于多种植物中,具有广泛的药理活性,对P-糖蛋白(P-gp)、多药耐药相关蛋白(MRP)、乳腺癌耐药蛋白(BCRP)等外向转运蛋白的抑制作用使其可能成为肿瘤多药耐药调节剂。文中分别对黄酮类化合物对ABC家族转运蛋白抑制作用的研究概况、作用机制以及构效关系进行综述,为肿瘤多药耐药抑制剂的开发和应用提供重要信息。     

Multidrug resistance correlates with overexpression of Muc4 but inversely with P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance related protein in transfected human melanoma cells

Due to the size, glycosylation, and location in the plasma membrane of the sialomucin complex Muc4, which has been implicated in ErbB2 signaling, in the repression of apoptosis and cell adhesion, and in tumor metastasis, studies were initiated to determine whether its presence could influence cell sensitivity to anticancer drugs. Growth inhibition assays using melanoma cell lines that either express the glycoprotein (Muc4(+)) or do not (Muc4(-)) showed that Muc4 renders cells resistant to taxol, doxorubicin, vinblastine, rhodamine 123, and 2-deoxyglucose. When treated with various concentrations of doxorubicin, Muc4(+) cells were blocked less frequently in G(2) and underwent less DNA fragmentation (apoptosis and/or necrosis) than Muc4(-) cells. All of the drugs tested (except for 2-deoxyglucose) are well recognized by P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) and to a lesser degree by multidrug resistance related protein 1 (MRP1) transporters. Therefore, transporter gene expression in these cells was assayed. Surprisingly, Muc4(+) cells expressed lower levels of both transporter genes than Muc4(-) cells. Moreover, rhodamine 123 was retained more highly in the Muc4(+) than in the Muc4(-) cells, demonstrating that these transporters are functional. Overall, these results indicate that although Muc4(+) cells express less MDR1 and MRP1, they are more resistant to drugs recognized by these transporters.     

Effects of alkyl gallates on P-glycoprotein function

In this study, we examined the effects of the food antioxidants, alkyl gallates, on the function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and elucidated the importance of alkyl chains and gallic acid moieties on the activity of P-gp. We examined the effects of three alkyl (n-butyl, n-octyl and n-dodecyl) gallates and their related compounds on the cellular accumulation and efflux of rhodamine 123 and daunorubicin in P-gp overexpressing KB-C2 cells. Alkyl gallates increased the cellular accumulation of these P-gp substrates dependent on their alkyl chain lengths by inhibiting the efflux of the substrates. n-Dodecylresorcinol also increased the accumulation, but its effect was less than that of n-dodecyl gallate. However, either lauric acid or n-dodecyl-beta-d-maltoside, which does not have a phenol group, did not increase the accumulation. The results indicated that both the gallic acid moiety and a long alkyl chain play important roles in the modification of P-gp function. The cytotoxicity of daunorubicin was recovered in the presence of alkyl gallates possibly due to their inhibition of P-gp function.     

Enhanced Corneal Absorption of Erythromycin by Modulating P-Glycoprotein and MRP Mediated Efflux with Corticosteroids

Purpose  The objectives were (i) to test in vivo functional activity of MRP2 on rabbit corneal epithelium and (ii) to evaluate modulation of P-gp and MRP2 mediated efflux of erythromycin when co-administered with corticosteroids. Methods  Cultured rabbit primary corneal epithelial cells (rPCECs) was employed as an in vitro model for rabbit cornea. Cellular accumulation and bi-directional transport studies were conducted across Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells overexpressing MDR1 and MRP2 proteins to delineate transporter specific interaction of steroids. Ocular pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in rabbits following a single-dose infusion of erythromycin in the presence of specific inhibitors and steroids. Results  Bi-directional transport of erythromycin across MDCK-MDR1 and MDCK-MRP2 cells showed significant difference between BL-AP and AP-BL permeability, suggesting that erythromycin is a substrate for P-gp and MRP2. Cellular accumulation of erythromycin in rPCEC was inhibited by steroids in a dose dependent manner. MK571, a specific MRP inhibitor, modulated the aqueous humor concentration of erythromycin in vivo. Even, steroids inhibited P-gp and MRP2 mediated efflux with maximum increase in k _a, AUC_{0 − ∞}, C _max and C _last values of erythromycin, observed with 6α-methyl prednisolone. Conclusion  MRP2 is functionally active along with P-gp in effluxing drug molecules out of corneal epithelium. Steroids were able to significantly inhibit both P-gp and MRP2 mediated efflux of erythromycin.     

