Characterization and Validation of Canine P-Glycoprotein-Deficient MDCK II Cell Lines for Efflux Substrate Screening

Abstract

Purpose: We characterized three canine P-gp (cP-gp) deficient MDCKII cell lines. Their relevance for identifying efflux transporter substrates and predicting limitation of brain penetration were evaluated. In addition, we discuss how compound selection can be done in drug discovery by using these cell systems.

Method: hMDR1, hBCRP-transfected, and non-transfected MDCKII ZFN cells (all with knock-down of endogenous cP-gp) were used for measuring permeability and efflux ratios for substrates. The compounds were also tested in MDR1_Caco-2 and BCRP_Caco-2, each with a double knock-out of BCRP/MRP2 or MDR1/MRP2 transporters respectively. Efflux results were compared between the MDCK and Caco-2 models. Furthermore, in vitro MDR1_ZFN efflux data were correlated with in vivo unbound drug brain-to-plasma partition coefficient (K_p,_uu).

Results: MDR1 and BCRP substrates are correctly classified and robust transporter affinities with control substrates are shown. Cell passage mildly influenced mRNA levels of transfected transporters, but the transporter activity was proven stable for several years. The MDCK and Caco-2 models were in high consensus classifying same efflux substrates. Approx. 80% of enlisted substances were correctly predicted with the MDR1_ZFN model for brain penetration.

Conclusion: cP-gp deficient MDCKII ZFN models are reliable tools to identify MDR1 and BCRP substrates and useful for predicting efflux liability for brain penetration.

Keywords: Brain penetration; Efflux ratio (ER); Madin-Darby canine kidney type II (MDCKII) cells; Net efflux ratio (NER); Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs).