Skip to main content
NCBI home page
NIHPA Author Manuscripts logoLink to NIHPA Author Manuscripts
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2008 Mar 17.
Published in final edited form as: J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2007 Oct 25;324(2):674–684. doi: 10.1124/jpet.107.131045

Role of Pregnane X Receptor in Control of All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) Metabolism and Its Potential Contribution to ATRA Resistance

Ting Wang 1, Xiaochao Ma 1, Kristopher W Krausz 1, Jeffrey R Idle 1, Frank J Gonzalez 1
PMCID: PMC2268525  NIHMSID: NIHMS35368  PMID: 17962516

Abstract

Although all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is an effective treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia and several solid tumors, its use is limited by resistance due to increased metabolism. The most studied mechanism for ATRA resistance is the autoinduced metabolism regulated by the retinoic acid receptor-CYP26 pathway. However, treatment of cancer is usually not done with a single antineoplastic agent, but with a variety of combined chemotherapy regimens, including several anticancer drugs, and other concomitantly administered supportive drugs. Pregnane X receptor (PXR), an orphan nuclear receptor that functions as a ligand-activated transcription factor, serves as an important xenobiotic sensor regulating metabolism and elimination. Many prescription drugs are PXR ligands, which can activate PXR target genes, including phase I enzyme, phase II enzyme, and transporter genes. The present study was designed to examine the role of PXR in ATRA metabolism. Due to the marked species differences in response to PXR ligands, Pxr-null, wild-type, and PXR-humanized transgenic mouse models were used. In addition to pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile, several clinically relevant PXR ligands (rifampicin and dexamethasone) all increased ATRA metabolism both in vitro and in vivo, which was PXR-dependent, and up-regulation of Cyp3a was the major contributor. Furthermore, induction of the Mdr1a, Mrp3, and Oatp2 genes was also observed. This study suggested that coadministration of PXR ligands can increase ATRA metabolism through activation of the PXR-CYP3A pathway, which might be a mechanism for some form of ATRA resistance. Other PXR target transporters might also be involved.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is currently used as a chemotherapeutic agent against acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), breast cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, and glioma (Muindi et al., 1992b; Defer et al., 1997; Toma et al., 2000; Bernstein et al., 2002). ATRA modulates the transcription of a set of genes associated with cellular apoptosis, growth, and differentiation by binding to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs). Incorporation of ATRA into the treatment of APL was the most significant step forward over the past 25 years, resulting in very high rates of complete remission and cure. Unfortunately, despite the general efficacy of ATRA-based therapy, a major drawback to its clinical application is the prompt development of resistance.

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the involved ATRA resistance arising during cancer therapy, including increased metabolism, sequestration by cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins, decreased uptake by P-glycoprotein (Pgp), and mutations in the ligand-binding domain of promyelocytic leukemia protein-RARα fusion protein, most of which, however,were notwell elucidated and still remain controversial when comparing in vitro data with in vivo data (Gallagher, 2002). The only well recognized mechanism is the clear relationship between induction of ATRA metabolism and progressive clinical resistance to ATRA demonstrated in APL patients (Muindi et al., 1992a).

ATRA metabolism is complex and only partially understood at the present time. However, it is thought that ATRA can be oxidized by cytochromes P450 (P450s) to various metabolites, including 4-hydroxy-RA (4-OH-RA), 18-OH-RA, 5,6-epoxy-RA, and 4-oxo-RA, which may be further biotransformed into glucuronides via UDP-glucuronosyltransferase-mediated conjugation (Napoli, 1999; Samokyszyn et al., 2000). The most prominent pathway begins with a rate-limiting hydroxylation at the C-4 position of the cyclohexenyl ring leading to formation of 4-OH-RA. More recently, a major involvement of P450s CYP3A4/5/7, CYP2C8/9, CYP1A1, and CYP4A11 in the oxidation of ATRA, and the CYP3A subfamily as the most active P450s in the formation of 4-OH-RA, 4-oxo-RA, and 18-OH-RA was reported (Marill et al., 2000). A unique ATRA-inducible P450, CYP26, that specifically metabolizes ATRA was also identified, and this enzyme is considered to be an important regulator of endogenous ATRA homeostasis (Ray et al., 1997; White et al., 1997). Due to its key role in a feedback loop where ATRA levels are controlled in an auto-regulatory manner, CYP26 was supposed to be one of the mechanisms causing resistance to continuous ATRA therapy. However, ATRA resistance still occurs in patients who relapsed from regimens combining chemotherapy with ATRA, despite limited and intermittent ATRA exposure. Most importantly, treatment of cancer is usually not done with a single antineoplastic agent, but with a variety of combined chemotherapy regimens, including several anticancer drugs, and other concomitantly administered supportive drugs. Therefore, the possibility exists that another pathway is induced by concomitantly administered drugs that regulates ATRA metabolism and that may be responsible for some form of ATRA resistance.

Pregnane X receptor (PXR; NR1I2), a member of the nuclear receptor family that is activated by many prescription drugs, regulates a large number of genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism, including oxidation, conjugation, and transport; thus, it serves as a generalized xenobiotic sensor that protects the body from chemical challenge. Therefore, the present study was designed to analyze the role of PXR in ATRA metabolism. Due to the species differences in response to PXR ligands, Pxr-null, wild-type (mPXR), and PXR-humanized transgenic (hPXR) mice were used to examine the effects of various PXR ligands on ATRA metabolism and the possible mechanisms. In this way, a more effective translation of bench research to bedside is envisaged.

Materials and Methods

Chemicals

ATRA, CD437, pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN), rifampicin (RIF), dexamethasone (DEX), and NADPH were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). 4-OH-RA and 4-oxo-RA were kindly provided by Dr. Hector DeLuca.

