Contribution of Abcc10 (Mrp7) to In Vivo Paclitaxel Resistance as Assessed in Abcc10−/− Mice

Recently we reported that the ATP-binding cassette transporter Abcc10, also known as multidrug resistance protein 7 (Mrp7), is able to confer resistance to a variety of anticancer agents including taxanes. However, the in vivo functions of the pump have not been determined to any extent. Here we generated and analyzed Abcc10−/− mice in order to investigate the ability of Abcc10 to function as an endogenous resistance factor. Mouse embryo fibroblasts derived from Abcc10 −/− mice were hypersensitive to docetaxel, paclitaxel, vincristine and Ara-C and exhibited increased cellular drug accumulation, relative to wild type controls. Abcc10 null mice treated with paclitaxel exhibited increased lethality associated with neutropenia and marked bone marrow toxicity. Toxicity in spleen and thymus was also evident. These findings indicate that Abcc10 is dispensable for health and viability, and that it is an endogenous resistance factor for taxanes, other natural product agents and nucleoside analogs. This is the first demonstration that an ATP-binding cassette transporter other than P-glycoprotein can affect in vivo tissue sensitivity towards taxanes.