Bilirubin protects astrocytes from its own toxicity by inducing up-regulation and translocation of multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (Mrp1).

ABSTRACT: Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) causes encephalopathy in severely jaundiced neonates by damaging astrocytes and neurons. Astrocytes, which help defend the brain against cytotoxic insults, express the ATP-dependent transporter, multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (Mrp1), which mediates export of organic anions, probably including UCB. We therefore studied whether exposure to UCB affects the expression and intracellular localization of Mrp1 in cultured mouse astroglial cells (>95% astrocytes). Mrp1 was localized and quantitated by confocal laser scanning microscopy and double immunofluorescence labeling by using specific antibodies against Mrp1 and the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein, plus the Golgi marker wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). In unexposed astrocytes, Mrp1 colocal

SUBMITTER: Gennuso F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC356974 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature