The relationship between multidrug resistance and tumor necrosis factor resistance in an EL4 cell line model

A number of recent studies have implied that a relationship exists between cellular sensitivities to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and expression of the classic multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. However, different conclusions have been reported concerning whether TNF sensitivity is positively or negatively correlated with MDR (Hong, W.-S.; Sijo, N.; Sasaki, Y.; Shinkai, T.; Eguchi, K.; Sakurai, M.; Takamashi, H.; Nakano, H.; Nakagawa, K.; Twentyman, P. R. Jpn. J. Can. Res. (Gann) 78:1274-1280; 1987 and Dollbaum, C.; Creasey, A. A.; Dairkee, S. H.; Hiller, A. J.; Rudolph, A. R.; Lin, L.; Vitt, C.; Smith, H. S. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:4740-4755; 1988). An apparent relationship of TNF sensitivity to P-glycoprotein (P-170gp) mediated MDR was investigated in EL4 murine T-lymphoma cell lines sensitive and resistant to Adriamycin (ADM). No consistent association was found between MDR and TNF responses when the lines were subcloned. Whereas the MDR phenotype of subclones (as assessed by ADM resistance and P-170gp expression) reflected that of the cell line from which they were derived, the TNF sensitivity of subclones varied widely. Also consistent with independence of P-170gp mediated MDR and TNF response, the P388/ADM cell line (exhibiting P-170gp mediated MDR) remained as resistant to TNF as the P388 parental line. In addition, no evidence was found of modified recognition of MDR EL4 cell lines by host defense effector cells, and gamma-interferon failed to enhance the susceptibility of either parental or MDR cell line to TNF. These results may be of value in considering therapeutic studies using the ADM/TNF combination treatment.