Atorvastatin attenuation of ABCB1 expression is mediated by microRNA miR-491-3p in Caco-2 cells

Aim Atorvastatin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, has been previously shown to regulate ABCB1 expression in vivo and in vitro. We hypothesized that the statin could regulate gene expression of ABCB1 transporter via microRNAs. Methods Expression of microRNAs and ABCB1 mRNA was examined in atorvastatin-treated and control cells using real-time PCR. miR-491-3P mimic and inhibitor were transfected in Caco-2 and ABCB1 expression was monitored by western blot and real-time PCR. Results In HepG2 cells, none of the microRNAs predicted to target ABCB1 3′UTR was regulated by atorvastatin treatment. In agreement with this, ABCB1 3′UTR activity was not modulated in HepG-2 cells after 48 h-treatment as measured by luciferase assay. In Caco-2 cells, atorvastatin treatment provoked a decrease in luciferase activity and, accordingly, miR-491-3p was upregulated about 2.7 times after 48 h-statin treatment. Luciferase analysis of miR-491-3p with a mimetic or inhibitor of miR-491-3p revealed that this microRNA could target ABCB1 3′UTR, as after miR-491-3p inhibition, ABCB1 levels were increased by two-fold, and miR-491-3p superexpression decreased ABCB1 3′UTR activity. Finally, functional analysis revealed that treatment with miR-491-3p inhibitor could reverses atorvastatin attenuation of ABCB1 (Pg-p) protein levels. Conclusion Our results suggest atorvastatin control ABCB1 expression via miR-491-3p in Caco-2 cells. This finding may be an important mechanism of statin drug–drug interaction, since common concomitant drugs used in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases are ABCB1 substrates.