Apatinib reduces liver cancer cell multidrug resistance by modulating NF-κB signaling pathway

Objectives:This investigation aimed to elucidate the inhibitory impact of apatinib on the multidrug resistance of liver cancer both in vivo and in vitro.Methods:To establish a Hep3B/5-Fu resistant cell line,5-Fu concentrations were gradually increased in the culture media.Hep3B/5-Fu cells drug resistance and its alleviation by apatinib were confirmed via flow cytometry and Cell Counting Kit 8(CCK8)test.Further,Nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)siRNA was transfected into Hep3B/5-Fu cells to assess alterations in the expression of multidrug resistance(MDR)-related genes and proteins.Nude mice were injected with Hep3B/5-Fu cells to establish subcutaneous xenograft tumors and then categorized into 8 treatment groups.The treatments included oxaliplatin,5-Fu,and apatinib.In the tumor tissues,the expression of MDRrelated genes was elucidated via qRT-PCR,immunohistochemistry,and Western blot analyses.Results:The apatinibtreated mice indicated slower tumor growth with smaller size compared to the control group.Both the in vivo and in vitro investigations revealed that the apatinib-treated groups had reduced expression of MDR genes GST-pi,LRP,MDR1,and p-p65.Conclusions:Apatinib effectively suppresses MDR in human hepatic cancer cells by modulating the expression of genes related to MDR,potentially by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Identification of FDA-Approved Drugs as Modulators of Multidrug Resistance Protein 2 (MRP2/ABCC2) Expression Levels in MRP2-Overexpressing Cells: Preliminary Data

Multidrug Resistance Protein 2 (MRP2) is an ATP-dependent transmembrane protein that plays a pivotal role in the efflux of a wide variety of physiological substrates across the plasma membrane. Several studies have shown that MRP2 can significantly affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiles of many therapeutic drugs and chemicals found in the environment and diet. This transporter can also efflux newly developed anticancer agents that target specific signaling pathways and are major clinical markers associated with multidrug resistance (MDR) of several types of cancers. MDR remains a major limitation to the advancement of the combinatorial chemotherapy regimen in cancer treatment. In addition to anticancer agents, MRP2 reduces the efficacy of various drug classes such as antivirals, antimalarials, and antibiotics. The unique role of MRP2 and its contribution to MDR makes it essential to profile drug-transporter interactions for all new and promising drugs. Thus, this current research seeks to identify modulators of MRP2 protein expression levels using cell-based assays. A unique recently approved FDA library (372 drugs) was screened using a high-throughput In-Cell ELISA assay to determine the effect of these therapeutic agents on protein expression levels of MRP2. A total of 49 FDA drugs altered MRP2 protein expression levels by more than 50% representing 13.17% of the compounds screened. Among the identified hits, thirty-nine (39) drugs increased protein expression levels whereas 10 drugs lowered protein expression levels of MRP2 after drug treatment. Our findings from this initial drug screening showed that modulators of MRP2 peregrinate multiple drug families and signify the importance of profiling drug interactions with this transporter. Data from this study provides essential information to improve combinatorial drug therapy and precision medicine as well as reduce the drug toxicity of various cancer chemotherapies.

Differential expression of breast cancer-resistance protein,lung resistance protein,and multidrug resistance protein 1 in retinas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

AIM：To investigate the altering expression profiles of efflux transporters such as breast cancer-resistance protein（BCRP）,lung resistance protein（LRP）,and multidrug resistance protein 1（MDR1） at the inner blood-retinal barrier（BRB） during the development of early diabetic retinopathy（DR） and/or aging in mice.METHODS：Relative m RNA and protein expression profiles of these three efflux transporters in the retina during the development of early DR and/or aging in mice were examined.The differing expression profiles of Zonula occludens 1（ ZO-1） and vascular endothelial growth factor-A（ VEGFA） in the retina as well as the perfusion characterization of fluorescein isothiocyanate（FITC）-dextran and Evans blue were examined to evaluate the integrity of the inner BRB.RESULTS：There were significant alterations in these three efflux transporters＇ expression profiles in the m RNA and protein levels of the retina during the development of diabetes mellitus and/or aging.The development of early DR was confirmed by the expression profiles of ZO-1 and VEGFA in the retina as well as the compromised integrity of the inner BRB.CONCLUSION：The expression profiles of some efflux transporters such as BCRP,LRP,and MDR1 in mice retina during diabetic and/or aging conditions are tested,and the attenuated expression of BCRP,LRP,and MDR1 along with the breakdown of the inner BRB is found,which may be linked to the pathogenesis of early DR.

