Overexpression of the ABC transporter TAP in multidrug-resistant human cancer cell lines.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) to anti-cancer drugs has been associated with the overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), both being members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of transporters. We investigated whether in addition to P-gp and MRP, another ABC transporter, the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP), is associated with MDR. TAP plays a major role in MHC class I-restricted antigen presentation by mediating peptide translocation over the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. TAP1 and P-gp share a significant degree of homology among their transmembrane domains, which are thought to be the primary determinants of substrate specificity, and both can apparently mediate the translocation of peptides. Using immunocytochemistry and Western blot, TAP was overexpressed in parallel with MHC class I in several MDR human cancer cell lines. TAP was overexpressed more frequently in MRP-positive MDR cell lines (three out of three) than in P-gp positive MDR cells (two out of five). Reversal of resistance resulted in a decrease in TAP levels. Transfection of the TAP genes into TAP-deficient lymphoblastoid T2 cells conferred mild resistance to etoposide, vincristine and doxorubicin (2- to 2.5-fold). Furthermore, etoposide and vincristine inhibited TAP-dependent peptide translocation to the endoplasmic reticulum. Collectively, our results suggest that TAP may modestly contribute to the MDR phenotype, in particular in MRP- overexpressing MDR cells. Further insight into the role of TAP in MDR will require the study of other transfectants, as well as the investigation of TAP expression in P-gp and MRP-negative MDR cancer cell lines.     

载体表达小干扰RNA逆转卵巢癌的多药耐药

目的:探讨载体表达的小干扰RNA(smallinterferingRNA,siRNA)逆转卵巢癌细胞多药耐药的可行性。方法:浓度梯度诱导法建立人卵巢癌阿霉素耐药细胞株OVCAR/AR;脂质体介导将MDR1特异性siRNA的表达载体(pSN/mdr1a和pSN/mdr1b)转染OVCAR/AR细胞;实时定量RT-PCR检测MDRlmRNA的表达;流式细胞术检测P-gp的表达,罗丹明试验检测P-gp的药物转运功能;MTT法检测OVCAR/AR细胞对化疗药的抵抗性。结果:转染pSN/mdr1a和pSN/mdr1b后,OVCAR/AR细胞的MDR1mRNA和P-gp的表达均显著下降,P-gp的转运功能减少,OVCAR/AR细胞对阿霉素、泰素的耐药性逆转。结论:载体表达的siRNA可持久有效地抑制卵巢癌耐药细胞MDR1mRNA和P-gp的表达,并逆转其多药耐药。     

Overcoming the classical multidrug resistance phenotype by adenoviral delivery of anti-MDR1 short hairpin RNAs and ribozymes

Simultaneous resistance of cancer cells to multiple cytotoxic drugs, multidrug resistance (MDR), is the major limitation to the successful chemotherapeutic treatment of disseminated neoplasms. The 'classical' MDR phenotype is conferred by MDR1/P-glycoprotein (MDR1/P-gp) that is expressed in almost 50% of human cancers. Recent developments in the use of small interfering RNAs for specific inhibition of gene expression have highlighted their potential use as therapeutic agents. DNA cassettes encoding RNA polymerase III promoter-driven siRNA-like short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) allow long-term expression of therapeutic RNAs in targeted cells. A variety of viral vectors have been used to deliver such cassettes to mammalian cells. In this study, the construction of different adenoviruses for anti-MDR1/P-gp shRNA delivery in different human multidrug-resistant cancer cells was investigated. The efficiency of the shRNAs was compared to adenoviral delivery of an anti-MDR1/P-gp ribozyme construct. It could be demonstrated that MDR1/P-gp mRNA and protein expression could be completely inhibited by adenoviral delivery of anti-MDR1/P-gp shRNAs. This downregulation in mRNA and protein expression was accompanied by a complete inhibition of the pump activity of MDR1/P-gp and a reversal of the multidrug-resistant phenotype. By application of adenoviral encoded anti-MDR1/P-gp ribozyme construct merely weak effects on gene expression were observed. In conclusion, the data demonstrate that adenoviral delivery of shRNAs can chemosensitize human cancer cells, that adenoviral delivery of shRNAs is much more effective than adenoviral delivery of ribozymes, and that adenovirus-based vectors can be very effective agents for efficient delivery of therapeutic RNA molecules.     

Increased expression and function of P-glycoprotein in peripheral blood CD56+ cells is associated with the chemoresistance of non-small-cell lung cancer

Purpose

Chemoresistance is common among non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), P-glycoprotein (P-gp), encoded by the human multi-drug-resistant MDR1 gene, and multidrug-resistance protein 1 (MRP1) might be major contributors. The aim of the present study was to develop an effective method to investigate the expression and function of P-gp in the peripheral CD56+ cells in order to clarify their correlation with the chemoresistance in NSCLC.

