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Basic Science

Poster Session 2

(402) Chorion-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Cargo Transporter protein BCRP: Paracrine drug transportation at the feto-maternal interface

Tuesday, February 13, 2024
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM  
Location: Prince George's Exhibit Hall CDE, Lower Atrium Level
Objective: The transport of drugs across the placenta during pregnancy impacts maternal well-being and fetal development. Transporter proteins like Breast Cancer Resistance Protein-1 (BCRP-1) participate in drug efflux mechanisms and influence the pharmacokinetics of diverse substances. BCRP-1 can be propagated in extracellular vesicles (EVs) to transition BCRP-1 lacking cells to perform drug transport functions. This study explored the paracrine signaling abilities of chorion trophoblast cell (CTC)-derived EVs in restoring BCRP-1 expression loss. 

Study Design: BCRP-1 gene (qRT-PCR) and protein (western blot) expressions were determined in fetal membrane cells (amnion, chorion) and decidua. EVs from CTCs were isolated and the presence of BCRP-1 was confirmed in EVs (western blot). We employed the CRISPR/Cas9 approach to achieve BCRP-1 knockdown in maternal decidual cells. These cells were subsequently exposed to CTC-derived EVs containing BCRP-1, and the restoration of BCRP-1 expression was assessed by PCR and surface expression by flow cytometry. 

Results: Gene expression levels of ABCG2/BCRP-1 were significantly higher in CTCs compared to BeWo cells (+ve control)) (Fig 1A, ***p< 0.001). EVs derived from CTCs had higher BCRP-1gene (Fig 1B) compared to AEC and DEC.  BCRP-1 protein in EVs was similar to those derived from amnion and decidual cells (Fig 1C). Upon treatment with chorion-derived EVs, maternal decidual cells with BCRP-1 knockdown displayed effective restoration of BCRP-1 protein, as demonstrated by gene levels (Fig 1D) and surface protein expression levels (Fig 1E).

Conclusion: This study provides pioneering evidence that the delivery of BCRP-1 through EVs can trigger drug efflux activity in cells via paracrine signaling. The modulation of BCRP-1 by EVs underscores the intricate interplay between EVs and placental drug transport mechanisms, offering valuable insights into their potential involvement in modulating drug responses during pregnancy.