EXPRESSION AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE GENE AND MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE-ASSOCIATEDPROTEIN GENE IN ACUTE LEUKEMIA

Objective: To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of multidrug resistance gene (mdr1) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) gene in acute leukemia. Methods: The expression of mdr1 and MRP assay in 55 patients with acute leukemia (AL) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The mdr1 and MRP gene expression levels in the relapsed AL and the blastic plastic phases of CML were significantly higher than those in the newly diagnostic AL and controls. The mdr1 and MRP gene expression levels in the clinical drug-resistant group were significantly higher than those in the non-drug-resistant group. The complete remission (CR) rate in patients with high mdr1 expression (14.3%) was significantly lower than that with low mdr1 expression (57.5%); similarly the CR rate in patients with high MRP level was also lower than that with low MRP level. Using both high expression of mdr1 and MRP gene as the indicator for evaluating multidrug resistance (MDR), the positive predictive value and accuracy increased in comparison with single gene high expression. Conclusion: Elevated level of mdr1 or MRP gene expression might be unfavorable prognostic factors for AL patient and may be used as an important index for predicting drug-resistance and relapse in AL patient. Measuring both mdr1 and MRP gene expression would increase accuracy and sensibility of evaluating MDR in acute leukemia.

Mobile genetic elements facilitate the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes in multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from duck farms

Multidrug-resistant(MDR)Enterobacteriaceae critically threaten duck farming and public health.The phenotypes,genotypes,and associated mobile genetic elements(MGEs)of MDR Enterobacteriaceae isolated from 6 duck farms in Zhejiang Province,China,were investigated.A total of 215 isolates were identified as Escherichia coli(64.65%),Klebsiella pneumoniae(12.09%),Proteus mirabilis(10.23%),Salmonella(8.84%),and Enterobacter cloacae(4.19%).Meanwhile,all isolates were resistant to at least two antibiotics.Most isolates carried tet(A)(85.12%),blaTEM(78.60%)and sul1(67.44%)resistance genes.Gene co-occurrence analysis showed that the resistance genes were associated with IS26 and integrons.A conjugative IncFII plasmid pSDM004 containing all the above MGEs was detected in Proteus mirabilis isolate SDM004.This isolate was resistant to 18 antibiotics and carried the blaNDM-5 gene.MGEs,especially plasmids,are the primary antibiotic resistance gene transmission route in duck farms.These findings provide a theoretical basis for the rational use of antibiotics in farms which are substantial for evaluating public health and food safety.

Survey of Multidrug Resistance and Class I Integron Prevalence in Chicken-derived Salmonella

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the multidrug resistance and prevalence of class I integrons in Salmonel a. [Method] Salmonel a strains were isolated from chicken farms in Shandong Province. Kauffmann-White classification method was employed to analyze the serotypes of Salmonel a strains. Minimum in-hibition concentration （MIC） of Salmonel a strains against 19 common antimicrobial drugs was analyzed determined with microdilution method. The class I integrons and carried drug resistance gene cassettes were detected by PCR. [Result] A total of 311 Salmonel a strains were isolated and classified into two serotypes, including 133 Salmonel a Indiana strains and 178 Salmonel a Enteritidis strains. Drug sensitivity test showed that the isolated Salmonel a strains were general y resistant to sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole, nalidixic acid, ampicil in, tetracycline, doxycycline and trimethoprim, with a multidrug resistance rate of 91.0% （283/311）; 99% strains were sensitive to amikacin and colistin. PCR assay indicated that the detection rate of class I integrons was 65.0% （202/311）; the positive rate of class I integrons in Salmonel a strains with multidrug resistance was 92.6%; among 202 positive strains, six strains carried gene cassette dfr17-aadA5. [Conclusion] According to the above results, class I integrons exist general y in Salmonel a and are closely associated with the multidrug resistance of Salmonel a strains.