Methods

Using microbead technology and a RT-qPCR methodology, we evaluated the expression levels of P-gp and MRP1 in the purified CD56+ cells in the chemoresistance and chemo-naive NSCLC patients compared with that in the healthy volunteers. Flow cytometric analysis was used to investigate the changes of P-gp function in the CD56+ cells between the three cohorts.

Results

The MDR1 gene expression was elevated markedly (twofold?Ctenfold), and P-gp function was increased in the chemoresistance cohort compared with the chemo-naive and the healthy cohorts; whereas there was only about two times averagely elevated for the MRP1 gene expression. No statistical significance (p?>?0.05) was seen with respect to the expression of MDR1 and MRP1, the function of P-gp between the chemo-naive and the healthy cohorts.

Conclusions

P-gp in peripheral CD56+ cells demonstrated possible clinical relevance as predictive biomarkers for the identification of chemoresistance in NSCLC, while MRP1 may not play a significant role in the drug resistance in NSCLC. The potential applications for this finding are provided evidence to screen the potential P-gp reversors and to diagnose and manage the chemoresistance in NSCLC patients.     

COX-2 contributes to P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance via phosphorylation of c-Jun at Ser63/73 in colorectal cancer

Cross-drug resistance in multidrug-resistant (MDR) cells, which overexpress P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the MDR1 gene, is a major impediment to successful chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. In the present study, drug-sensitive HCT8 and multidrug-resistant (vincristine, VCR) HCT8/V colorectal cancer cell lines were used to examine the role of c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase- (JNK) signaling pathway in P-gp-mediated MDR associated with Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2). The results showed that SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, and NS-398, a COX-2 inhibitor, significantly reduced the degree of MDR in HCT8/V cells. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in gene level of MDR1 and protein level of P-gp in HCT8/V cells. Notably, addition of a JNK inhibitor had no significant effect on the expression of COX-2 in both HCT8 and HCT8/V cells. Interestingly, inhibition of COX-2 activity by a chemical inhibitor or its silence by small interfering RNA significantly decreased the level of phosphorylated c-Jun at Ser63/73 in HCT8/V cells. In contrast, upregulation of COX-2 significantly increased the levels of P-gp and p-c-Jun at Ser63/73 in HCT8 cells, but not in HCT8/V cells. Moreover, the intracellular vincristine accumulation in HCT8/V cells significantly increased after inhibiting COX-2 and JNK activity. Taken together, our study has provided the first direct evidence that COX-2 contributes to P-gp-mediated multidrug resistance via phosphorylation of c-Jun at Ser63/73 in colorectal cancer cells.     

免疫电镜方法研究P-gp、p53蛋白、Bcl-2蛋白在肺癌组织中的表达

目的 从超微水平了解P－gp、p53蛋白、Bcl-2蛋白在肺癌组织中的表达，探讨它们与多药耐药（multidrug resistance,MDR)的关系和可能的作用机制。方法 8例非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）手术标本和7例小细胞肺癌（SCLC）经支气管镜活检标本，用免疫电镜方法包埋后，以PAG标记抗体方法检测P－gp、p53蛋白、Bcl-2蛋白的表达。结果 P－gp主要位于胞膜和胞浆内质网附近；p53主要位于细胞核异染色质上，胞浆中也有存在；Bcl-2分布与线粒体和内质网有关。三者在15例肺癌中的表达率分别为33．3％（5／15）、60．0％（9／15）和26．7％（4／15）。8例手术获得的正常肺组织标本中，3种蛋白表达均为阴性。5例P－gp阳性的标本中，4例为NSCLC，仅1例为化疗后的SCLC。结论 用免疫电镜方法检测，P－gp、p53蛋白、Bcl-2蛋白在肺癌中有一定的表达。P－gp与p53、p53与Bcl-2的表达无相关性。P－gp主要位于胞膜，支持其膜上药物输出泵的功能，其表达在肺癌的MDR中起一定作用，但不是惟一因素。     

2-deoxyglucose-induced toxicity is regulated by Bcl-2 family members and is enhanced by antagonizing Bcl-2 in lymphoma cell lines

Targeting altered cancer cell metabolism with the glycolysis inhibitor, 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), is a viable therapeutic strategy, but the effects of 2DG on lymphoma cells and the mechanism of action are unknown. Five T-cell lymphoma lines and two B-cell lymphoma lines were shown to be highly sensitive to 2DG. Examination of the cell death pathway demonstrated pro-apoptotic protein Bax 'activation' and caspase cleavage in 2DG-treated cells. However, Q-VD-OPh, a potent inhibitor of caspase activity provided minimal protection from death. In contrast, overexpressing the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 dramatically enhanced the survival of 2DG-treated cells that was negated by a Bcl-2 antagonist. BH3-only members, Bim and Bmf, were upregulated by 2DG, and shRNAs targeting Bim protected from 2DG toxicity demonstrating that Bim is a critical mediator of 2DG toxicity. 2DG also induced GADD153/CHOP expression, a marker of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and a known activator of Bim. Mannose, a reagent known to alleviate ER stress, transiently protected from 2DG-induced cell death. Examination of the effects of 2DG on energy metabolism showed a drop in ATP levels by 30 min that was not affected by either Bcl-2 or mannose. These results demonstrate that ER stress appears to be rate limiting in 2DG-induced cell death in lymphoma cells, and this cell killing is regulated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Bcl-2 inhibition combined with 2DG may be an effective therapeutic strategy for lymphoma.     

