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Updated: May 13, 2026

A Co-culture Method to Investigate the Crosstalk Between X-ray Irradiated Caco-2 Cells and PBMC
Published on: January 30, 2018
Effect of X-ray irradiation on expression of organic anion transporting polypeptides
Kai Zhan1, Juan Yao, Jiujiu Huang
1College of Life Science, South China Agricultural University , Guangzhou, Guangdong Province.
Purpose:
Some members of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) family may play critical roles in determining the concentration of anticancer drugs in targeted organs/cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether radiation can alter the expression of OATP in cancer cells so that OATP can be used as a specific drug target for anti-tumor treatment in combination with radiotherapy.
Materials And Methods:
Two cancer cell lines (HepG2 and MCF7) were irradiated with three doses of X-ray and the expression levels of six OATP were assessed.
Results:
Expressions of several OATP were altered after irradiation. OATP1A2, an OATP that was found to transport anti-tumor drugs and was undetectable in untreated cells, showed dramatically elevated level of expression after irradiation in MCF7 cells. The combined treatment of X-rays and the OATP1A2 substrate methotrexate exerted a more significant effect on growth rate and cell death compared with radiation or methotrexate treatment alone. At certain time points, X-rays increased OATP1A2 level while suppressing the expression of efflux transporters.
Conclusions:
Radiation may simultaneously increase the expression of uptake transporters and decrease the level of efflux transporters, suggesting OATP may be considered a novel target for delivery of anti-neoplastic agents in combination with radiotherapy.
Insights
Radiation therapy can increase the expression of organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP) in cancer cells, enhancing targeted drug delivery for improved anti-tumor treatment when combined with chemotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP) influence drug concentrations in target tissues.
- OATP transporters are potential targets for optimizing anti-cancer drug efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if radiation alters OATP expression in cancer cells.
- To evaluate OATP as a potential drug target for combined radiotherapy and anti-tumor treatment.
Main Methods:
- Irradiation of HepG2 and MCF7 cancer cell lines with X-rays.
- Assessment of expression levels for six OATP transporters post-irradiation.
Main Results:
- Irradiation altered the expression of several OATP transporters.
- OATP1A2 expression significantly increased in MCF7 cells after irradiation.
- Combined radiation and OATP1A2 substrate (methotrexate) showed enhanced anti-tumor effects.
Conclusions:
- Radiation may upregulate OATP uptake transporters and downregulate efflux transporters.
- OATP transporters represent a novel target for anti-neoplastic agent delivery in conjunction with radiotherapy.
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