Role of multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 in airway epithelium

Abstract

In this thesis we investigated whether multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) levels in bronchi and parenchymal lung tissue are related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development. MRP1 is a protective protein against toxic substances and oxidative stress in which glutathione (GSH) plays a central role [1, 2]. MRP1 is highly expressed in lung airway epithelium and might be important with respect to protection against inhaled toxic substances. Development of COPD is highly related to smoking and is, amongst others, characterized by an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants [3]. Diminished MRP1 function may therefore predispose smokers to a higher susceptibility to COPD [4].