Expression and induction of CYP2C P450 enzymes in primary cultures of human hepatocytes.

Although CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 play an important role in drug biotransformation, factors influencing the expression and activity of these CYP2C P450s in human liver remain largely undefined. We used primary cultures of human hepatocytes from 15 subjects to assess the inducibility of CYP2C enzyme expression by prototypical inducer agents, including rifampicin, dexamethasone, and phenobarbital. After culture for 72 h in serum-free medium on collagen, Western blotting revealed that CYP2C9 was the only CYP2C enzyme expressed at appreciable levels in untreated hepatocytes. Subsequent treatment with 25 microMrifampicin for 48 h elicited marked increases in CYP2C8 (700 +/- 761%), CYP2C19 (854%), and CYP2C9 (209 +/- 176%) protein content versus a 550 +/- 170% enhancement of CYP3A4 enzyme levels. Parallel increases in CYP2C mRNAs, measured by Northern blotting and/or RNase protection, were found in rifampicin-treated hepatocytes, with CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 transcripts exhibiting increases of 688 +/- 635, 207 +/- 49, and 230 +/- 60%, respectively, versus an 8.8-fold enhancement of CYP3A4 mRNA levels. Dexamethasone (10 microM) treatment enhanced CYP2C8 mRNA (360 +/- 100%) and protein (274%) content, although this steroid had less effect on CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 transcripts (23 +/- 21% and 21 +/- 36%, respectively) and enzyme levels (55 and 143%, respectively). Phenobarbital (100 microM) was a powerful inducer of CYP2C9 (850%) and CYP2C19 (735%) mRNA content, and also increased CYP2C8 (610%) and CYP3A4 (205%) transcripts. Our results show that CYP2C enzyme expression in human hepatocytes is highly inducible by rifampicin, dexamethasone, and phenobarbital. Because these xenobiotics are ligands and/or activators of the pregnane X receptor and/or constitutive androstane receptor, such orphan nuclear receptors and their response elements may partake in regulating CYP2C gene expression in humans.