Effects of polyoxyethylene (40) stearate on the activity of P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P450

The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of polyoxyethylene (40) stearate (PS), a non-ionic surfactant, on the activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and six major cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms. An in vitro diffusion chamber system was utilized to estimate the effects of PS concentration on the transport characteristics of Rhodamine 123 (R123) and Rhodamine 110 (R110), a standard P-gp substrate and nonsubstrate, respectively, across the excised intestinal segments of rat. Caco-2 cells were cultured to investigate the mechanisms by estimating the effects of PS on intracellular ATP levels, P-gp ATPase activity and membrane fluidity. The obtained results showed that PS inhibited P-gp mediated efflux in a concentration-dependent manner mainly by modulating substrate-stimulated P-gp ATPase activity. On the other hand, human liver microsomes were utilized to examine the inhibitive potential of PS on six major CYP isoforms. Inhibitive potential on two of these CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 was found to be clinically significant. In conclusion, PS is potentially useful as a pharmaceutical ingredient to improve the oral bioavailability of coadministered P-gp substrates and substrates for certain CYP isoforms.     

洛美利嗪对大鼠脑微血管内皮细胞上P-糖蛋白活力的影响与P-gp及mdr1基因mRNA表达无关

目的：研究洛美利嗪对原代培养的大鼠脑微血管内皮细胞（RBMECs）上P-糖蛋白（P-gP）功能和表达的影响。方法：使用流式细胞术分析洛美利嗪对P-gp底物-罗丹明123（rhodaminel23，Rh123）在RBMECs中外排的影响，使用流式细胞术分析了洛美利嗪对RBMECs上P-gp表达的影响，应用RT-PCR技术分析了洛美利嗪对RBMECs mdr1基因mRNA水平表达的影响，还使用Transwell模型研究了洛美利嗪对Rh123通透RBMECs单层细胞转运的影响。结果：洛美利嗪通过抑制了RBMECs胞内Rh123的外排；洛美利嗪对P—gP功能的影响与RBMECs上P-gp及mdr1基因mRNA表达无关；在Transwell模型中，洛美利嗪还能显著增加Rh123跨RBMECs单层细胞膜的、经上室至下室的转运，并抑制相反方向的Rh123的转运。结论：洛美利嗪能显著地抑制RBMECs上P-gp的活性，并对P-gp底物的跨细胞转运产生影响。     

Effects of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and the drug transporters P-glycoprotein (MDR1/ABCB1) and MRP2 (ABCC2) on the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir

Background and purpose:

Lopinavir is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and is considered to be a substrate for the drug transporters ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) and ABCC2 (MRP2). Here, we have assessed the individual and combined effects of CYP3A, ABCB1 and ABCC2 on the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir and the relative importance of intestinal and hepatic metabolism. We also evaluated whether ritonavir increases lopinavir oral bioavailability by inhibition of CYP3A, ABCB1 and/or ABCC2.

Experimental approach:

Lopinavir transport was measured in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells expressing ABCB1 or ABCC2. Oral lopinavir kinetics (+/− ritonavir) was studied in mice with genetic deletions of Cyp3a, Abcb1a/b and/or Abcc2, or in transgenic mice expressing human CYP3A4 exclusively in the liver and/or intestine.

Key results:

Lopinavir was transported by ABCB1 but not by ABCC2 in vitro. Lopinavir area under the plasma concentration – time curve (AUC)_oral was increased in Abcb1a/b^−/− mice (approximately ninefold vs. wild-type) but not in Abcc2^−/− mice. Increased lopinavir AUC_oral (>2000-fold) was observed in cytochrome P450 3A knockout (Cyp3a^−/−) mice compared with wild-type mice. No difference in AUC_oral between Cyp3a^−/− and Cyp3a/Abcb1a/b/Abcc2^−/− mice was observed. CYP3A4 activity in intestine or liver, separately, reduced lopinavir AUC_oral (>100-fold), compared with Cyp3a^−/− mice. Ritonavir markedly increased lopinavir AUC_oral in all CYP3A-containing mouse strains.