Animals and Treatments

Pxr-null mice were generously provided by Dr. Steven Kliewer and PXR-humanized transgenic mice were generated as described previously (Ma et al., 2007). Mice were maintained under a standard 12-h light/12-h dark cycle with water and chow provided ad libitum. Handling was in accordance with animal study protocols approved by the National Cancer Institute Animal Care and Use Committee. Eight- to 9-week-old mice were treated with either vehicle (corn oil); PCN, a rodent-specific PXR ligand (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–3); RIF, a human-specific PXR ligand (10 mg/kg p.o. days 1–3); or DEX (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–5). The mice were used in pharmacokinetics study or sacrificed for tissues 24 h after the last dose.

RNA Preparation and Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis

Total RNA from mouse livers was isolated using TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). qPCR was performed using cDNA generated from 1 μg of total RNA with the SuperScript II Reverse Transcriptase kit (Invitrogen). Primers were designed using Primer Express version 2.0 (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA), and sequences are available upon request. qPCR reactions were carried out using SYBR Green polymerase chain reaction master mix (SuperArray, Frederick, MD) with an ABI Prism 7900HT Sequence Detection System instrument and software (Applied Biosystems). Values were quantified using the comparative CT method, and samples were normalized to β-actin mRNA.

Microsome Preparation and Western Blot Analysis

Liver microsomes were prepared as described previously (Ma et al., 2007). For Western blot analysis, microsomal protein (10 μg) from each sample was separated by 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and blotted onto nitrocellulose membrane, and then it was incubated overnight at 4°C with a 1:1000 dilution of a primary antibody either against rat CYP3A1/2 (monoclonal antibody 2-3-2) or mouse Gapdh (Chemicon International, Temecula, CA). Secondary antibody, goat anti-mouse IgG was purchased from Jackson Immuno-Research Laboratories Inc. (West Grove, PA). Detection of immuno-reactive proteins was done by an enhanced chemiluminescence blot detection system (Pierce Chemical, Rockford, IL).

In Vitro ATRA 4-Hydroxylation

The standard assay mixture contained, in a total volume of 200 μl, 2 mM NADPH, 100 to 150 μg of mouse liver microsomal protein in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, and 2.5, 5, or 10 μM ATRA. Reactions were initiated by the addition of NADPH at 37°C for 30 min, and they were terminated by the addition of 100 μl of ice-cold methanol. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was carried out using a ZORBAX SB-C18 column (3.5 μm; 150 × 4.6 mm; Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA). The initial mobile phase was 58% methanol in 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 7.4, at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. After 6.5 min, the methanol concentration was increased linearly to 82% over a 2.5-min time period and continued at 82% for an additional 5 min. Each analysis lasted for 20 min. The detection wavelength for 4-OH-RA was set at 343 nm with UV detector. All manipulations were performed under yellow light since retinoids are light-sensitive.

Pharmacokinetic Analysis of ATRA by LC-MS/MS

Mice were administered 10 mg/kg ATRA orally by gavage 24 h after the last dose of PXR ligands. Blood samples were collected from suborbital veins using heparinized tubes at 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, and 420 min after the administration. Serum samples mixed with CD437 (internal standard) were extracted with ethyl acetate as described previously (Peng et al., 1987). ATRA and CD437 were separated on a Luna 3 μm C18 50 × 2 mm column (Phenomenex, Torrance, CA) and detected by liquid chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using a high-performance liquid chromatography system consisting of a PerkinElmer Series 200 quaternary pump, vacuum degasser, and autosampler with a 100-μl loop interfaced to an API2000 Sciex triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (Applied Biosystems/MDS Sciex, Foster City, CA). The initial mobile phase was 40% acetonitrile in 10 mM ammonium acetate, pH 7.0, at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. After 3 min, the acetonitrile concentration was increased linearly to 90% over a 2-min time period and continued at 90% for an additional 4 min. Each analysis lasted for 10 min. The mass spectrometer was equipped with a turbo ion spray source and run in the negative ion mode. The turbo ion spray temperature was maintained at 300°C, and a voltage of 4.8 kV was applied to the sprayer needle. Nitrogen was used as both turbo ion spray and nebulizing gas. The detection and quantification of analysts were performed using the multiple reactions monitoring mode, with m/z 299.1/246.4 for ATRA and 397.1/347.0 for CD437. The raw data were processed using Analyst Software (Agi-lent Technologies). Pharmacokinetic parameters for ATRA were estimated from the serum concentration-time data by a noncompart-mental approach using WinNonlin (Pharsight, Mountain View, CA). The maximum concentration in serum (Cmax) was obtained from the original data. The area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC)0-∞ was calculated by the trapezoidal rule.

Statistical Analysis

All values are expressed as the means ± S.D., and group differences were analyzed by unpaired Student's t test.

