Cyclosporin a treatment induces overexpression of p-glycoprotein in the kidney and other tissues. Jett[acute]e, Lucie, Edith Beaulieu, Jean-Marie Leclerc, and Richard B[acute]eliveau. Laboratoire de Membranologie, Groupe de Recherche en Bioth[acute]erapeutique Mol[acute]eculaire, D[acute]epartement de Chimie-Biochimie, Universit[acute]e du Qu[acute]ebec [grave]a Montr[acute]eal, C.P. 8888, Succursale A, Montr[acute]eal, Qu[acute]ebec, Canada, H3C 3P8, H[circumflex]opital Ste-Justine, Montr[acute]eal, Qu[acute]ebec, Canada
APStracts 2:0197F, 1995.
To see whether P-gp expressed in renal brush border membranes (BBM) could interact with compounds known as modulators of multidrug resistance (MDR), photoaffinity labeling experiments were performed. A 145-kDa protein was photolabeled with [125I]iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) and this labeling was reduced in the presence of cyclosporin A (CsA) and PSC 833 (PSC). Interaction of CsA with P-gp was further investigated by treating rats with daily subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of CsA (10 mg/(kg.day)). Following this treatment, P-gp expression levels were dramatically increased in renal BBM, intestine, liver, and many other tissues, except the brain. This induction was a reversible process since following cessation of CsA administration, P-gp levels declined to reach values similar to those of the control groups. The increase in P-gp expression in the kidney was also detected in photolabeling experiments, suggesting the induction of a functional P-gp. A higher dose of CsA (50 mg/kg) given as a bolus injection did not modify P-gp expression in renal BBM. These results demonstrate that CsA induces reversible overexpression of P-gp in the rat. This may present significant relevance in the design of clinical trials using CsA as a chemosensitizing agent.

Received 18 May 1995; accepted in final form 27 October 1995.
APS Manuscript Number F157-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Renal Fluid Electrolyte
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 30 November 95