Title:Suppression of HIV-1 Viral Replication by Inhibiting Drug Efflux Transporters in Activated Macrophages
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Author(s): Ying Mu and Theodore J. Cory*
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy 881 Madison, Memphis,United States
Keywords:
PGP, MRP1, ethanol, drug efflux transporter inhibition, NF-κB signaling inhibition, intracellular drug concentration,
HIV viral replication.
Abstract: Background: Ethanol has been shown to increase oxidative stress, drug efflux transporter
expression, and promote HIV progression. Macrophages, which express drug efflux transporters,
serve as an essential sanctuary site for HIV. The antiretroviral drug lopinavir, a protease inhibitor,
is a substrate of the drug efflux transporters P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated
protein 1. The NF-κB signaling pathway is associated with inflammation and drug efflux transporter
expression.
Objective: To examine the effects of ethanol on drug efflux transporters and HIV replication of
macrophages and develop strategies to increase the efficacy of the protease inhibitor.
Methods: The expression of PGP and MRP1 was examined with western blot. The NF- κB inhibition
was assessed with nuclear western blot. LC-MS/MS and p24 ELISA were used to assess intracellular
LPV and viral replication.
Results: Ethanol at 40mM slightly increased drug efflux transporter PGP and MRP1 expression in
activated macrophages. IKK-16, an NF- κB inhibitor, counteracted the increased transporter expression
caused by ethanol exposure. MK571, an MRP1 inhibitor, and IKK-16 significantly increased
intracellular LPV concentration with or without ethanol treatment. MK571 significantly increased
LPV efficacy in suppressing viral replication with or without ethanol treatment. A decreasing trend
and a significant decrease were observed with IKK-16+LPV treatment compared with LPV alone
in the no ethanol treatment and ethanol treatment groups, respectively.
Conclusion: In activated macrophages, inhibiting drug efflux transporter MRP1 activity and reducing
its expression may represent a promising approach to suppress viral replication by increasing intracellular
antiretroviral concentrations. However, different strategies may be required for ethanolrelated
vs. untreated groups.