Results

Role of PXR Ligands on the CYP3A Pathway of ATRA 4-Hydroxylation

ATRA is metabolized by P450s via several routes leading to a number of polar metabolites. The most prominent pathway commences with rate-limiting 4-hydroxylation. To investigate the influences of PXR ligands on ATRA metabolism in vitro, hepatic microsomal ATRA 4-hydroxylation was examined by HPLC. Mouse liver microsomes were incubated over a range of ATRA concentrations, in an attempt to represent the range of in vivo concentrations. The detection limit of 4-OH-RA was 3.5 pmol. At a low substrate concentration (2.5 μM ATRA), 4-OH-RA was not detectable in all the three vehicle-treated mouse lines. However, ATRA 4-hydroxylation was 2.07 ± 0.61 pmol/min/mg protein (P = 0.04) in PCN-treated mPXR mice, 3.66 ± 0.17 pmol/min/mg protein (P < 0.01) in DEX-treated mPXR mice, 2.84 ± 0.11 pmol/min/mg protein (P < 0.01) in RIF-treated hPXR mice, and 3.87 ± 0.33 pmol/min/mg protein (P < 0.01) in DEX-treated hPXR mice. At a higher substrate concentration (5 μM ATRA), ATRA 4-hydroxylation increased 234% in mPXR mice treated with PCN (9.28 ± 1.17 versus 3.96 ± 1.15 pmol/min/mg protein; P = 0.04), 239% in mPXR mice treated with DEX (11.32 ± 0.67 versus 4.74 ± 0.99 pmol/min/mg protein; P = 0.02), 198% in hPXR mice treated with RIF (8.13 ± 0.43 versus 4.11 ± 0.77 pmol/min/mg protein; P = 0.02), and 220% in hPXR mice treated with DEX (8.74 ± 0.38 versus 3.97 ± 1.32 pmol/min/mg protein; P = 0.04) compared with the vehicle-treated controls. At the highest concentration used (10 μM ATRA), the metabolism increased 291% in mPXR mice after PCN treatment (20.30 ± 2.28 versus 6.97 ± 0.09 pmol/min/mg protein; P < 0.01), 216% in mPXR mice after DEX treatment (16.01 ± 1.59 versus 7.42 ± 0.50 pmol/ min/mg protein; P = 0.02), 225% in hPXR mice following RIF administration (18.73 ± 0.63 versus 8.31 ± 0.37 pmol/min/mg protein; P < 0.01), and 222% in hPXR mice following DEX administration (14.95 ± 1.47 versus 6.74 ± 1.61 pmol/min/mg protein; P = 0.03) relative to the vehicle controls (Fig. 1). Consistent with the increased ATRA metabolism, an up-regulation of mouse Cyp3a protein was noted in mPXR and hPXR mice following PCN, RIF, or DEX treatment (Fig. 2). In agreement with these data, Cyp3a11 mRNA levels were elevated 2.7-fold (P < 0.01) in PCN-treated mPXR mice and 2.4-fold (P = 0.04) in RIF-treated hPXR mice above the control levels. There was no difference observed in the expression of other phase I enzymes, including the specific ATRA 4-hydroxylases Cyp26a1 and Cyp26b1, in PCN- or RIF-treated mice (Fig. 3). In contrast, PCN and DEX had no significant effect on Pxr-null mice, either on ATRA 4-hydroxylation, or on the level of Cyp3a protein.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Open in a new tab

In vitro hepatic ATRA 4-hydroxylation activity regulated by PXR ligands. mPXR, Pxr-null, and hPXR mice were treated with or without PXR ligands: Cont, vehicle control; PCN (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–3); RIF (10 mg/kg p.o. days 1–3); and DEX (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–5). Standards ran as follows on HPLC: ATRA, 12.25 min; 4-OH-RA, 9.56 min; and 4-oxo-RA, 8.59 min. Mouse liver microsomes were incubated with 2.5, 5, and 10 μM ATRA for 30 min. Data are expressed as means ± S.D., n = 2. *, P < 0.05 compared with control; **, P < 0.01 compared with control.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

Open in a new tab

Hepatic protein levels of Cyp3a regulated by PXR ligands. mPXR, Pxr-null, and hPXR mice were treated with or without PXR ligands: Cont, vehicle control; PCN (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–3); RIF (10 mg/kg p.o. days 1–3); and DEX, (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–5). Gapdh protein served as a loading control for Western blot.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

Open in a new tab

Hepatic mRNA levels of Cyp3a and Cyp26 regulated by PXR ligands. mPXR, Pxr-null, and hPXR mice were treated with or without PXR ligands: Cont, vehicle control; PCN (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–3); RIF (10 mg/kg p.o. days 1–3); and DEX (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–5). mRNA levels of Cyp3a11, Cyp26a1, and Cyp26b1 genes were analyzed by qPCR. Data represent -fold activation relative to vehicle control, means ± S.D., n = 3. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; and ***, P < 0.001.

Role of the CYP26 Pathway of ATRA 4-Hydroxylation

To replicate better the clinical regimen of ATRA administration, mPXR mice were given 10 mg/kg ATRA by gavage daily for 32 days. Liver samples were collected 8 h after the last dose. At low concentration (2.5 μM ATRA), ATRA 4-hydroxylation was 2.05 ± 0.36 pmol/min/mg protein in ATRA-pretreated mPXR mice compared with undetectable in the vehicle-treated controls (P < 0.01). At higher concentrations (5 μM ATRA), metabolism increased 171% in mPXR mice pretreated with ATRA (5.01 ± 0.09 versus 2.93 ± 0.16 pmol/min/mg protein; P < 0.01) relative to controls. At the highest concentration used (10 μM ATRA), a slight but not highly significant increase (130%) was noted in mPXR mice after ATRA pretreatment (9.02 ± 0.62 versus 6.95 ± 0.36 pmol/min/mg protein; P = 0.06) compared with controls (Fig. 4A). Corresponding to the increased ATRA metabolism, an up-regulation of Cyp26 mRNA expression (3.6-fold for Cyp26a1, P < 0.01; and 5.1-fold for Cyp26b1; P < 0.01) but not Cyp3a expression was observed in mPXR mice following ATRA pretreatment (Fig. 4, B and C).

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

Open in a new tab

Hepatic ATRA 4-hydroxylation activity and levels of Cyp3a and Cyp26 regulated by chronic administration of ATRA. mPXR mice were treated with or without ATRA: Cont, vehicle control; and ATRA (10 mg/kg p.o. days 1–32). Mice were killed at 8 h after the last dose. A, in vitro ATRA 4-hydroxylation detected by HPLC. Mouse liver microsomes were incubated with 2.5, 5, and 10 μM ATRA for 30 min. Data are expressed as means ± S.D., n = 2. **, P < 0.01 compared with control. B, mRNA levels of Cyp3a11, Cyp26a1, and Cyp26b1 genes were analyzed by qPCR. Data represent -fold activation relative to vehicle control, means ± S.D., n = 3. **, P < 0.01. (C) Expression of mouse Cyp3a protein detected by Western blot. Gapdh protein served as a loading control.

Clinical PXR Ligands Decrease Serum Concentrations of ATRA

To verify the clinical implications of PXR ligand-induced ATRA metabolism, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies were performed and samples analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Following a single oral dose of ATRA (10 mg/kg), the plasma level measurable by LC-MS/MS (>0.05 μM) was observed 15 min after drug ingestion. The Cmax of ATRA was generally reached within 1 to 3 h, and high levels of ATRA were sustained during a plateau period lasting up to 3 h; thereafter, the plasma content of ATRA decreased rapidly, and it was below the limit of detection by 7 h. The Cmax of ATRA decreased slightly but not significantly in PXR ligand-treated mPXR mice (20% for PCN) and hPXR mice, 36% for RIF and 27% for DEX relative to vehicle-treated controls. Moreover, pretreatment with PXR ligands reduced AUC0-∞ significantly in both mPXR mice (48% for PCN, P < 0.01; and 33% for DEX, P = 0.04) and hPXR mice (33% for RIF, P = 0.04; and 44% for DEX, P = 0.03) compared with controls. However, all of these PXR ligands produced no significant change in the pharmacokinetics of ATRA in Pxr-null mice. Detailed pharmacokinetic parameters are shown in Table 1 and Fig. 5.

TABLE 1. Pharmacokinetic parameters of ATRA after oral administration of 10 mg/kg to mice previously administered with PXR ligands.

mPXR, Pxr-null, and hPXR mice were pretreated with or without PXR ligands. Cont, vehicle control; PCN (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–3), RIF (10 mg/kg p.o. days 1–3); DEX (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–5). Blood samples were collected at 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, and 420 min after ATRA administration. In vivo serum levels of ATRA were detected by LC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from the serum concentration-time data by a noncompartmental approach using WinNonlin software. Data were expressed as means ± S.D., n = 3 at each time point.

Mouse Line Cmax AUC0-∞
μmol/l μmol · min/l
mPXR
 Cont 10 ± 1.8 2490 ± 15
 PCN  8 ± 0.6 1290 ± 82**
 DEX 11 ± 1.2 1670 ± 22*
Pxr-null
 Cont 10 ± 1.8 1820 ± 63
 PCN 12 ± 0.9 1700 ± 10
 DEX 12 ± 0.3 1940 ± 12
hPXR
 Cont 11 ± 2.1 1970 ± 15
 RIF  7 ± 1.1 1320 ± 14*
 DEX  8 ± 2.6 1110 ± 13*
Open in a new tab
*

P < 0.05 compared with control.

**

P < 0.01 compared with control.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 5

Open in a new tab

Concentration-time curve of serum ATRA. mPXR, Pxr-null, and hPXR mice were pretreated with or without PXR ligands: Cont, vehicle control; PCN (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–3); RIF (10 mg/kg p.o. days 1–3); and DEX (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–5). Mice were administered 10 mg/kg ATRA orally by gavage 24 h after the last dose of ligands. Blood samples were collected at 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, and 420 min after the administration. Serum was prepared and extracted as described under Materials and Methods. In vivo serum levels of ATRA were detected by LC-MS/MS. The analysis was accomplished by multiple reactions monitoring with the transitions m/z 299.1/246.4 for ATRA (retention time, 3.16 min) and 397.1/347.0 for CD437 (retention time, 1.36 min). Data are expressed as means ± S.D., n = 3 at each time point.

PXR Ligands Induce PXR Target Drug Transporter Genes

To determine the mechanisms of PXR ligand-induced ATRA metabolism, the expression of mRNAs encoding P450s, transporters and nuclear receptors was analyzed by qPCR after inducer treatment. In addition to Cyp3a, an induction of mRNAs encoding PXR target drug transporters was observed in both PCN-treated and DEX-treated mPXR mice compared with controls, including multidrug resistance (Mdr)1a (2.6-fold for PCN, P < 0.01; and 2.3-fold for DEX, P = 0.02), multidrug resistance protein (Mrp)3 (2.4-fold for PCN, P = 0.03; and 1.6-fold for DEX, P = 0.02), and organic anion transporting polypeptide (Oatp)2 (2.1-fold for PCN; P = 0.02). Expression of the mouse Pxr mRNA was also induced (1.4-fold for PCN, P = 0.03; and 2.3-fold for DEX, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, Mdr1a (1.8-fold for DEX; P = 0.04), Mrp3 (2.7-fold for RIF; P = 0.02), and Oatp2 (2.5-fold for RIF, P = 0.04; and 2.4-fold for DEX, P = 0.03) were induced in RIF-treated and DEX-treated hPXR mice compared with controls. Messenger RNA encoding the human PXR was also induced (2.7-fold for RIF, P = 0.02; and 9.3-fold for DEX, P < 0.01). Conversely, there was no significant induction of any of these mRNAs in Pxr-null mice (Fig. 6). To obtain a more global view of ligand effects, other hepatic genes involved in drug metabolism and elimination were also investigated. No significant difference was detected in the mRNAs encoding Cyp1a1, Cyp1a2, Cyp1b1, Cyp2c29, Cyp2c37, Cyp2e1, Cyp4a10, Cyp4a14, Mdr1b, Mrp2, and two cellular retinoic acid-binding protein genes, Crabp1 and Crabp2, in mice treated with these ligands (data not shown).

Fig. 6.

Fig. 6

Open in a new tab

Effects of PXR ligands on drug transporter and nuclear receptor genes in livers of mPXR, Pxr-null, and hPXR mice. Mice were treated with or without PXR ligands: Cont, vehicle control; PCN (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–3); RIF (10 mg/kg p.o. days 1–3); and DEX (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–5). mRNA levels were determined by qPCR. Data represent -fold activation relative to vehicle control, means ± S.D., n = 3. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01.

Dual Effects of DEX on Both PXR-CYP3A and RAR-CYP26 Pathways

To estimate whether the RAR-CYP26 pathway is involved in PXR ligand-induced ATRA metabolism, expression of mRNAs encoding Rar, Rxr, and Cyp26 were also assessed; no difference were found except in DEX-treated mice (Figs. 3 and 7). As expected, DEX induced mRNA encoding Cyp3a11 in mPXR mice (3.5-fold; P < 0.001) and hPXR mice (1.9-fold; P = 0.03). In addition, DEX also induced mRNAs encoding Rar (2.2-fold for Rar *, P = 0.02; and 2.7-fold for Rar γ, P = 0.02), Rxr (1.5-fold for Rxr α, P < 0.01; and 1.6-fold for Rxr γ, P = 0.01), and Cyp26 (3.0-fold for Cyp26a1, P < 0.01; and 2.0-fold for Cyp26b1, P = 0.01) subfamilies in mPXR mice, and Rar (1.5-fold for Rar α, P = 0.01; and 1.4-fold for Rar γ, P < 0.01), Rxr (2.0-fold for Rxr α, P = 0.04), and Cyp26 (2.6-fold for Cyp26a1, P = 0.03; and 1.7-fold for Cyp26b1, P = 0.02) subfamilies in hPXR mice. No induction of these mRNAs were observed in Pxr-null mice (Figs. 3 and 7).

Fig. 7.

Fig. 7

Open in a new tab

Effects of DEX on Rar and Rxr subfamilies in livers of mPXR, Pxr-null, and hPXR mice. Mice were treated with or without DEX: Cont, vehicle control; and DEX (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–5). Effects of PCN (10 mg/kg i.p. days 1–3) and RIF (10 mg/kg p.o. days 1–3) were also investigated. mRNA levels were determined by qPCR. Data represent -fold activation relative to vehicle control, means ± S.D., n = 3. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01.

Discussion

Efficient detoxication of harmful xenobiotics is essential to the survival of living organisms, which is also the essence of drug resistance as a self-protective response to some extent. PXR plays a crucial role in this regard, by regulating several superfamilies of genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and elimination. Upon ligand binding, PXR forms a heterodimer with the RXR and then transactivates target genes, including oxidation enzymes, in particular, P450s and conjugation enzymes, together with transporters such as Pgp, MRPs, and OATPs (Bertilsson et al., 1998; Synold et al., 2001; Guo et al., 2002; Cheng and Klaassen, 2006). The most well known and important PXR target gene is CYP3A subfamily. A variety of PXR ligands activate the transcriptions of CYP3A genes, and, as the most abundant P450s in human liver and intestine, CYP3A enzymes are involved in the metabolism of approximately two thirds of clinically used drugs (Lewis et al., 1998), including ATRA. With this background, the present study was designed to clarify whether the PXR-CYP3A pathway participates concomitant drug-induced ATRA metabolism.

Since the peak plasma levels of ATRA detected in was around 10 μM, a little lower than reported previously, and the levels within many tissues, including the liver, may exceed this concentration (Kalin et al., 1981), the substrate concentrations for in vitro ATRA 4-hydroxylation analysis were set as 2.5, 5, and 10 μM to more accurately approximate in vivo metabolism in vitro. This study revealed that PXR ligands (PCN for mPXR mice and RIF for hPXR mice) induced both expression of Cyp3a and its associated ATRA 4-hydroxylation activity. Conversely, PXR ligands had no effect on Pxr-null mice, either on expression or on activity level of Cyp3a. In addition, in vitro incubations with a panel of recombinant human P450s confirmed the previous report (Marill et al., 2000) that the CYP3A enzymes have the highest catalytic efficiency for ATRA 4-hydroxylation (data not shown). However, the efficiency of these human P450s compared with CYP26 was not examined because there are no commercially available sources of this P450. qPCR mRNA analysis confirmed no significant change in expression of the Cyp26 family and other P450s possibly involved in ATRA 4-hydroxylation in PXR ligand-treated mPXR and hPXR mice, except for DEX-treated mice (discussed below). Also, a previous study demonstrated that pretreatment of Caco-2-T7 cells with RIF increased the metabolism of ATRA to 4-OH-RA and CYP3A expression, whereas it had no effect on CYP26 expression (Lampen et al., 2000). In this study, a chronic ATRA administration model was used to investigate the role of CYP26 in the auto-induced ATRA metabolism. As expected, ATRA treatment induced expression of mRNA encoding Cyp26 together with the up-regulation of in vitro ATRA 4-hydroxylation. However, unlike the induction of ATRA 4-hydroxylation mediated by PXR ligand-activated Cyp3a, the increase caused by ATRA-induced Cyp26 was only statistically significant with 2.5 and 5 μM substrate, not with 10 μM ATRA, suggesting P450s other than CYP26 play critical roles at high concentrations of ATRA. A possible explanation for this finding is that although CYP26 is a specific enzyme for ATRA oxidation, with pharmacologically reasonable Km of 1 μM (White et al., 1997), it is not expressed at significant levels in a number of tissues, including liver, without ATRA induction, whereas CYP3A represents up to 30 to 60% of total P450 in human liver (Shimada et al., 1994), with a Km value (2.6 μM) (McSorley and Daly, 2000), comparable with that of CYP26. This huge difference in abundance means that CYP3A makes an essential contribution to ATRA metabolism in vivo, particularly in PXR ligand-induced ATRA oxidation.

