title: Comparison of drug transporter gene expression and functionality in Caco-2 cells from 10 different laboratories.
abstract: Caco-2 cells, widely used to study carrier mediated uptake and efflux mechanisms, are known to have different properties when cultured under different conditions. In this study, Caco-2 cells from 10 different laboratories were compared in terms of mRNA expression levels of 72 drug and nutrient transporters, and 17 other target genes, including drug metabolising enzymes, using real-time PCR. The rank order of the top five expressed genes was: HPT1>GLUT3>GLUT5>GST1A>OATP-B. Rank correlation showed that for most of the samples, the gene ranking was not significantly different. Functionality of transporters and the permeability of passive transport markers metoprolol (transcellular) and atenolol (paracellular) were also compared. MDR1 and PepT1 function was investigated using talinolol and Gly-Sar transport, respectively. Sulfobromophthalein (BSP) was used as a marker for MRP2 and OATP-B functionality. Atenolol permeability was more variable across laboratories than metoprolol permeability. Talinolol efflux was observed by all the laboratories, whereas only five laboratories observed significant apical uptake of Gly-Sar. Three laboratories observed significant efflux of BSP. MDR1 expression significantly correlated to the efflux ratio and net active efflux of talinolol. PepT1 mRNA levels showed significant correlation to the uptake ratio and net active uptake of Gly-Sar. MRP2 and OATP-B showed no correlation to BSP transport parameters. Heterogeneity in transporter activity may thus be due to differences in transporter expression as shown for PepT1 and MDR1 which in turn is determined by the culture conditions. Absolute expression of genes was variable indicating that small differences in culture conditions have a significant impact on gene expression, although the overall expression patterns were similar.
authors.affiliation: Discovery DMPK and Bioanalytical Chemistry, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden. hayeshir@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hayeshi
authors.forename: Constanze
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hilgendorf
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Artursson
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Augustijns
authors.forename: Birger
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brodin
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dehertogh
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fossati
authors.forename: Egbert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hovenkamp
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Korjamo
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masungi
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maubon
authors.forename: Raf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mols
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Müllertz
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mönkkönen
authors.forename: Caitriona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Driscoll
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Oppers-Tiemissen
authors.forename: Eva G E
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Ragnarsson
authors.forename: Martijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rooseboom
authors.forename: Anna-Lena
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ungell
mesh_terms: D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D015870:Gene Expression; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D010539:Permeability; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005819:Genetic Markers; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals