miR-23a-3p is involved in drug resistance by directly targeting the influx drug transporter organic anion-transporting polypeptide 2.

OBJECTIVE

Drug transporters are involved in the drug resistance of individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy by influencing the intracerebral transport of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The expression of drug transporters is associated with microRNAs. We previously revealed that miR-23a-3p levels were elevated in the blood of patients with intractable epilepsy. Additionally, the influx drug transporter organic anion-transporting polypeptide 2 (Oatp2) is involved in the intracerebral transport of valproic acid (VPA), the most commonly used AED; repeated seizures lead to decreased expression of Oatp2. However, the role of miR-23a-3p in the expression of Oatp2 and in the development of drug resistance has not been established. Herein, we aimed to determine the potential role of miR-23a-3p in VPA-resistant epilepsy through in vivo and in vitro experiments.

METHODS

Epilepsy was elicited after status epilepticus (SE) was induced by lithium-pilocarpine in adult Sprague-Dawley rats, followed by VPA treatment to select rats with VPA resistance. The expression of miR-23a-3p was detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A miR-23a-3p inhibitor was intracerebrally injected into VPA-resistant rats, and histological staining and Morris water maze tests were performed to evaluate brain damage and learning/memory functions in these rats. Subsequently, a dual-luciferase reporter assay and a VPA uptake assay were performed in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) to investigate the underlying mechanism of action of miR-23a-3p.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that compared to that in control rats, miR-23a-3p was elevated in VPA-resistant rats. Intracerebral injection of a miR-23a-3p inhibitor reduced brain damage and the associated deficits in learning and memory functions in rats with VPA resistance. Further investigation indicated that Oatp2 was the direct target of miR-23a-3p, and it was negatively regulated by miR-23a-3p in the brain and BMECs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-23a-3p reduced VPA uptake in BMECs by regulating Oatp2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-23a-3p is involved in VPA resistance in epilepsy by directly targeting the influx drug transporter Oatp2, indicating that miR-23a-3p could be a potential therapeutic target for intractable epilepsy.