The present pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that several clinically used PXR ligands induced a hypercatabolic response that reduced serum ATRA concentration and AUC values by up to 30 to 50% compared with vehicle controls. Induction of accelerated catabolism by CYP3A could account for this phenomenon. Few reports have addressed the influences of other drugs on ATRA pharmacokinetics, and this is the first study to evaluate the effects of PXR ligands on ATRA pharmacokinetics. This issue is of potential interest since RIF is a regular prescription drug for tuberculous patients and DEX is also a first-line medicine for treatment of the ATRA syndrome. RIF is a well known PXR ligand that induces CYP3A enzymes. It was reported to increase the metabolism of many drugs in vivo and to increase ATRA metabolism in vitro (Lampen et al., 2000). In patients who experienced the ATRA syndrome and received DEX treatment, a trend was noted for a higher risk of relapse and lower complete remission rate compared with patients who had no ATRA syndrome (De Botton et al., 1998). Although other prognostic factors definitely contributed to this phenomenon, the present finding that DEX decreased serum levels of ATRA indicated that the worse prognosis may be due, at least in part, to DEX-induced ATRA metabolism. A similar drug-drug interaction was also seen in acute lymphocytic leukemia children where etoposide clearance was significantly higher in patients who had recently received a glucocorticoid (prednisone) (Kishi et al., 2004). Considering that etoposide is a substrate of CYP3A and prednisone can induce CYP3A in vitro, this finding supported the view that glucocorticoids can increase the metabolism of CYP3A substrates in vivo. A variety of xenobiotics have been demonstrated as PXR activators, including PCN, DEX, RIF, the human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor ritonavir, the anticancer drugs paclitaxel and tamoxifen, the antidiabetic agent troglitazone, the cholesterol-lowering drug SR12813, the sedative glutethimide, and the herbal remedy St. John's wort (Kliewer et al., 2002). Since cancer patients always take multiple drug therapies, PXR activation becomes an important consideration. Furthermore, potential PXR ligands in the nonprescription drugs, herbal or alternative medicines, and foods may also have clinical impact. When these ligands are administered concurrently with ATRA or other CYP3A-metabolized anticancer drugs, activation of PXR may decrease their bioavailability to therapeutically inefficient plasma concentrations. Strategies toward these drug combinations can be managed with appropriate dosage adjustments or with substitutions by other members of the drug class with less potential for PXR activation. One notable example of the latter is the replacement of paclitaxel, a classical PXR ligand, with docetaxel (Synold et al., 2001).

Regulation of CYP3A expression by DEX is demonstrated to occur through two distinct mechanisms (Fig. 8), first by activating PXR under physiological conditions (submicromolar) through the classical glucocorticoid receptor (GR) pathway; and second by directly activating PXR under pharmacological or stress conditions (micromolar or supramicromolar) (Pascussi et al., 2001). Interestingly, in the present study, in addition to activation of the PXR-CYP3A pathway, DEX also induced mRNAs encoding Rar, Rxr, and Cyp26, which was not observed with other ligands tested. As reported previously, submicromolar concentrations of DEX increased both RXR and PXR mRNA expression in human hepatocytes through GR-mediated activation (Pascussi et al., 2000), and CYP26 expression was dependent on RAR and RXR receptors (Sonneveld et al., 1998; Idres et al., 2005). However, the in vivo concentrations of DEX in the current study should be higher than micromolar, and the induction was not observed in Pxr-null mice. Promoter analysis for consensus nuclear receptor binding sites was performed using NUBIScan nuclear receptor binding database (http://www.nubiscan.unibas. ch/) to determine the possible existence of PXR response elements (DR3, DR4, ER6, and ER8) in the promoter regions of the Cyp26a1, Cyp26b1, Rar γ, Rxr α, and Rxr γ genes. Further studies are required to whether these sited are functionally relevant.

Fig. 8.

Fig. 8

Open in a new tab

Mechanistic representation of the role of the PXR-CYP3A pathway in ATRA metabolism induced by the potential PXR ligands in combined therapy and supportive care.

Besides the major contribution of PXR-activated CYP3A, the current data also highlight the potential roles of several PXR target transporters (Mdr1a, Mrp3, and Oatp2) in ATRA resistance induced by PXR ligands. Although APL cells at diagnosis do not express or express low levels of Pgp, it was reported that during the procedure of multiple relapse, levels of Pgp progressively increased (Candoni et al., 2003; Damiani et al., 2004). Moreover, the Pgp antagonist verapamil (Kizaki et al., 1996) and MDR1 ribozymes (Matsushita et al., 1998) could restore the sensitivity to ATRA in vitro. Overexpressing the full-length MRP1 cDNA in neuroblastoma cell line conferred ATRA resistance (Peaston et al., 2001). Meanwhile, among MRP family members, MRP3 has the highest degree of structural resemblance to MRP1. PXR-dependent up-regulation of Oatp2 and Cyp3a11 was found to represent an important constitutive response in the hepatic detoxication (Staudinger et al., 2001). Taken together, these data suggest that ATRA might be a substrate for these transporters and that their induction may be responsible in part for ATRA resistance.

In this study, the effects of various PXR ligands on ATRA metabolism and the possible mechanisms were examined using a combination of in vitro and in vivo studies. Overall, our data suggest that acquired resistance to ATRA might be explained in part by the concomitant administration of PXR ligands through activation of the PXR-CYP3A pathway, accelerating the catabolism of ATRA by induced CYP3A. Moreover, other induced PXR target transporter genes might also be involved. Because a variety of compounds, including prescription or nonprescription drugs, herbal or alternative medicines, and even components in foods, have been demonstrated as PXR ligands, this mechanism may have serious clinical impact. An improved understanding of the mechanisms of ATRA resistance holds considerable promise for both the prevention and attenuation of this resistance.

