PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - SUNG SU KIM
AU  - SIN SEONG
AU  - SEONG HYEON LIM
AU  - SUNG YOUNG KIM
TI  - Targeting Biliverdin Reductase Overcomes Multidrug Resistance in Leukemia HL60 Cells
DP  - 2013 Nov 01
TA  - Anticancer Research
PG  - 4913--4919
VI  - 33
IP  - 11
4099  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/33/11/4913.short
4100  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/33/11/4913.full
SO  - Anticancer Res2013 Nov 01; 33
AB  - Background/Aim: Altered redox status has been reported to play a significant role in the development of multidrug resistance (MDR) in leukemia cells. Human biliverdin reductase (hBVR) has been recently identified as a major cytoprotectant; however, its role in MDR has not been yet investigated. In the present study we evaluated the possible role of hBVR in MDR development in the human HL60 leukemia cell line. Materials and Methods: The relationship between hBVR and MDR was examined using the drug-sensitive HL60 cells and the drug-resistant HL60 subline, HL60/ADR. A possible chemosensitization by siRNA pre-treatment was also investigated. Results: We observed that hBVR expression, protein, and enzymatic activity were significantly increased in multidrug-resistant HL60 leukemia cells. We also found that knockdown of hBVR reverses multidrug resistance in resistant leukemic HL60 cells by a ROS-dependent mechanism. Conclusion: hBVR plays a pivotal role in the development of multidrug resistance in human HL60 leukemia cells.