Influence of efflux pump inhibitors on the multidrug resistance of Helicobacter pylori

AIM:To evaluate the effect of efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) on multidrug resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).METHODS: H. pylori strains were isolated and cultured on Brucella agar plates with 10% sheep's blood. The multidrug resistant (MDR) H. pylori were obtained with the inducer chloramphenicol by repeated doubling of the concentration until no colony was seen, then the susceptibilities of the MDR strains and their parents to 9 antibiotics were assessed with agar dilution tests. The present study included periods before and after the advent of the EPIs, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), reserpine and pantoprazole), and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined accordingly. In the same way, the effects of 5 proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), used in treatment of H. pylori infection, on MICs of antibiotics were evaluated.RESULTS: Four strains of MDR H. pylori were induced successfully, and the antibiotic susceptibilities of MDR strains were partly restored by CCCP and pantoprazole, but there was little effect of reserpine. Rabeprazole was the most effective of the 5 PPIs which could decrease the MICs of antibiotics for MDR H. pylori significantly.CONCLUSION: In vitro, some EPIs can strengthen the activities of different antibiotics which are the putative substrates of the efflux pump system in H. pylori.

JNK1,JNK2,and JNK3 are involved in P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND:Multidrug resistance(MDR)is extremely common in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and is a major problem in cancer eradication by limiting the efficacy of chemotherapy.Modulation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase(JNK)activation could be a new method to reverse MDR.However,the relationship between JNK activity and MDR in HCC cells is unknown.This study aimed to explore the relationship between MDR and JNK in HCC cell lines with different degrees of MDR.METHODS:A MDR human HCC cell line,SMMC-7721/ ADM,was developed by exposing parental cells to gradually increasing concentrations of adriamycin.The MTT assay was used to determine drug sensitivity.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution and to measure the expression levels of P-glycoprotein(P-gp)and MDR-related protein(MRP)-1 in these cells.JNK1,JNK2 and JNK3 mRNA expression levels were quantified by real-time PCR.Expression and phosphorylation of JNK1,JNK2,and JNK3 were analyzed by Western blotting.RESULTS:The MDR of SMMC-7721/ADM cells resistant to 0.05 mg/L adriamycin was mainly attributed to the overexpression of P-gp but not MRP1.In addition,these cells had a significant increase in percentage in the S phase,accompanied by a decrease in percentage in the G0/G1 phase,which is likely associated with a reduced ability for cell proliferation and MDR generation.We found that JNK1,JNK2,and JNK3 activities were negatively correlated with the degree of MDR in HCC cells.CONCLUSION:This study suggests that JNK1,JNK2,and JNK3 activities are negatively correlated with the degree of MDR in HCC cells.

Structure-activity Relationship of Phenothiazines for Inhibition of Protein Kinase C and Reversal of Multidrug Resistance

Studies on structure-activity relationship of phenothiazines (PTZs) forinhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) and reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR) has been made invitro. The results showed that the order of potency of reversal effect of PTZs on MDR is as follows:2-COC_3 H_7 > 2-CF_3 > 2-COCH_3 > H. The type of piperazinyl substitution also significantlyaffected potency against MDR. The results show the order: CH_3 > COOC_2 H_5 > C_2 H_4 OH. Inaddition, PKC plays a marked role in diverse cellular process including MDR. Some derivatives of PTZwas tested for inhibition of PKC, of which PTZ11 showed the highest inhibitory effect of MDR andPKC, implying a potential reversal agent of MDR for tumor therapy in the future. We also tried toexplore the possible binding model of PTZs to PKC. Our molecular-modeling study preliminarilysuggests how these PTZs bind to PKC and provides a structural basis for the design of high affinityPKC-modulator. The infor-mation may be used in the rational design of more effective drugs.

Expression of multidrug-resistance associated proteins in human retinoblastoma treated by primary enucleation

AIM： To reveal the expression of multidrug-resistance associated proteins： glutathione-S-transferase π（GSTπ）, P-glycoprotein（P-gp） and vault protein lung resistance protein（LRP） in retinoblastoma（RB） without any conservative treatment before primary enucleation and to correlate this expression with histopathological tumor features. METHODS： A total of 42 specimens of RB undergone primary enucleation were selected for the research. Sections from the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens were stained with HE and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of GSTπ, P-gp and LRP.RESULTS： GSTπ was expressed in 39/42（92.86%） RBs and in 9/9（100%） well-differentiated RBs. P-gp/GSTπ was found in 30（71.42%） of 42 RBs. Totally 9（21.43%） tumors were well differentiated and 33（78.57%） were poorly differentiated. Totally 15（35.71%） eyes had optic nerve（ON） tumor invasion, 36（85.71%） had choroidal tumor invasion, and 14（33.33%） had simultaneous choroidal and ON invasion. There was no statistically significant relationship between P-gp, GSTπ, LRP positivity and the degree of ocular layer tumor invasion and ON tumor invasion（P〉0.05）. CONCLUSION： RB intrinsically expresses GSTπ, P-gp and LRP. GSTπ expression is positive in 100% welldifferentiation ones, so in which way it is correlated with differentiation. But the other two proteins expressions are not related to tumor differentiation and to the degree of tumor invasion. GSTπ may be a new target of chemotherapy in RB.