Acknowledgments

We thank John Buckley for technical help.

This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute Intramural Research Program. J.R.I. is grateful to U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company for a grant for collaborative research.

ABBREVIATIONS

ATRA

all-trans-retinoic acid

APL

acute promyelocytic leukemia

RAR

retinoic acid receptor

RXR

retinoid X receptor

Pgp

P-glycoprotein

P450

cytochrome P450

RA

retinoic acid

PXR

pregnane X receptor

mPXR

wild-type mice

hPXR

PXR-humanized transgenic mice

PCN

pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile

RIF

rifampicin

DEX

dexamethasone

qPCR

quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction

HPLC

high-performance liquid chromatography

LC-MS/MS

liquid chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry

AUC

area under the serum concentration-time curve

MDR

multidrug resistance

MRP

multidrug resistance protein

OATP

organic anion transporting polypeptide

GR

glucocorticoid receptor

Gapdh

glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Cont

vehicle control

References

  1. Bernstein ZP, Chanan-Khan A, Miller KC, Northfelt DW, Lopez-Berestein G, Gill PS. A multicenter phase II study of the intravenous administration of liposomal tretinoin in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. Cancer. 2002;95:2555–2561. doi: 10.1002/cncr.11009. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bertilsson G, Heidrich J, Svensson K, Asman M, Jendeberg L, Sydow-Backman M, Ohlsson R, Postlind H, Blomquist P, Berkenstam A. Identification of a human nuclear receptor defines a new signaling pathway for CYP3A induction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95:12208–12213. doi: 10.1073/pnas.95.21.12208. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Candoni A, Damiani D, Michelutti A, Masolini P, Michieli M, Michelutti T, Geromin A, Fanin R. Clinical characteristics, prognostic factors and multidrug-resistance related protein expression in 36 adult patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Eur J Haematol. 2003;71:1–8. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0609.2003.00084.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Cheng X, Klaassen CD. Regulation of mRNA expression of xenobiotic transporters by the pregnane x receptor in mouse liver, kidney, and intestine. Drug Metab Dispos. 2006;34:1863–1867. doi: 10.1124/dmd.106.010520. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Damiani D, Michieli M, Michelutti A, Candoni A, Stocchi R, Masolini P, Geromin A, Michelutti T, Raspadori D, Ippoliti M, et al. Antibody binding capacity for evaluation of MDR-related proteins in acute promyelocytic leukemia: onset versus relapse expression. Cytometry B Clin Cytom. 2004;59:40–45. doi: 10.1002/cyto.b.20006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. De Botton S, Dombret H, Sanz M, Miguel JS, Caillot D, Zittoun R, Gardembas M, Stamatoulas A, Conde E, Guerci A, et al. Incidence, clinical features, and outcome of all trans-retinoic acid syndrome in 413 cases of newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia. The European APL Group. Blood. 1998;92:2712–2718. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Defer GL, Adle-Biassette H, Ricolfi F, Martin L, Authier FJ, Chomienne C, Degos L, Degos JD. All-trans retinoic acid in relapsing malignant gliomas: clinical and radiological stabilization associated with the appearance of intratumoral calcifications. J Neurooncol. 1997;34:169–177. doi: 10.1023/a:1005701507111. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Gallagher RE. Retinoic acid resistance in acute promyelocytic leukemia. Leukemia. 2002;16:1940–1958. doi: 10.1038/sj.leu.2402719. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Guo GL, Staudinger J, Ogura K, Klaassen CD. Induction of rat organic anion transporting polypeptide 2 by pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile is via interaction with pregnane X receptor. Mol Pharmacol. 2002;61:832–839. doi: 10.1124/mol.61.4.832. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Idres N, Marill J, Chabot GG. Regulation of CYP26A1 expression by selective RAR and RXR agonists in human NB4 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Biochem Pharmacol. 2005;69:1595–1601. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2005.02.024. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Kalin JR, Starling ME, Hill DL. Disposition of all-trans- retinoic acid in mice following oral doses. Drug Metab Dispos. 1981;9:196–201. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Kishi S, Yang W, Boureau B, Morand S, Das S, Chen P, Cook EH, Rosner GL, Schuetz E, Pui CH, et al. Effects of prednisone and genetic polymorphisms on etoposide disposition in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood. 2004;103:67–72. doi: 10.1182/blood-2003-06-2105. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Kizaki M, Ueno H, Yamazoe Y, Shimada M, Takayama N, Muto A, Matsushita H, Nakajima H, Morikawa M, Koeffler HP, et al. Mechanisms of retinoid resistance in leukemic cells: possible role of cytochrome P450 and P-glycoprotein. Blood. 1996;87:725–733. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Kliewer SA, Goodwin B, Willson TM. The nuclear pregnane X receptor: a key regulator of xenobiotic metabolism. Endocr Rev. 2002;23:687–702. doi: 10.1210/er.2001-0038. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Lampen A, Meyer S, Arnhold T, Nau H. Metabolism of vitamin A and its active metabolite all-trans-retinoic acid in small intestinal enterocytes. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2000;295:979–985. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Lewis DF, Watson E, Lake BG. Evolution of the cytochrome P450 super-family: sequence alignments and pharmacogenetics. Mutat Res. 1998;410:245–270. doi: 10.1016/s1383-5742(97)00040-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Ma X, Shah Y, Cheung C, Guo GL, Feigenbaum L, Krausz KW, Idle JR, Gonzalez FJ. The PXR-humanized mouse: a model for investigating drug-drug interactions mediated by cytochromes P450 3A. Drug Metab Dispos. 2007;35:194–200. doi: 10.1124/dmd.106.012831. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Marill J, Cresteil T, Lanotte M, Chabot GG. Identification of human cytochrome P450s involved in the formation of all-trans-retinoic acid principal metabolites. Mol Pharmacol. 2000;58:1341–1348. doi: 10.1124/mol.58.6.1341. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Matsushita H, Kizaki M, Kobayashi H, Ueno H, Muto A, Takayama N, Awaya N, Kinjo K, Hattori Y, Ikeda Y. Restoration of retinoid sensitivity by MDR1 ribozymes in retinoic acid-resistant myeloid leukemic cells. Blood. 1998;91:2452–2458. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. McSorley LC, Daly AK. Identification of human cytochrome P450 isoforms that contribute to all-trans-retinoic acid 4-hydroxylation. Biochem Pharmacol. 2000;60:517–526. doi: 10.1016/s0006-2952(00)00356-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Muindi J, Frankel SR, Miller WH, Jr, Jakubowski A, Scheinberg DA, Young CW, Dmitrovsky E, Warrell RP., Jr Continuous treatment with all-trans retinoic acid causes a progressive reduction in plasma drug concentrations: implications for relapse and retinoid “resistance” in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Blood. 1992a;79:299–303. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Muindi JR, Frankel SR, Huselton C, DeGrazia F, Garland WA, Young CW, Warrell RP., Jr Clinical pharmacology of oral all-trans retinoic acid in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Cancer Res. 1992b;52:2138–2142. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Napoli JL. Retinoic acid: its biosynthesis and metabolism. Prog Nucleic Acid Res Mol Biol. 1999;63:139–188. doi: 10.1016/s0079-6603(08)60722-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Pascussi JM, Drocourt L, Fabre JM, Maurel P, Vilarem MJ. Dexamethasone induces pregnane X receptor and retinoid X receptor-alpha expression in human hepatocytes: synergistic increase of CYP3A4 induction by pregnane X receptor activators. Mol Pharmacol. 2000;58:361–372. doi: 10.1124/mol.58.2.361. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Pascussi JM, Drocourt L, Gerbal-Chaloin S, Fabre JM, Maurel P, Vilarem MJ. Dual effect of dexamethasone on CYP3A4 gene expression in human hepatocytes. Sequential role of glucocorticoid receptor and pregnane X receptor. Eur J Biochem. 2001;268:6346–6358. doi: 10.1046/j.0014-2956.2001.02540.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Peaston AE, Gardaneh M, Franco AV, Hocker JE, Murphy KM, Farnsworth ML, Catchpoole DR, Haber M, Norris MD, Lock RB, et al. MRP1 gene expression level regulates the death and differentiation response of neuroblastoma cells. Br J Cancer. 2001;85:1564–1571. doi: 10.1054/bjoc.2001.2144. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Peng YM, Xu MJ, Alberts DS. Analysis and stability of retinol in plasma. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1987;78:95–99. doi: 10.1093/jnci/78.1.95. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Ray WJ, Bain G, Yao M, Gottlieb DI. CYP26, a novel mammalian cytochrome P450, is induced by retinoic acid and defines a new family. J Biol Chem. 1997;272:18702–18708. doi: 10.1074/jbc.272.30.18702. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Samokyszyn VM, Gall WE, Zawada G, Freyaldenhoven MA, Chen G, Mackenzie PI, Tephly TR, Radominska-Pandya A. 4-hydroxyretinoic acid, a novel substrate for human liver microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase(s) and recombinant UGT2B7. J Biol Chem. 2000;275:6908–6914. doi: 10.1074/jbc.275.10.6908. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Shimada T, Yamazaki H, Mimura M, Inui Y, Guengerich FP. Interindividual variations in human liver cytochrome P-450 enzymes involved in the oxidation of drugs, carcinogens and toxic chemicals: studies with liver microsomes of 30 Japanese and 30 Caucasians. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1994;270:414–423. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Sonneveld E, van den Brink CE, van der Leede BM, Schulkes RK, Petkovich M, van der Burg B, van der Saag PT. Human retinoic acid (RA) 4-hydroxylase (CYP26) is highly specific for all-trans-RA and can be induced through RA receptors in human breast and colon carcinoma cells. Cell Growth Differ. 1998;9:629–637. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Staudinger JL, Goodwin B, Jones SA, Hawkins-Brown D, MacKenzie KI, LaTour A, Liu Y, Klaassen CD, Brown KK, Reinhard J, et al. The nuclear receptor PXR is a lithocholic acid sensor that protects against liver toxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001;98:3369–3374. doi: 10.1073/pnas.051551698. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Synold TW, Dussault I, Forman BM. The orphan nuclear receptor SXR coordinately regulates drug metabolism and efflux. Nat Med. 2001;7:584–590. doi: 10.1038/87912. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Toma S, Raffo P, Nicolo G, Canavese G, Margallo E, Vecchio C, Dastoli G, Iacona I, Regazzi-Bonora M. Biological activity of all-trans-retinoic acid with and without tamoxifen and alpha-interferon 2a in breast cancer patients. Int J Oncol. 2000;17:991–1000. doi: 10.3892/ijo.17.5.991. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. White JA, Beckett-Jones B, Guo YD, Dilworth FJ, Bonasoro J, Jones G, Petkovich M. cDNA cloning of human retinoic acid-metabolizing enzyme (hP450RAI) identifies a novel family of cytochromes P450. J Biol Chem. 1997;272:18538–18541. doi: 10.1074/jbc.272.30.18538. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

RESOURCES