Stable and complete overcoming of MDR1/P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in human gastric carcinoma cells by RNA interference

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the major cause of failure of effective chemotherapeutic treatment of disseminated neoplasms. The "classical" MDR phenotype of human malignancies is mediated by drug extrusion by the adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABC)-transporter P-glycoprotein (MDR1/P-gp). For stable reversal of "classical" MDR by RNA interference (RNAi) technology, an H1-RNA gene promoter-driven expression vector encoding anti-MDR1/P-gp short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules was constructed. By introduction of anti-MDR1/P-gp shRNA expression vectors into the extremely high drug-resistant human gastric carcinoma cell line EPG85-257RDB, the MDR phenotype was completely reversed. The reversal of MDR was accompanied by a complete suppression of MDR1/P-gp expression on mRNA and protein level, and by a considerable increased intracellular anthracyline accumulation in the anti-MDR1/P-gp shRNA-treated cells. The data indicate that stable shRNA-mediated RNAi can be tremendously effective in reversing MDR1/P-gp-mediated MDR and is therefore a promising strategy for overcoming MDR by gene therapeutic applications.     

UGCG通过调控MDR1/P-gp参与人结肠癌奥沙利铂耐药的初步研究

目的 建立人结肠癌耐奥沙利铂（L-OHP）细胞株,检测该细胞株的多药耐药性并初步探讨其可能的耐药机制。方法 以人结肠癌细胞HCT116为对象,采用药物浓度梯度递增诱导法建立人结肠癌耐奥沙利铂细胞株HCT-116/L-OHP。CCK-8法检测L-OHP、顺铂（DDP）、5-氟尿嘧啶（5-Fu）对亲本细胞和耐药细胞株的半数抑制浓度（IC50）。使用UDP-葡萄糖神经酰胺糖基转移酶（UGCG）siRNA转染HCT-116/L-OHP细胞,实时荧光定量 PCR和Western blot检测干扰前后UGCG基因和多药耐药基因1（MDR1）mRNA及其编码的蛋白表达水平。结果 HCT-116/L-OHP对L-OHP的耐药指数为10.5,与DDP有一定程度的交叉耐药,耐药指数为4.61,但对5-Fu无交叉耐药。耐药细胞HCT-116/L-OHP中UGCG、MDR1 mRNA和UGCG、P-糖蛋白（P-gp, MDR1编码的蛋白）表达均增加,相比HCT-116细胞,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。UGCG siRNA成功抑制HCT-116/L-OHP细胞中UGCG的表达,各干扰组MDR1 mRNA、P-gp表达减少,与对照组相比差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 成功构建了人结肠癌耐药细胞株;UGCG基因通过调控MDR1/P-gp的表达参与人结肠癌奥沙利铂的耐药机制的形成。     

shRNA沉默多药耐药胃癌细胞7901/VCR MDR1基因表达的实验研究

目的利用RNAi技术干扰胃癌多药耐药细胞（7901/VCR）多药耐药基因（MDR1）的表达,为临床肿瘤的基因治疗奠定基础。方法根据MDR1的碱基序列设计并合成两对短发夹RNA,构建重组载体,用阳离子脂质体法体外转染7901/VCR;采用MTT法检测转染胃癌细胞的生长抑制率,流式细胞术检测细胞周期变化,RT-PCR和Western blot检测转染前后MDR1 mRNA和蛋白表达的变化。结果成功构建RNAi质粒载体,转染后细胞IC50明显降低（P〈0.05）;G1期细胞增加,S期细胞减少（P〈0.05）;MDR1 mRNA转录水平下降（P〈0.05）,P-糖蛋白（P-gp）的表达水平降低（P〈0.05）。结论RNAi能明显抑制胃癌细胞7901/VCR MDR1mRNA和P-gp蛋白的表达,进而对肿瘤细胞多药耐药性有明显的逆转作用,为基因治疗提供了一种新的手段。     

Reversal effect of tyroservatide (YSV) tripeptide on multi-drug resistance in resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL-7402/5-FU

