Involvement of miR-133a and miR-326 in ADM resistance of HepG2 through modulating expression of ABCC1

Recent studies have shown that a class of small, functional RNAs, named microRNAs, may regulate multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (ABCC1). Since ABCC1 is an important efflux transporter responsible for cellular drug disposition, the discovery of microRNAs (miRNA) brings an idea that there may be some other unknown multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanisms exist. Using computational programs, we predicted that the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) of ABCC1 contains a potential miRNA binding site for miR-133a and also two other for miR-326. These binding sites were confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. ABCC1 mRNA degradation was accelerated dramatically in cells transfected with miR-133a or miR-326 mimics using qRT-PCR, Furthermore, western blot analysis indicated that ABCC1 protein expression was significantly down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma cells line HepG2 after transfection with miR-133a or miR-326 mimics, suggesting the involvement of mRNA degradation and protein expression mechanism. The effects of the two miRNAs on adriamycin (ADM) sensitivity to HepG2 cells were determined by MTT assay. Compared with mock transfection, miR-133a or miR-326 mimics transfection sensitized these cells to ADM. These findings for the first time demonstrated that the involvement of miR-133a and miR-326 in MDR is mediated by ABCC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 and suggested that miR-133a and miR-326 may be efficient agents for preventing and reversing ADM resistance in cancer cells.     

Circumvention of the multidrug-resistance protein (MRP-1) by an antitumor drug through specific inhibition of gene transcription in breast tumor cells

Multidrug-resistance protein 1 (MRP-1) confers resistance to a number of clinically important chemotherapeutic agents. The promoter of the mrp-1 gene contains an Sp1-binding site, which we targeted using the antitumor bis-anthracycline WP631. When MCF-7/VP breast cancer cells, which overexpress MRP-1 protein, were incubated with WP631 the expression of the multidrug-resistance protein gene decreased. Conversely, doxorubicin did not alter mrp-1 gene expression. The inhibition of gene expression was followed by a decrease in the activity of the MRP-1 protein. The IC(75) for WP631 (drug concentration required to inhibit cell growth by 75%) circumvented the drug-efflux pump, without addition of resistant modifiers. After treatment with WP631, MCF-7/VP cells were committed to die after entering mitosis (mitotic catastrophe), while treatment with doxorubicin did not affect cell growth. This is the first report on an antitumor drug molecule inhibiting the mrp-1 gene directly, rather than being simply a poor substrate for the transporter-mediated efflux. However, both situations appeared to coexist, thereby a superior cytotoxic effect was attained. Ours results suggest that WP631 offers great potential for the clinical treatment of tumors displaying a multidrug-resistance phenotype.     

MiR-142-3p enhances chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells and inhibits autophagy by targeting HMGB1

MiR-142-3p has been reported to act as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. However, the regulatory effect of miR-142-3p on drug resistance of breast cancer cells and its underlying mechanism remain unknown. Here, we found that miR-142-3p was significantly downregulated in the doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant MCF-7 cell line (MCF-7/DOX). MiR-142-3p overexpression increased DOX sensitivity and enhanced DOX-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a direct functional target of miR-142-3p in breast cancer cells and miR-142-3p negatively regulated HMGB1 expression. Moreover, overexpression of HMGB1 dramatically reversed the promotion of apoptosis and inhibition of autophagy mediated by miR-142-3p up-regulation. In conclusion, miR-142-3p overexpression may inhibit autophagy and promote the drug sensitivity of breast cancer cells to DOX by targeting HMGB1. The miR-142-3p/HMGB1 axis might be a novel target to regulate the drug resistance of breast cancer patients.     