Reversal of Multidrug Resistance by Neferine in Adriamycin Resistant Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7/ADM

Objective: To study the reversal effect of neferine on adriamycin (ADM) resistant human breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADM. Methods: The cytotoxic effect of Nef or ADM was determined by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2.-yl], 5-diphenyl tetraxolium bromid (MTT) assay. Apoptosis and the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The intracellular ADM concentration was measured by HPLC. Results: Nef at 1, 5, 10 mol/L decreased the IC50 of ADM to MCF-7/ADM from 11.63 g/mL to 4.59, 2.44, 0.27 g/mL respectively. MCF-7/ADM could resist the apoptosis induced by ADM while Nef (1-10 mol/L) could augment ADR-mediated apoptosis. Nef (10 mol/L) increased the accumulation of ADM up to 2.88 fold in MCF-7/ADM but not in sensitive cells MCF-7/S and reduced the expression of P-gp in MCF-7/ADM cells. Conclusion: Nef can circumvent multidrug resistance (MDR) of MCF-7/ADM cells and the mechanism was associated with the increase of intracellular accumulation of ADM and the reduced expression of P-gp in MCF-7/ADM cells.

The Activity of Erianin and Chrysotoxine from Dendrobium chrysotoxum to Reverse Multidrug Resistance in B16/h MDR-1 Cells

The ability of two dihydrostilbene derivatives erianin and chrysotoxine from Dendrobium chrysotoxum to reverse multidrug resistant (MDR) cells was investigated using murine B16 melanoma cells transfected with the human MDR 1 gene and crossresistant to vinblastine and adriamycin (B16/h MDR 1 cells). Both of the two compounds were shown to increase the accumulation of adriamycin, the P glycoprotein (P gp) substrate, in B16/h MDR 1 transfectants.

Genotyping Characteristics of Human Fecal Escherichia coli and Their Association with Multidrug Resistance in Miyun District, Beijing

Objective To explore the genotyping characteristics of human fecal Escherichia coli(E. coli) and the relationships between antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs) and multidrug resistance(MDR) of E. coli in Miyun District, Beijing, an area with high incidence of infectious diarrheal cases but no related data.Methods Over a period of 3 years, 94 E. coli strains were isolated from fecal samples collected from Miyun District Hospital, a surveillance hospital of the National Pathogen Identification Network. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined by the broth microdilution method. ARGs,multilocus sequence typing(MLST), and polymorphism trees were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing data(WGS).Results This study revealed that 68.09% of the isolates had MDR, prevalent and distributed in different clades, with a relatively high rate and low pathogenicity. There was no difference in MDR between the diarrheal(49/70) and healthy groups(15/24).Conclusion We developed a random forest(RF) prediction model of TEM.1 + baeR + mphA + mphB +QnrS1 + AAC.3-IId to identify MDR status, highlighting its potential for early resistance identification. The causes of MDR are likely mobile units transmitting the ARGs. In the future, we will continue to strengthen the monitoring of ARGs and MDR, and increase the number of strains to further verify the accuracy of the MDR markers.

Antimicrobial peptides: new hope in the war against multidrug resistance

The discovery of antibiotics marked a golden age in the revolution of human medicine. However,decades later, bacterial infections remain a global healthcare threat, and a return to the pre-antibiotic era seems inevitable if stringent measures are not adopted to curb the rapid emergence and spread of multidrug resistance and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. In hospital settings, multidrug resistant(MDR) pathogens, including carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, vancomycin-resistant enterococci(VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), and extendedspectrum β-lactamases(ESBL) bearing Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae are amongst the most problematic due to the paucity of treatment options,increased hospital stay, and exorbitant medical costs. Antimicrobial peptides(AMPs) provide an excellent potential strategy for combating these threats. Compared to empirical antibiotics, they show low tendency to select for resistance, rapid killing action, broad-spectrum activity, and extraordinary clinical efficacy against several MDR strains. Therefore, this review highlights multidrug resistance among nosocomial bacterial pathogens and its implications and reiterates the importance of AMPs as next-generation antibiotics for combating MDR superbugs.

