Objective: To investigate the protective effects of mdr1 gene on hematopoietic cells against anticancer agents and to explore an effective approach to prevent myelosuppression due to chemotherapy.
Methods: mdr1 gene was transferred into murine bone marrow cells with plasmid pHaMDR1/A by the mediation of lipofection. Pgp, a product of mdr1 gene expression, and its function were detected by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and rhodamine test respectively. Also, the resistance of transferred murine bone marrow cells to anticancer agents was tested by colony-forming unit test after exposure to anticancer agents and by bone marrow transplantation murine model.
Results: mdr1 gene was successfully transferred and expressed in bone marrow cells. Transferred murine bone marrow cells were resistant to anticancer agents both in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusions: Transfection of mdr1 gene into hematopietic cells can protect bone marrow cells against the toxicities of anticancer agents.