Conclusions and implications:

CYP3A was the major determinant of lopinavir pharmacokinetics, far more than Abcb1a/b. Both intestinal and hepatic CYP3A activity contributed importantly to low oral bioavailability of lopinavir. Ritonavir increased lopinavir bioavailability primarily by inhibiting CYP3A. Effects of Abcb1a/b were only detectable in the presence of CYP3A, suggesting saturation of Abcb1a/b in the absence of CYP3A activity.     

Modulation of P-glycoprotein activity by the substituted quinoxalinone compound QA3 in adriamycin-resistant K562/A02 cells

QA3 is a derivative of the substituted 1,3-dimethyl-1H-quinoxalin-2-ones, which are compounds that may selectively antagonize P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in multidrug resistance (MDR) cancer cells. Our previous work identified QA3 as a candidate compound for reversing MDR in cancer cells. In the present study, we found that QA3 significantly decreases the intracellular level of ATP, stimulates ATPase activity in membrane microsomes and decreases protein kinase C (PKC) activity. These results indicated that QA3 inhibits P-gp activity by blocking ATP hydrolysis and ATP regeneration. Furthermore, QA3 triggered and increased adriamycin-induced K562/A02 cell apoptosis as evidenced by Annexin V-FITC plus PI staining. Western blot analysis showed that the levels of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins increased, and similarly, the levels of procaspase-9 and procaspase-3 decreased after QA3 treatment. Consequently, poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) activity increased as evidenced by the presence of the PARP cleavage product in K562/A02 cells. QA3 also enhanced the potency of adriamycin against K562/A02 cells as demonstrated by increased apoptosis and activation of caspase-9,-3 and PARP. These data support the observation that P-gp activity is inhibited after QA3 treatment. Moreover, these results indicate that QA3 is a novel MDR reversal agent with potent inhibitory action against P-gp MDR cancer cells.     

Induction of proteins involved in multidrug resistance (P-glycoprotein, MRP1, MRP2, LRP) and of CYP 3A4 by rifampicin in LLC-PK1 cells

P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance-related proteins (MRPs) and lung resistance-related protein (LRP) are involved in multidrug resistance in tumor cells but are also expressed in normal tissues. In the LLC-PK(1) tubular renal cell line, a 15-day treatment with 25 microM rifampicin significantly increased the mRNA levels of P-glycoprotein, MRP1, MRP2, LRP and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP 3A4). Western blot analysis confirmed a moderate increase in the expression of P-glycoprotein and MRP2, but not MRP1 also at the protein level. The intracellular uptake of doxorubicin was significantly lower in rifampicin pretreated cells. A pretreatment with 6-[82S,4R,6E)-4-methyl-2-(methylamino)-3-oxo-6-octenoic acid]cyclosporin D, valspodar (PSC 833), a specific inhibitor of P-glycoprotein, with (3-(3-(2-(7-chloro-2-quinidinyl)ethenyl-phenyl)((3-diimethyl amino-3oxo propyl)thio)methyl)thio)propanoic acid, sodium salt (MK-571), a specific inhibitor of MRP1, and with verapamil, that inhibits both proteins, significantly increased doxorubicin cell accumulation in rifampicin pretread cells. In rifampicin treated cells cultured on porous membranes, doxorubicin showed a polarized transport, that was reduced by a pretreatment with PSC 833. A chronic treatment with rifampicin induces the expression of transport proteins and of CYP 3A4 and could therefore alter the renal elimination kinetics of drugs that are their substrates.     

