Influence of Slco2b1‐knockout and SLCO2B1‐humanization on coproporphyrin I and III levels in rats.

Background and Purpose: Coproporphyrin (CP) I and III are byproducts of haem synthesis currently investigated as biomarkers for drug–drug interactions involving hepatic organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B transporters. Another hepatically expressed OATP‐member is OATP2B1. The aim of this study was to test the impact of OATP2B1, which specifically transports CPIII, on CP serum levels, applying novel rat models. Experimental Approach: CPIII transport kinetics and the interplay between OATP2B1 and multidrug resistance‐associated proteins (MRPs) were determined in vitro using the vTF7 expression system. Novel rSlco2b1−/− and SLCO2B1+/+ rat models were characterized for physiological parameters and for CP serum levels. Hepatic and renal expression of transporters involved in CP disposition were determined by real‐time qPCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Key Results: In vitro experiments revealed differences in transport kinetics comparing human and rat OATP2B1 and showed a consistent, species‐specific interplay with hMRP3/rMRP3. Deletion of rOATP2B1 was associated with a trend towards lower CPI serum levels compared with wildtype rats, while CPIII remained unchanged. Comparing SLCO2B1+/+ with knockout rats revealed an effect of sex: only in females the genetic modification influenced CP serum levels. Analysis of hepatic and renal transporters revealed marginal, but in part, statistically significant differences in rMRP2 abundance, which may contribute to the observed changes in CP serum levels. Conclusion and Implications: Our findings support that factors other than OATP1B transporters are of relevance for basal CP levels. Only in female rats, humanization of SLCO2B1 affects basal CPI and CPIII serum levels, despite isomer selectivity of OATP2B1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of British Journal of Pharmacology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)