Screening novel CNS drug candidates for P-glycoprotein interactions using the cell line iP-gp: In vitro efflux ratios from iP-gp and MDCK-MDR1 monolayers compared to brain distribution data from mice

Drug efflux by P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) is considered as a major obstacle for brain drug delivery for small molecules. P-gp-expressing cell monolayers are used for screening of new drug candidates during early states of drug development. It is, however, uncertain how well the in vitro studies can predict the in vivo P-gp mediated efflux at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). We previously developed a novel cell line of porcine origin, the iP-gp cell line, with high transepithelial resistance and functional expression of human P-gp. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of the cell line for screening of P-gp interactions of novel drug candidates. For this purpose, bidirectional fluxes of 14 drug candidates were measured in iP-gp cells and in MDCK-MDR1 cells, and compared with pharmacokinetic data obtained in male C57BL/6 mice. The iP-gp cells formed extremely tight monolayers (>15 000 Ω∙cm²) as compared to the MDCK- MDR1 cells (>250 Ω∙cm²) and displayed lower P_app,a-b values. The efflux ratios obtained with iP-gp and MDCK-MDR1 monolayers correlated with K_p,uu,brain values from the in vivo studies, where compounds with the lowest K_p,uu,brain generally displayed the highest efflux ratios. 12 of the tested compounds displayed a poor BBB penetration in mice as judged by K_p,uu less than 1. Of these compounds, nine compounds were categorized as P-gp substrates in the iP-gp screening, whereas analysis of data estimated in MDCK-MDR1 cells indicated four compounds as potential substrates. The results suggest that the iP-gp cell model may be a sensitive and useful screening tool for drug screening purposes to identify possible substrates of human P-glycoprotein.

Orally administered extract from Prunella vulgaris attenuates spontaneous colitis in mdr1a-/- mice

AIM: To investigate the ability of a Prunella vulgaris (P. vulgaris) ethanolic extract to attenuate spontaneous typhlocolitis in mdr1a^-/- mice.

METHODS: Vehicle (5% ethanol) or P. vulgaris ethanolic extract (2.4 mg/d) were administered daily by oral gavage to mdr1a^-/- or wild type FVB^WT mice from 6 wk of age up to 20 wk of age. Clinical signs of disease were noted by monitoring weight loss. Mice experiencing weight loss in excess of 15% were removed from the study. At the time mice were removed from the study, blood and colon tissue were collected for analyses that included histological evaluation of lesions, inflammatory cytokine levels, and myeloperoxidase activity.

RESULTS: Administration of P. vulgaris extracts to mdr1a^-/- mice delayed onset of colitis and reduced severity of mucosal inflammation when compared to vehicle-treated mdr1a^-/- mice. Oral administration of the P. vulgaris extract resulted in reduced (P < 0.05) serum levels of IL-10 (4.6 ± 2 vs 19.4 ± 4), CXCL9 (1319.0 ± 277 vs 3901.0 ± 858), and TNFα (9.9 ± 3 vs 14.8 ± 1) as well as reduced gene expression by more than two-fold for Ccl2, Ccl20, Cxcl1, Cxcl9, IL-1α, Mmp10, VCAM-1, ICAM, IL-2, and TNFα in the colonic mucosa of mdr1a^-/- mice compared to vehicle-treated mdr1a^-/- mice. Histologically, several microscopic parameters were reduced (P < 0.05) in P. vulgaris-treated mdr1a^-/- mice, as was myeloperoxidase activity in the colon (2.49 ± 0.16 vs 3.36 ± 0.06, P < 0.05). The numbers of CD4⁺ T cells (2031.9 ± 412.1 vs 5054.5 ± 809.5) and germinal center B cells (2749.6 ± 473.7 vs 4934.0 ± 645.9) observed in the cecal tonsils of P. vulgaris-treated mdr1a^-/- were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) from vehicle-treated mdr1a^-/- mice. Vehicle-treated mdr1a^-/- mice were found to produce serum antibodies to antigens derived from members of the intestinal microbiota, indicative of severe colitis and a loss of adaptive tolerance to the members of the microbiota. These serum antibodies were greatly reduced or absent in P. vulgaris-treated mdr1a^-/- mice.

CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory activity of P. vulgaris ethanolic extract effectively attenuated the severity of intestinal inflammation in mdr1a^-/- mice.

MDR1 transporter protects against paraquat-induced toxicity in human and mouse proximal tubule cells

Paraquat is a herbicide that is highly toxic to the lungs and kidneys following acute exposures. Prior studies have demonstrated that the organic cation transporter 2 and multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1 contribute to the urinary secretion of paraquat in the kidneys. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1/Mdr1, ABCB1, or P-glycoprotein) also participates in the removal of paraquat from the kidneys and protects against renal injury. Paraquat transport and toxicity were quantified in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC) that endogenously express MDR1, HEK293 cells overexpressing MDR1, and Mdr1a/1b knockout mice. In RPTEC cells, reduction of MDR1 activity using the antagonist PSC833 or siRNA transfection increased the cellular accumulation of paraquat by 50%. Reduced efflux of paraquat corresponded with enhanced cytotoxicity in PSC833-treated cells. Likewise, stable overexpression of the human MDR1 gene in HEK293 cells reduced intracellular levels of paraquat by 50%. In vivo studies assessed the renal accumulation and subsequent nephrotoxicity of paraquat (10 or 30 mg/kg ip) in wild-type and Mdr1a/1b knockout mice. At 4 h after paraquat treatment, renal concentrations of paraquat in the kidneys of Mdr1a/1b knockout mice were 750% higher than wild-type mice. By 72 h, paraquat-treated Mdr1a/1b knockout mice had more extensive tubular degeneration and significantly greater mRNA expression of kidney injury-responsive genes, including kidney injury molecule-1, lipocalin-2, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, MDR1/Mdr1 participates in the elimination of paraquat from the kidneys and protects against subsequent toxicity.