Vasospastic persons exhibit differential expression of ABC-transport proteins.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the gene expression levels of the ABC-proteins MDR1 (P-glycoprotein) and MRP (multidrug resistance-associated protein) isoforms in isolated mononuclear cells of vasospastic persons with increased Endothelin-1 plasma levels.


METHODS
Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of the MDR1 (P-glycoprotein) gene and MRP1 to MRP5 genes as well as the expression of the ETA and ETB receptor in mononuclear cells derived from 11 vasospastic subjects compared to 10 healthy controls.


RESULTS
Mononuclear cells of vasospastic subjects showed a significant decrease in the expression of MDR1 (P-glycoprotein) gene (p=0.029), MRP2 gene (p=0.003), and MRP5 gene (p=0.013) when compared to healthy controls. These effects were poorly correlated with ET-1 plasma levels. No significant ETA and ETB receptor expression was observed in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Vasospastic persons differ in their expression pattern of MDR proteins from healthy controls. This might be an indirect effect of elevated ET-1 levels.
Wunderlich
Kerstin
K
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Zimmerman
Christian
C
Gutmann
Heike
H
Teuchner
Barbara
B
Flammer
Josef
J
Drewe
Juergen
J
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000235:genetics*; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A / Q000235:genetics; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000235:genetics*
D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D019332:Endothelin-1; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B