Tyroservatide (YSV) is an active, low-molecular-weight polypeptide that has been shown to have antitumor effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells in vitro and in vivo. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) represents a major obstacle to the success of cancer chemotherapy. To enhance the chemosensitivity of tumor cells, attention has been focused on MDR modulators. In this study, we evaluated the reversal effect of YSV on MDR, and explored its mechanism of action in vitro. Administration of YSV reversed the multi-drug resistance of human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402/5-FU cells significantly. The intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin and Rhodamine-123 (Rh123) were increased, which implied that the function of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump was inhibited by YSV. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of multi-drug resistance gene (MDR1) were also decreased by YSV. We observe that lung-resistance protein (LRP) and multi-drug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) each contribute to MDR in BEL-7402/5-FU cells as well. The mRNA and protein expression of LRP were decreased by YSV. No significant change was observed in mRNA expression of MRP1. However, we observe that the MRP1 protein level was reduced after treatment with YSV. These data demonstrate that YSV effectively reverses MDR in BEL-7402/5-FU cells, and that its mechanism of action is associated with the down-regulation of MDR1, MRP1 and LRP expression, as well as the inhibition of P-gp function.     

P-Glycoprotein expression in human, mouse, hamster and rat hepatocytes in primary culture

P-Glycoprotein (P-gp), the multidrug resistance (MDR) gene product,has previously been shown to be functional and overexpressedin adult rat hepatocytes during primary culture. In the presentstudy, we examined P-gp expression in human, mouse and hamsterhepatocytes cultured in conditions similar to those used forrat liver cells. Northern blotting and doxorubicin P-gp-mediatedefflux analyses revealed that liver parenchymal cells from thesethree species exhibited only limited increased MDR mRNA levelswith no intracellular decreased drug retention, thus suggestingthat the marked functional P-gp induction observed in rat hepatocytescould reflect a species-specific response of these cells toan unfamiliar environment. An 8 h exposure to cycloheximide,which strongly induced MDR mRNAs in rat liver cells, also increased,although to a far lesser extent, MDR mRNA levels in human, mouseand hamster hepatocytes, indicating that P-gp expression innormal liver parenchymal cells could be at least partly negativelyregulated by a labile protein factor.     

Proteomic profiling of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with chemoresistance to different types of anti-cancer drugs

Chemoresistance is a poor prognostic factor in breast cancer and, thus, presents a significant clinical challenge. The mechanisms of chemoresistance involve multiple complex biological processes. This study aims to identify common contributory factors to chemoresistance in breast cancer by comparing protein expression profiles of chemosensitive MCF-7 breast cancer cells and cells resistant to two different commonly used anti-cancer drugs (adriamycin and paclitaxel). Expression of the ATP binding cassette transporter, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), in breast tumours has previously been found to correlate with poor prognosis in vivo and, accordingly, we confirmed overexpression of P-gp in both adriamycin- and paclitaxel-resistant MCF-7 cells. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF peptide mass fingerprinting, we identified 20 proteins differentially expressed between chemosensitive, adriamycin-resistant and paclitaxel-resistant MCF-7 cells. Cytokeratin-8, keratin-19, Hsp-27, 14-3-3 epsilon, annexin-A2 and phosphoglycerate kinase-1 showed altered expression in both adriamycin- and paclitaxel-resistant cells. Validation of a number of these changes was confirmed by Western blotting. Our findings provide further insights into the complex mechanisms of chemoresistance, as well as representing an attractive starting point for the identification of potential protein biomarkers to predict response to chemotherapy in breast cancer in vivo.     

Targeting glucosylceramide synthase downregulates expression of the multidrug resistance gene MDR1 and sensitizes breast carcinoma cells to anticancer drugs

Drug resistance in breast cancer remains a major cause for the failure of chemotherapy. Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) plays an important role in multidrug resistance (MDR) in breast cancer. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) also confers a cross-resistance of many unrelated drugs. In this study, we studied the MDR effect and potential mechanisms of breast cancer after constructing permanent breast cancer cell lines with GCS knockout by using recombinant vectors targeting GCS (pSUPER-GCSshRNAs). The GCSshRNA stably transfected cells were successfully established and significant lower levels of GCS mRNA and protein expression were confirmed. In in vitro experiments, the GCSshRNA stably transfected cells showed a significantly reduced level of MDR1 and P-gp expression and decreased drug efflux ability. Reduced level of GCS expression conveyed a significant reversal of drug resistance by MTT assay and increased caspase-3 activity. In in vivo experiments by using nude mice with xenograft tumors, a significant inhibition of tumor growth was observed after comparing with the control group. Furthermore, enhanced response of chemotherapy was acquired by reduced expression of GCS as well as MDR1 in vivo. In conclusion, GCSshRNA could efficiently suppress GCS and MDR1 expression in vitro and in vivo and these findings may be used as one of the methods to reverse MDR in breast cancer.