The development and characterization of Vinca alkaloid-resistant Caco-2 human colorectal cell lines expressing mdr-1

Several novel cell lines with variable resistance to Vinca alkaloids have been derived from the Caco-2 human colorectal carcinoma cell line. Parental Caco-2 cells were found by PCR analysis and immunofluorescence studies to produce a low amount of the mdr-1 gene product (P-glycoprotein) that may well be clinically significant. These cells, which were initially highly sensitive to desacetylvinblastine sulfate (DAVLB sulfate) were selected, without mutagenesis, through continuous culture with increasing concentrations of DAVLB sulfate over a 335-day period. This selection resulted in cell lines that displayed an mdr (multiple-drug-resistance) cross-resistance profile that could be reversed with agents such as verapamil and vindoline. During the selection process the amount of mdr-1 mRNA present, the extent of gene amplification and the amount of gp170 expressed all correlated well with the level of drug resistance. However, this correlation does not hold in the absence of selective pressure for the more resistant cell lines where gene amplification and the amount of P-glycoprotein present remained constant while the level of drug resistance and the amount of mdr-1 mRNA present declined. These cell lines are potential models for studying mdr-I gene expression and drug resistance in human epithelial malignancies.