Received for publication July 2, 2007.
Revised October 17, 2007.
Accepted for publication October 17, 2007.

HepaRG Cells as an In Vitro Model for Evaluation of Cytochrome P450 Induction in Humans

Abstract

HepaRG is a highly differentiated cell line, which displays several hepatocyte like functions including drug metabolising enzymes. In this study the HepaRG cells were characterised and evaluated as an in vitro model to predict cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme induction of drugs in humans. Exposure of HepaRG cells to prototypical inducers resulted in induction of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 mRNA as well as phenacetin O-dealkylase, bupropion hydroxylase, diclofenac 4'-hydroxylase, and midazolam 1'-hydroxylase activities. The observed induction is consistent with the previously reported expression of the nuclear receptors PXR, CAR and AhR, which are necessary for a CYP induction response. To avoid problems with toxicity and solubility, the induction potency of test compounds was evaluated by calculating the concentrations leading to a 2-fold increase of baseline mRNA or enzyme activity levels (F₂ values), instead of EC₅₀ values from full dose-response curves. For CYP3A4 mRNA, the obtained F₂ values were related to the in vivo exposure (AUC) of the inducer (AUC/F₂). This score was then correlated with the decrease in AUC for a CYP3A probe drug, administered before and after treatment with the inducing agent. By using this method an excellent correlation (R²=0.863) was obtained, which implies that the degree of CYP3A induction in vivo can be predicted from CYP3A4 mRNA induction in HepaRG cells. The present study shows that the HepaRG cells is a valuable model to be used for prediction of induction of drug metabolising CYP enzymes in vivo in humans.

Key words: Ah receptor, CAR, CYP induction, CYP1A, CYP2B, CYP2C, CYP3A, drug discovery, in vitro-in vivo prediction, PXR

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