title: Expression and localization of P-glycoprotein in human heart: effects of cardiomyopathy.
abstract: ABC-type transport proteins, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), modify intracellular concentrations of many substrate compounds. They serve as functional barriers against entry of xenobiotics (e.g., in the gut or the blood-brain barrier) or contribute to drug excretion. Expression of transport proteins in the heart could be an important factor modifying cardiac concentrations of drugs known to be transported by P-gp (e.g., beta-blockers, cardiac glycosides, doxorubicin). We therefore investigated the expression and localization of P-gp in human heart. Samples from 15 human hearts (left ventricle; five non-failing, five dilated cardiomyopathy, and five ischemic cardiomyopathy) were analyzed for expression of P-gp using real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of P-gp in endothelium of both arterioles and capillaries of all heart samples. Although P-gp mRNA was detected in all samples, its expression level was significantly reduced in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. We describe variable expression of P-gp in human heart and its localization in the endothelial wall. Thus, intracardiac concentrations of various compounds may be modified, depending on the individual P-gp level.
mesh_terms: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000378:metabolism*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1