华蟾素对人乳腺癌细胞阿霉素多药耐药性的逆转作用

目的以耐阿霉素人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7/ADM为对象,验证华蟾素(cinobufacine,Cino)能否逆转其对阿霉素(ADM)的耐药性。方法采用MTT法检测药物细胞毒性作用及耐药细胞逆转倍数,高效液相色谱法检测细胞内ADM的浓度,流式细胞术测定P-糖蛋白(permeability glycoprotein,P-gp)的表达。结果Cino15mg·L-1能增加MCF-7/ADM细胞对ADM的敏感性,使ADM的半数抑制浓度(IC50)由38.14mg·L-1降至12.93mg·L-1;能提高ADM在MCF-7/ADM细胞内的浓度,降低MCF-7/ADM细胞P-gp的表达。结论研究表明Cino能部分逆转MCF-7/ADM细胞的MDR,其机制与抑制P-gp的功能与表达,增加细胞内ADM的含量有关。     

Breast cancer resistance protein BCRP/ABCG2 regulatory microRNAs (hsa-miR-328, -519c and -520h) and their differential expression in stem-like ABCG2+ cancer cells

Recent studies have shown that a number of microRNAs (miRNA or miR) may regulate human breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2), an important efflux transporter responsible for cellular drug disposition, whereas their effects on ABCG2 protein expression are not compared. In this study, we first identified a new proximal miRNA response element (MRE) for hsa-miR-519c within ABCG2 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR) through computational analyses. This miR-519c MRE site was confirmed using dual luciferase reporter assay and site-directed mutagenesis. Immunoblot analyses indicated that ABCG2 protein expression was significantly down-regulated in MCF-7/MX100 cells after transfection with hsa-miR-328- or -519c expression plasmids, and was markedly up-regulated in MCF-7 cells after transfection with miR-328 or -519c antagomir. However, ABCG2 protein expression was unchanged in MCF-7/MX100 cells after transfection with hsa-miR-520h expression plasmids, which was associated with undetectable miR-520h expression. Furthermore, ABCG2 mRNA degradation was accelerated dramatically in cells transfected with miR-519c expression plasmid, suggesting the involvement of mRNA degradation mechanism. Intervention of miR-328 or -519c signaling led to significant change in intracellular mitoxantrone accumulation, as determined by flow cytometry analyses. In addition, we separated RB143 human retinoblastoma cells into stem-like (ABCG2+) and non-stem-like (ABCG2−) populations through immunomagnetic selection, and found that miR-328, -519c and -520h levels were 9-, 15- and 3-fold lower in the ABCG2+ cells, respectively. Our data suggest that miR-519c and -328 have greater impact on ABCG2 expression than miR-520h in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, and the presence of proximal miR-519c MRE explains the action of miR-519c on shortened ABCG2 3′UTR.     

Saikosaponin A,an active glycoside from Radix bupleuri,reverses P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in MCF-7/ADR cells and HepG2/ADM cells

1.?The expression and function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is associated with the phenotype of multidrug resistance (MDR). Saikosaponin A (SSA) is a triterpenoid saponin isolated from Radix Bupleuri. This study was mainly designed to understand effects of SSA on MDR in MCF-7/ADR and HepG2/ADM cells.

2.?MDR reversal was examined as the alteration of cytotoxic drugs IC50 in resistant cells in the presence of SSA by MTT assay, and was compared with the non-resistant cells. Apoptosis and uptake of P-gp substrates in the tumor cells were detected by flow cytometry. Western blot was performed to assay the expression of P-gp.

3.?Our results demonstrate SSA could increase the chemosensitivity of P-gp overexpressing HepG2/ADM and MCF-7/ADR cells to doxorubicin (DOX), vincristine (VCR) and paclitaxel. SSA promoted apoptosis of MCF-7/ADR cells in the presence of DOX. Moreover, it could also increase the retention of P-gp substrates DOX and rhodamine 123 in MCF-7/ADR cells, and decrease digoxin efflux ratio in Caco-2 cell monolayer. Finally, a mechanistic study showed that SSA reduced P-gp expression without affecting hydrolytic activity of P-gp.

4.?In conclusion, our findings suggest that SSA could be further developed for sensitizing resistant cancer cells and used as an adjuvant therapy together with anticancer drugs to improve their therapeutic efficacies.     