Inhibitory effects of emodin, baicalin, schizandrin and berberine on hef A gene: Treatment of Helicobacter pylori-induced multidrug resistance

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effects of emodin, baicalin, etc.on the hefA gene of multidrug resistance(MDR) in Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori).METHODS: The double dilution method was used to screen MDR H.pylori strains and determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of emodin, baicalin, schizandrin, berberine, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, amoxicillin and levofloxacin against H.pylori strains.After the screened MDR stains were treated with emodin, baicalin, schizandrin or berberine at a 1/2 MIC concentration for 48 h, changes in MICs of amoxicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, metronidazole and clarithromycin were determined.MDR strains with reduced MICs of amoxicillin were selected to detect the hefA mR NA expression by realtime quantitative PCR.RESULTS: A total of four MDR H.pylori strains were screened.Treatment with emodin, baicalin, schizandrin and berberine significantly decreased the MICs of amoxicillin and tetracycline against some strains, decreased by 1 to 2 times, but did not significantly change the MICs of clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole against MDR strains.In the majority of strains with reduced MICs of amoxicillin, hef A m RNA expression was decreased; one-way ANOVA(SPSS 12.0) used for comparative analysis, P < 0.05.CONCLUSION: Emodin, baicalin, schizandrin and berberine significantly decreased the MICs of amoxicillin and tetracycline against some H.pylori strains, possibly by mechanisms associated with decreasing hefA mR NA expression.

Biofilm formation in clinical isolates of nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii and its relationship with multidrug resistance

Objective: To check biofilm formation by Acinetobacter baumannii(A. baumannii)clinical isolates and show their susceptibility to different antibiotics and investigate a possible link between establishment of biofilm and multidrug resistance.Methods: This study was performed on clinical samples collected from patients with nosocomial infections in three hospitals of Tehran. Samples were initially screened by culture and biochemical tests for the presence of different species of Acinetobacter. Identifications were further confirmed by PCR assays. Their susceptibilities to 11 antibiotics of different classes were determined by disc diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The ability to produce biofilm was investigated using methods: culture on Congo red agar, microtiter plate, and test tube method.Results: From the overall clinical samples, 156 specimens were confirmed to contain A. baumannii. The bacteria were highly resistant to most antibiotics except polymyxin B.Of these isolates, 10.26% were able to produce biofilms as shown on Congo red agar.However, the percentage of bacteria with positive biofilm in test tube, standard microtiter plate, and modified microtiter plate assays were 48.72%, 66.66%, and 73.72%, respectively. At least 92% of the biofilm forming isolates were multidrug resistant.Conclusions: Since most of the multidrug resistant strains produce biofilm, it seems necessary to provide continuous monitoring and determination of antibiotic susceptibility of clinical A. baumannii. This would help to select the most appropriate antibiotic for treatment.

Synergistic Effect of Hyperthermia and Neferine on Reverse Multidrug Resistance in Adriamycin-resistant SGC7901/ADM Gastric Cancer Cells

Multidrug resistance（MDR） plays a major obstacle to successful gastric cancer chemotherapy.The purpose of this study was to investigate the MDR reversal effect and mechanisms of hyperthermia in combination with neferine（Nef） in adriamycin（ADM） resistant human SGC7901/ADM gastric cancer cells.The MDR cells were heated at 42℃ and 45℃ for 30 min alone or combined with 10 μg/mL Nef.The cytotoxic effect of ADM was evaluated by MTT assay.Cellular plasma membrane lipid fluidity was detected by fluorescence polarization technique.Intracellular accumulation of ADM was monitored with high performance liquid chromatography.Mdr-1 mRNA,P-glycoprotein（P-gp）,γH2AX expression and γH2AX foci formation were determined by real-time PCR,Western blot and immunocytochemical staining respectively.It was found that different heating methods induced different cytotoxic effects.Water submerged hyperthermia had the strongest cytotoxicity of ADM and Nef combined with hyperthermia had a synergistic cytotoxicity of ADM in the MDR cells.The water submerged hyperthermia increased the cell membrane fluidity.Both water submerged hyperthermia and Nef increased the intracellular accumulation of ADM.The water submerged hyperthermia and Nef down-regulated the expression of mdr-1 mRNA and P-gp.The water submerged hyperthermia could damage DNA and increase the γH2AX expression of SGC7901/ADM cells.The higher temperature was,the worse effect was.Our results show that combined treatment of hyperthermia with Nef can synergistically reverse MDR in human SGC7901/ADM gastric cancer cells.

