Saquinavir induces stable and functional expression of the multidrug transporter P‐glycoprotein in human CD4 T‐lymphoblastoid CEM^rev cells

Abstract

Treatment of human CD4 T-lymphoblastoid CEMrev cells with saquinavir caused over-expression of functioning P-gp molecules. This de novo acquired MDR phenotype, which differed from that induced by other PIs, was stable, as expression and activity of P-gp were observed in CEMsaq10 and CEMsaq15 cells during prolonged in vitro culturing, even in drug-free conditions.