华蟾素对耐阿霉素人乳腺癌细胞内阿霉素蓄积的影响

目的：测定华蟾素（cinobufacine,Cino）对耐阿霉素人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7/ADM内阿霉素（ADM）积累的影响,以探索Cino逆转MCF-7/ADM多药耐药（MDR）的可能机制。方法：MTT法检测CinoMDR的逆转作用,HPLC法检测Cino作用MCF-7/ADM后细胞内ADM的浓度的变化。结果：Cino15mg/L能增加MCF-7/ADM细胞对ADM的敏感性,使ADM的半数抑制浓度（IC50）由38.14mg/L降至12.93mg/L,显著增加MCF-7/ADM株细胞内ADM的浓度。结论：Cino能明显增加MCF-7/ADM株细胞内ADM的含量,部分逆转MCF-7/ADM的MDR。     

The changes of miRNA expression in rat hippocampus following chronic lead exposure

miRNAs have been found to contribute to normal brain functions, nervous system diseases, as well as neurotoxicities induced by external agents. However, whether they are involved in lead-induced neurotoxicities is still not clear. To identify that, a lead-induced chronic neurotoxicity model of rats was built. Both miRNA microarray analysis and qRT-PCR were performed to determine the change of miRNA expression in hippocampus. Then 3 bioinformatics databases were used to analyze the relative target genes of these miRNA, which were further confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. In the present study, lead exposure resulted in the changed expression of 7 miRNAs: miR-204, miR-211, miR-448, miR-449a, miR-34b, and miR-34c were greatly up-regulated while miR-494 was greatly down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis results showed that the target genes of 6 up-regulated miRNAs were related to neural injury and neurodegeration, axon and synapse function, neural development and regeneration. Correspondingly, the expression levels of mature mRNAs and proteins of three target genes (Bcl-2, Itpr1, and Map2k1) were greatly repressed, verifying the results of bioinformatics analysis. Taken together, our results showed that the expression of several miRNAs reported to be associated with neurophysiological pathways and neurodegenerative diseases changed in rat hippocampus following chronic lead exposure. These miRNAs may play important roles in lead-induced neurotoxicity.     

功劳木中异汉防己碱对P-糖蛋白介导的人乳腺癌细胞多药耐药性的逆转作用

本文探讨了异汉防己碱对P-糖蛋白(P-gp)介导的人乳腺癌细胞多药耐药性的逆转作用。首先以RT-PCR和免疫组化方法分别从RNA和蛋白水平检测MCF-7/DOX细胞P-gp表达情况，以明确MCF-7/DOX细胞的耐药特征；然后采用MTT法检测异汉防己碱的内在细胞毒性及其对阿霉素(DOX)的增敏作用，并以RF(reversal fold)值评价其逆转效果；同时应用流式细胞仪(FCM)对细胞内DOX的蓄积量进行了分析；再以免疫组化方法检测异汉防己碱对MCF-7/DOX细胞P-gp表达水平的影响；最后采用罗丹明蓄积和外排试验检测了异汉防己碱对P-gp功能的影响。整个试验以维拉帕米作为阳性对照。实验结果表明：MCF-7/DOX细胞是具有多药耐药表型且P-gp表达阳性的细胞株；无毒剂量异汉防己碱可明显增强DOX对MCF-7/DOX细胞的细胞毒性(RF=3.89)，明显高于维拉帕米(RF=2.54)的逆转活性(P<0.05)，但其几乎不影响DOX对MCF-7细胞的抑制作用；异汉防己碱对MCF-7/DOX细胞P-gp表达水平无明显影响，但其可有效抑制P-gp的药物外排功能。因此，异汉防己碱可有效逆转P-gp介导的人乳腺癌细胞的多药耐药性，它可能成为有效多药耐药逆转剂的候选药物。     

多药耐药相关蛋白1及其与肿瘤关系的研究进展

多药耐药（MDR）是导致临床肿瘤化疗失败的重要原因。多药耐药相关蛋白1（MRP1/ABCC1）被认为是介导肿瘤多药耐药的主要跨膜转运蛋白之一。 探究MRP1/ABCC1的结构、功能,以及与肿瘤的关系,有利于指导临床合理用药和肿瘤预后的评估。     

Sensitization of ABCB1 overexpressing cells to chemotherapeutic agents by FG020326 via binding to ABCB1 and inhibiting its function

The effectiveness of chemotherapeutic treatment is usually limited by the overexpression of adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which mediate multidrug resistance (MDR) by acting as efflux pumps to remove chemotherapeutic agents from MDR cancer cells. Thus, the inhibition of ABC transporters may represent a promising strategy to reverse MDR. This study was to characterize the actions of FG020326, a newly synthesized triaryl-substituted imidazole derivative, to reverse MDR in vitro and in vivo. FG020326 significantly potentiated the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and vincristine in the ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein, P-gp) overexpressing cells KBv200 and MCF-7/adr, but not in the ABCB1 negative parental cell lines KB and MCF-7. However, FG020326 did not alter the cytotoxicity of the aforementioned drugs in ABCC1 (MRP1), ABCC4 (MRP4), ABCG2 (BCRP) and LRP overexpressing cell lines, KB-CV60, NIH3T3/MRP4-2, S1-M1-80 and SW1573/2R120, respectively. FG020326, following p.o. administration, was present in concentrations sufficient for reversal of MDR in mice. The co-administration of FG020326 with paclitaxel or vincristine significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of these drugs without significantly increasing toxicity in the mice bearing the KBv200 cell xenografts. In addition, FG020326, at concentrations that reversed MDR, did not significantly affect the activity of CYP3A4 or alter the pharmacokinetic profile of paclitaxel after co-administration with paclitaxel. FG020326 produced a significant concentration-dependent displacement of [³H]azidopine and inhibition of efflux of drug from cells. Furthermore, FG020326 was co-localized with ABCB1 in cell membranes. Hence, FG020326 is characterized as a third generation MDR modulator that holds great promise for the treatment of cancer patients with ABCB1-mediated MDR.     

MicroRNA expression is differentially altered by xenobiotic drugs in different human cell lines

Several noncoding microRNAs (miR or miRNA) have been shown to regulate the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. Xenobiotic drug-induced changes in enzyme and transporter expression may be associated with the alteration of miRNA expression. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of 19 xenobiotic drugs (e.g. dexamethasone, vinblastine, bilobalide and cocaine) on the expression of ten miRNAs (miR-18a, -27a, -27b, -124a, -148a, -324-3p, -328, -451, -519c and -1291) in MCF-7, Caco-2, SH-SY5Y and BE(2)-M17 cell systems. The data revealed that miRNAs were differentially expressed in human cell lines and the change in miRNA expression was dependent on the drug, as well as the type of cells investigated. Notably, treatment with bilobalide led to a 10-fold increase of miR-27a and a 2-fold decrease of miR-148a in Caco-2 cells, but no change of miR-27a and a 2-fold increase of miR-148a in MCF-7 cells. Neuronal miR-124a was generally down-regulated by psychoactive drugs (e.g. cocaine, methadone and fluoxetine) in BE(2)-M17 and SH-SY5Y cells. Dexamethasone and vinblastine, inducers of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, suppressed the expression of miR-27b, -148a and -451 that down-regulate the enzymes and transporters. These findings should provide increased understanding of the altered gene expression underlying drug disposition, multidrug resistance, drug-drug interactions and neuroplasticity.     

The reversal effects of piperine and (R)-(+)-citronellal on multidrug resistant breast cancer cells

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumor cells can reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy. Overexpression of transporters is an important mechanism for MDR. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an ATP-binding cassette transporter frequently expressed in multidrugresistant tumor cells, inducing MDR. To reverse P-gp dependent MDR, anticancer drugs can be administered with P-gp inhibitors. Piperine and (R)-(+)-citronellal both are P-gp inhibitors from dietary sources. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the MDR reversal effects of piperine and (R)-(+)-citronellal in multidrug resistant MCF-7/DOX cells. The results of cytotoxicity studies indicated that piperine and (R)-(+)-citronellal both could abate the resistance of MCF-7/DOX after 72-h incubation. After 72-h incubation, piperine could dose-dependently down-regulate the MDR1 expression at the mRNA level, while (R)-(+)-citronellal had no effect on the MDR1 expression. Therefore, piperine and (R)-(+)-citronellal both could reverse MDR in MCF-7/DOX cells, and the reversal effect of piperine was related to dose-dependent down-regulation of the MDR1 expression at the mRNA level.     