Reversing multidrug resistance by RNA interference through the suppression of MDR1 gene in human hepatoma cells

AIM： To reverse the multidrug resistance （MDR） by RNA interference （RNAi）-mediated MDRI suppression in heparoma cells.METHODS： For reversing MDR by RNAi technology, two different short hairpin RNAs （shRNAs） were designed and constructed into pGenSil-1 plasmid, respectively. They were then transfected into a highly adriarnycin-resistant HepG2 hepatorna cell line （HepG2/ADM）. The RNAi effect on MDR was evaluated by real-time PCR, cell cytotoxicity assay and rhodarnine 123 （Rh123） efflux assy. RESULTS： The stably-transfected clones showed various degrees of reversal of MDR phenotype. Surprisingly, the MDR phenotype was completely reversed in two transfected clones. CONCLUSION： MDR can be reversed by the shRNAmediated MDRI suppression in HepG2/ADM cells, which provides a valuable clue to make multidrug-resistant hepatoma cells sensitive to anti-cancer drugs.

Reversal of multidrug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by metformin through inhibiting NF-κB gene transcription

AIM: To interfere with the activation of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) with metformin and explore its effect in reversing multidrug resistance(MDR) of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells.METHODS: Expression of P-glycoprotein(P-gp) and NF-κB in human HepG 2 or HepG 2/adriamycin(ADM) cells treated with pC MV-NF-κB-small interference RNA(siR NA) with or without metformin, was analyzed by Western blot or fluorescence quantitative PCR. Cell viability was tested by CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry and Annexin-V-PE/7-AnnexinV apoptosis detection double staining assay, respectively. RESULTS: P-gp overexpression in HepG 2 and HepG 2/ADM cells was closely related to mdr1 mR NA(3.310 ± 0.154) and NF-κB mR NA(2.580 ± 0.040) expression. NF-κB gene transcription was inhibited by specific siR NA with significant down-regulation of P-gp and enhanced HCC cell chemosensitivity to doxorubicin. After pretreatment with metformin, Hep G2/ADM cells were sensitized to doxorubicin and P-gp was decreased through the NF-κB signaling pathway. The synergistic effect of metformin and NF-κB siR NA were found in HepG 2/ADM cells with regard to proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest and inducing cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Metformin via silencing NF-κB signaling could effectively reverse MDR of HCC cells by downregulating MDR1/P-gp expression.

Reversal of Multidrug Resistance and Inhibition of Phosphorylation of AKT in Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Line by Wild-type PTEN Gene

The reversing effect of wild-type PTEN gene on resistance of C 13K cells to cisplatin and its inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of protein kinase B （AKT） were studied. The expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in OV2008 cells and C13K cells were semi-quantitatively detected by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid containing human wild-type PTEN gene was transfected into C13K cells by lipofectamine2000. The expression of PTEN mRNA was monitored by RT-PCR and the expression of PTEN, Akt, p-Akt protein were ana- lyzed by Western blotting in PTEN-transfected and non-transfected C13K cells. Proliferation and chemosensitivity of cells to DDP were measured by MTT, and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry after treatment with cisplatin. The expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in OV2008 cells were significantly higher than those in C13K cells. After transfection with PTEN gene for 48 h, the expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in C 13K cells were 2.04 ± 0.10, 0.94± 0.04 respectively and the expression of p-Akt protein （ 0.94± 0.07） was lower than those in control groups （1.68 ±0.14, 1.66± 0.10） （P〈 0.05）. The IC50 of DDP to C 13 K cells transfected with PTEN （7.2± 0.3 la mol/L） was obviously lower than those of empty-vector transfected cells and non-transfected cells （12.7±0.4 lamol/1, 13.0±0.3 lamol/L） （P〈0.05）. The apopototis ratio of wild-type PTEN-transfected, empty vector transfected and non-transfected C13K cells were （41.65___0.87）%, （18.61 ±0.70）% and （15.28±0.80）% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. PTEN gene plays an important role in ovarian cancer multidrug resistance. Transfection of PTEN could increase the expression of PTEN and restore drug sensitivity to cisplatin in human ovarian cancer cell line C 13K with multidrug-resistance by decreasing the expression of p-Akt.