Publication
Title
Vaginal expression of efflux transporters and the potential impact on the disposition of microbicides in vitro and in rabbits
Author
Abstract
In order to reach sufficiently high tissue concentrations and thus be effective, vaginally applied anti-HIV microbicides that are active at the level of the immune cells must permeate across the cervicovaginal mucosal layer. Cellular efflux transporters, such as Pgp, BCRP, and MRP-2, have been demonstrated to greatly affect drug disposition at different sites in the body including the intestine and the bloodbrain barrier; their possible role on drug uptake from the female genital tract, however, has not been elucidated yet. In the present study, the protein expression of Pgp, BCRP, and MRP-2 in endocervical and vaginal tissue of premenopausal women was confirmed by Western blot analysis. To enable the assessment of transporter effects in vitro, the identification of an appropriate cervicovaginal cell line was pursued. The cervical SiHa cell line was observed to express mRNA of the 3 studied transporters, but only MRP-2 was found to be active. Consequently, the established Caco-2 cell line was utilized as an alternative in which the interaction of 10 microbicide candidates with the efflux transporters was studied. Darunavir, saquinavir, and maraviroc were identified as Pgp and MRP-2 substrates. The impact of Pgp on in vivo drug disposition was further examined for the model Pgp substrate talinolol in rabbits. Its vaginal uptake was significantly reduced by Pgp-mediated efflux when formulated in a neutral but not in an acidic gel. Our findings indicate the expression of a functional Pgp transporter in the vaginal mucosa that may severely reduce the vaginal uptake of Pgp substrates, including certain microbicide candidates, especially in women with an increased vaginal pH.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Molecular Pharmaceutics. - -
Publication
2014
ISSN
1543-8384
DOI
10.1021/MP5005004
Volume/pages
11 :12 (2014) , p. 4405-4414
ISI
000345720700010
Pubmed ID
25327902
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Combined highly active anti-retroviral microbicides (CHAARM).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 13.01.2015
Last edited 28.01.2024
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