干扰素与维拉帕米逆转乳腺癌细胞耐药作用的研究

目的:研究α-干扰素与维拉帕米对体外培养的乳腺癌细胞多药耐药(MDR)的逆转作用。方法:以对药物敏感的人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7和经阿霉素(ADM)诱导具有MDR表型的人乳腺癌耐药细胞系MCF-7/ADR为体外试验模型,分别单用及联用α-干扰素与维拉帕米对细胞系进行处理,MTT法检测各组细胞存活率,计算半数抑制浓度(IC50)、耐药倍数和逆转倍数;流式细胞术定量检测细胞表面P-170的表达。结果:α-干扰素与维拉帕米联用后使乳腺癌细胞耐ADM的IC50降低为0.32μmol·L-1,优于二者单用(2.29、1.23μmol·L-1),逆转倍数升高到51.88(二者单用为7.25、13.49),P-170表达低于二者单用。结论:单独应用α-干扰素、维拉帕米均可达到部分逆转MCF-7/ADR对ADM的耐药作用,但二者联用效果更强。     

Reversal of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance by the novel tetrandrine derivative W6

Overexpression of ATP-dependent efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is the main cause of multidrug resistance (MDR) and chemotherapy failure in cancer treatment. Inhibition of P-gp-mediated drug efflux is an effective way to overcome cancer drug resistance. The present study investigated the reversal effect of the novel tetrandrine derivative W6 on P-gp-mediated MDR. KBv200, MCF-7/adr and their parental sensitive cell lines KB, MCF-7 were used for reversal study. The intracellular accumulation with P-gp substrates of doxorubicin was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of P-gp and ERK1/2 was investigated by western blot and real-time-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis. ATPase activity of P-gp was performed by P-gp-Glo^TM assay systems. In comparison with P-gp-negative parental cells, W6 produced a favorable reversal effect in the MDR cells, as determined using the MTT assay. W6 significantly and dose-dependently increased intracellular accumulation of P-gp substrate doxorubicin (DOX) in P-gp overexpressing KBv200 cells, and also inhibited the ATPase activity of P-gp. W6 inhibited P-gp expression in KBv200 cells in a time-dependent manner, but it had no effect on MDR1 expression. In addition, W6 significantly decreased the ERK1/2 activation in KBv200 cells. Our results showed that W6 effectively reversed P-gp-mediated MDR by inhibiting the transport function and expression of P-gp, demonstrating the potential clinical utility of W6.     

P-glycoprotein enhances TRAIL-triggered apoptosis in multidrug resistant cancer cells by interacting with the death receptor DR5

The death-inducing cytokine TRAIL is a promising agent for anticancer therapy since it preferentially kills cancer versus normal cells; however, some cancer cells are TRAIL-resistant. We initially explored whether overexpression of the MDR1 gene product P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which causes multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells, also contributes to TRAIL-resistance. Surprisingly, our results revealed that P-gp-overexpression enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis not only in neoplastic cells transfected with the MDR1 gene but also in MDR variants selected with cytotoxic anticancer agents. Mechanistic analysis of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in the MDR1-transfected MCF-7 breast cancer cell line BC-19 revealed that TRAIL-triggered significantly more apoptosis in these cells compared with parental MCF-7 cells by binding to the TRAIL receptor DR5. DR5 but not DR4 engagement by TRAIL attenuated cellular ATP levels by robustly stimulating P-gp ATPase activity, and thus triggered P-gp-dependent apoptosis by depletion of the cellular ATP pool. In addition to hyperactive P-gp-mediated ATP hydrolysis, TRAIL-induced, P-gp-potentiated apoptosis was associated with activation of caspases-6, -7, -8, and -9; Bid cleavage; and mitochondrial depolarization. P-gp interacted with the TRAIL receptors DR4, DR5, and DcR1 in plasma membranes and enhanced TRAIL binding to DR5. Interestingly, the decreased level of the decoy TRAIL receptor, DcR1, in BC-19 cells further sensitized these cells to TRAIL. Therefore, both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways are involved in this process. These findings for the first time reveal that TRAIL treatment preferentially causes apoptosis in P-gp-overexpressing MDR cells, and suggests significant clinical implications for the use of TRAIL in treating neoplasms that have failed chemotherapy.     

Effect of organic isothiocyanates on the P-glycoprotein- and MRP1-mediated transport of daunomycin and vinblastine

Purpose. Organic isothiocyanates (ITCs), or mustard oils, are non-nutrient components present in the diet, especially in cruciferous vegetables. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of ITCs on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)- and multidrug resistance-associated Protein (MRP1)-mediated transport in multidrug resistant (MDR) human cancer cell lines. Methods. The direct effect of ITCs on the 2-h cellular accumulation of daunomycin (DNM) and vinblastine (VBL), substrates for both P-gp and MRP1, were measured in sensitive and resistant MCF-7 cells and in PANC-1 cells. Resistant MCF-7 cells (MCF-7/ADR) overexpress P-gp whereas PANC-1 cells overexpress MRP1. The following compounds were evaluated: allyl-, benzyl-(BITC), hexyl-, phenethyl-(PEITC), phenyl-, 1-naphthyl-(NITC), phenylhexyl-, phenylpropyl-, and phenylbutyl-ITC, sulforaphane, erucin, and erysolin. Results. NITC significantly increased the accumulation of DNM and VBL in both resistant cell lines, but had no effect on DNM accumulation in sensitive MCF-7 cells. VBL accumulation in resistant MCF-7 cells was increased 40-fold by NITC whereas that in PANC-1 cells was increased 5.5-fold. Significant effects on the accumulation of DNM and VBL in resistant MCF-7 cells were also observed with benzyl-isothiocyanate whereas PEITC, erysolin, phenylhexyl-ITC, and phenylbutyl-ITC increased the accumulation of DNM and/or VBL in PANC-1 cells. Overall, the inhibitory activities of these compounds in MCF-7 cells and PANC-1 cells were significantly correlated (r²= 0.77 and 0.86 for DNM and VBL, respectively). Significant effects on accumulation were generally observed with the ITCs at 50 M concentrations, but not at 10 M concentrations. Conclusions. One strategy to enhance the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy is to reverse the MDR phenomena. Our results indicate that certain dietary ITCs inhibit the P-gp- and the MRP1-mediated efflux of DNM and VBL in MDR cancer cells and suggest the potential for diet-drug interactions.     

降低细胞膜角蛋白8和乳腺癌耐药蛋白的表达逆转耐药性

目的研究细胞膜角蛋白8(CK8)和乳腺癌耐药蛋白(breast cancer resistant protein,BCRP)作为多靶点治疗逆转耐药的可行性。方法共转染特异的CK8-siRNAs和BCRP-siRNAs至人乳腺癌多药耐药细胞MCF-7/MX,用Western blot方法检测siRNAs对CK8和BCRP蛋白表达的抑制,荧光染色用激光共聚焦显微镜观察细胞膜表面CK8表达量的变化,并用Sulforhodamine B的方法检测转染前后细胞对多种化疗药敏感性的变化。结果MCF-7/MX细胞导入CK8-siRNAs和BCRP-siRNAs后,CK8和BCRP的表达水平均明显降低,且细胞表面CK8染色也明显降低,同时对米托蒽醌等化疗药的敏感性明显提高,耐药表型明显逆转。结论CK8和BCRP在MCF-7/MX耐药细胞中共同高表达且在乳腺癌多药耐药表型的形成中起重要作用,共同抑制CK8和BCRP的表达可以有效逆转乳腺癌的多药耐药,为治疗肿瘤多药耐药提供了一条新的思路。