Influence of MRP1 G1666A and GSTP1 Ile105Val genetic variants on the urinary and blood arsenic levels of Turkish smelter workers

To understand the cellular mechanisms responsible for arsenic metabolism and transport pathways plays a fundamental role in order to prevent the arsenic-induced toxicity. The effect of MRP1 G1666A and GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphisms on blood and urinary arsenic levels were determined in 95 Turkish smelter workers. Blood and urinary arsenic concentrations were measured by GF-AAS with Zeeman correction and gene polymorphisms were investigated by PCR-RFLP method. The mean blood and urinary arsenic levels were 21.60 ± 12.28 μg/L and 5.58 ± 4.37 μg/L, respectively. A significant association between MRP1 1666A allele and urinary arsenic levels was found (p = 0.001). GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism was detected not to be associated with either blood or urinary arsenic levels (p = 0.384, p = 0.440, respectively). Significant association was also detected between MRP1A^-/GSTP1Val⁻ genotypes and urinary arsenic levels (p = 0.001). This study suggested that MRP1 G1666A alone and, also, combined with GSTP1 Ile105Val were associated with inter-individual variations in urinary arsenic levels, but not with blood arsenic levels.     

Lapatinib and erlotinib are potent reversal agents for MRP7 (ABCC10)-mediated multidrug resistance

In recent years, a number of TKIs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family have been synthesized and some have been approved for clinical treatment of cancer by the FDA. We recently reported a new pharmacological action of the 4-anilinoquinazoline derived EGFR TKIs, such as lapatinib (Tykerb^®) and erlotinib (Tarceva^®), which significantly affect the drug resistance patterns in cells expressing the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. Previously, we showed that lapatinib and erlotinib could inhibit the drug efflux function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) and ABCG2 transporters. In this study, we determined if these TKIs have the potential to reverse MDR due to the presence of the multidrug resistance protein 7 (MRP7, ABCC10). Our results showed that lapatinib and erlotinib dose-dependently enhanced the sensitivity of MRP7-transfected HEK293 cells to several established MRP7 substrates, specifically docetaxel, paclitaxel, vinblastine and vinorelbine, whereas there was no or a less effect on the control vector transfected HEK293 cells. [³H]-paclitaxel accumulation and efflux studies demonstrated that lapatinib and erlotinib increased the intracellular accumulation of [³H]-paclitaxel and inhibited the efflux of [³H]-paclitaxel from MRP7-transfected cells but not in the control cell line. Lapatinib is a more potent inhibitor of MRP7 than erlotinib. In addition, the Western blot analysis revealed that both lapatinib and erlotinib did not significantly affect MRP7 expression. We conclude that the EGFR TKIs, lapatinib and erlotinib reverse MRP7-mediated MDR through inhibition of the drug efflux function, suggesting that an EGFR TKI based combinational therapy may be applicable for chemotherapeutic practice clinically.     

Functional studies on the activity of efflux transporters in an ex vivo model with chicken splenocytes and evaluation of selected fluoroquinolones in this model

The efflux proteins P-glycoprotein (P-gp), BCRP and members of the MRP-family (MRPs) are increasingly recognized as determinants of the absorption, tissue distribution and excretion of numerous drugs. A widely applied in vitro screening method, to assess the effect of these efflux transporters in transmembrane transport of drugs is based on the use of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), in which the efflux of fluorescent dye Rhodamine 123 (Rh-123) can be easily measured. In avian species, the isolation of PBMCs is compromised by the presence of thrombocytes having approximately the same size. As an alternative, we validated the use of isolated splenocytes to assess Rhodamine 123 transport in the presence and absence of specific inhibitors for P-gp, MRPs and BCRP. Rh-123 efflux was concentration-dependent with the percentage of efflux that decreased with increasing concentrations. P-gp inhibitors, PSC833 and GF120918, significantly inhibit Rh-123 efflux, whereas inhibitors for MRPs and BCRP, MK571 and Ko-143, respectively, have a limited inhibitory effect. However, the effect of GF120918 was more pronounced as compared to PSC833, suggesting an additional role for BCRP next to P-gp in Rh-123 efflux. Moreover, fluoroquinolones were selected to test the applicability of the described model. None of these fluoroquinolones significantly inhibit P-gp function at concentrations up to 50 microM, with exception of danofloxacin and danofloxacin mesylate that were found to reduce Rh-123 efflux by approximately 15%.     

Epithelial transport of deoxynivalenol: involvement of human P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (ABCC2).

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a major mycotoxic contaminant of cereal grains in Europe and North America. Human and animal contamination occurs mainly orally, and the toxin must traverse the intestinal epithelial barrier before inducing potential health effects. This study investigates the mechanisms of DON transepithelial transfer. Investigations using the human intestinal Caco-2 cell line showed a basal-to-apical polarized transport of the toxin. Both apical-basolateral (AP-BL) and basolateral-apical (BL-AP) transfers were time- and concentration-dependent, and not saturable between 5 and 30 microM DON. Arrhenius plot analysis revealed that transfer of 10 microM DON was temperature-dependent, with apparent activation energy E(a)=3.2 kcal mol(-1) in the AP-BL direction, and E(a)=10.4 kcal mol(-1) in the BL-AP direction. Intracellular DON accumulation was increased and DON efflux was decreased by ATP depletion, by P-glycoprotein inhibitor valspodar and by MRP2 inhibitor MK571, but not by BCRP inhibitor Ko143. Intracellular DON accumulation was then investigated using epithelial cell lines transfected with human P-glycoprotein or MRP2. This accumulation was decreased in LLCPK1-MDR1 and MDCKII-MRP2 cells, compared to wild-type cells, and the decrease could be reversed by valspodar or MK571. Taken together, these results suggest that DON is a substrate for both P-glycoprotein and MRP2.     

Influence of the MDR1 haplotype and CYP3A5 genotypes on cyclosporine blood level in Chinese renal transplant recipients

1. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the influence of multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) haplotype and CYP3A5 genotype on cyclosporine (CsA) blood level in Chinese renal transplant recipients.

2. CsA trough level (C₀) and peak level (C₂) of 115 patients 1 week and 1 month after renal transplantation were determined. MDR1 C1236T, G2677T/A, C3435T and CYP3A5*3 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays based on amplification refractory mutation.

3. Dose-adjusted C₀ (C₀/D), C₂ (C₂/D) were 50.5?±?22.5, 267.8?±?110.1 ng·kg·(ml·mg)^?1 after 1 week of therapy, and 79.3?±?29.4, 406.0?±?135.3 ng·kg·(ml·mg)^?1 after 1 month of therapy. Frequencies of MDR1 haplotype TTT, CGC, and TGC were 27.0%, 25.2% and 20.0%, respectively. After 1 month of therapy, C₂/D of TTT/TTT patients were 30% (p = 0.057) and 53% (p = 0.003) higher than CGC/TTT and CGC/CGC patients. C₀/D of CYP3A5 *1/*1, *1/*3 and *3/*3 patients after 1 month of therapy were 51.8?±?25.0, 71.5?±?27.6, and 86.7?±?28.6 ng·kg·(ml·mg)^?1 (p < 0.05).

4. MDR1 haplotypes and CYP3A5*3 genotypes can be related to C₂ and C₀ of CsA, respectively.

     

Quantitative structure activity relationship studies on the flavonoid mediated inhibition of multidrug resistance proteins 1 and 2

In the present study, the effects of a large series of flavonoids on multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs) were studied in MRP1 and MRP2 transfected MDCKII cells. The results were used to define the structural requirements of flavonoids necessary for potent inhibition of MRP1- and MRP2-mediated calcein transport in a cellular model. Several of the methoxylated flavonoids are among the best MRP1 inhibitors (IC(50) values, ranging between 2.7 and 14.3 microM) followed by robinetin, myricetin and quercetin (IC(50) values ranging between 13.6 and 21.8 microM). Regarding inhibition of MRP2 activity especially robinetin and myricetin appeared to be good inhibitors (IC(50) values of 15.0 and 22.2 microM, respectively). Kinetic characterization revealed that the two transporters differ marginally in the apparent K(m) for the substrate calcein. For one flavonoid, robinetin, the kinetics of inhibition were studied in more detail and revealed competitive inhibition with respect to calcein, with apparent inhibition constants of 5.0 microM for MRP1 and 8.5 microM for MRP2. For inhibition of MRP1, a quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) was obtained that indicates three structural characteristics to be of major importance for MRP1 inhibition by flavonoids: the total number of methoxylated moieties, the total number of hydroxyl groups and the dihedral angle between the B- and C-ring. Regarding MRP2 mediated calcein efflux inhibition, only the presence of a flavonol B-ring pyrogallol group seems to be an important structural characteristic. Overall, this study provides insight in the structural characteristics involved in MRP inhibition and explores the differences between inhibitors of these two transporters, MRP1 and MRP2. Ultimately, MRP2 displays higher selectivity for flavonoid type inhibition than MRP1.     

Human ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) and ABCG2 mediate resistance to BI 2536, a potent and selective inhibitor of Polo-like kinase 1

The overexpression of the serine/threonine specific Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) has been detected in various types of cancer, and thus has fast become an attractive therapeutic target for cancer therapy. BI 2536 is the first selective inhibitor of Plk1 that inhibits cancer cell proliferation by promoting G2/M cell cycle arrest at nanomolar concentrations. Unfortunately, alike most chemotherapeutic agents, the development of acquired resistance to BI 2536 is prone to present a significant therapeutic challenge. One of the most common mechanisms for acquired resistance in cancer chemotherapy is associated with the overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCB1, ABCC1 and ABCG2. Here, we discovered that overexpressing of either ABCB1 or ABCG2 is a novel mechanism of acquired resistance to BI 2536 in human cancer cells. Moreover, BI 2536 stimulates the ATPase activity of both ABCB1 and ABCG2 in a concentration-dependent manner, and inhibits the drug substrate transport mediated by these transporters. More significantly, the reduced chemosensitivity and BI 2536-mediated G2/M cell cycle arrest in cancer cells overexpressing either ABCB1 or ABCG2 can be significantly restored in the presence of selective inhibitor or other chemotherapeutic agents that also interact with ABCB1 and ABCG2, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors nilotinib and lapatinib. Taken together, our findings indicate that in order to circumvent ABCB1 or ABCG2-mediated acquired resistance to BI 2536, a combined regimen of BI 2536 and inhibitors or clinically active drugs that potently inhibit the function of ABC drug transporters, should be considered as a potential treatment strategy in the clinic.     

Quercetin increases the bioavailability of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) in rats

This study investigates whether the previous observation that quercetin increases the transport of PhIP through Caco-2 monolayers in vitro could be confirmed in an in vivo rat model.     

Nilotinib (AMN107, Tasigna) reverses multidrug resistance by inhibiting the activity of the ABCB1/Pgp and ABCG2/BCRP/MXR transporters

Nilotinib, a BCR-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), was developed to surmount resistance or intolerance to imatinib in patients with Philadelphia positive chronic myelogenous leukemia. Recently, it was shown that several human multidrug resistance (MDR) ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins could be modulated by specific TKIs. MDR can produce cancer chemotherapy failure, typically due to overexpression of ABC transporters, which are involved in the extrusion of therapeutic drugs. Here, we report for the first time that nilotinib potentiates the cytotoxicity of widely used therapeutic substrates of ABCG2, such as mitoxantrone, doxorubicin, and ABCB1 substrates including colchicine, vincristine, and paclitaxel. Nilotinib also significantly enhances the accumulation of paclitaxel in cell lines overexpressing ABCB1. Similarly, nilotinib significantly increases the intracellular accumulation of mitoxantrone in cells transfected with ABCG2. Furthermore, nilotinib produces a concentration-dependent inhibition of the ABCG2-mediated transport of methotrexate (MTX), as well as E₂17βG a physiological substrate of ABCG2. Uptake studies in membrane vesicles overexpressing ABCG2 have indicated that nilotinib inhibits ABCG2 similar to other established TKIs as well as fumitremorgin C. Nilotinib is a potent competitive inhibitor of MTX transport by ABCG2 with a K_i value of 0.69 ± 0.083 μM as demonstrated by kinetic analysis of nilotinib. Overall, our results indicate that nilotinib could reverse ABCB1- and ABCG2-mediated MDR by blocking the efflux function of these transporters. These findings may be used to guide the design of present and future clinical trials with nilotinib, elucidating potential pharmacokinetic interactions. Also, these findings may be useful in clinical practice for cancer combination therapy with nilotinib.