From Primary MSC Culture of Adipose Tissue to Immortalized Cell Line Producing Cytokines for Potential Use in Regenerative Medicine Therapy or Immunotherapy.

For twenty-five years, attempts have been made to use MSCs in the treatment of various diseases due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. However, the results are not satisfactory. Assuming that MSCs can be replaced in some therapies by the active factors they produce, the immortalized MSCs line was established from human adipose tissue (HATMSC1) to produce conditioned media and test its regenerative potential in vitro in terms of possible clinical application. The production of biologically active factors by primary MSCs was lower compared to the HATMSC1 cell line and several factors were produced only by the cell line. It has been shown that an HATMSC1-conditioned medium increases the proliferation of various cell types, augments the adhesion of cells and improves endothelial cell function. It was found that hypoxia during culture resulted in an augmentation in the pro-angiogenic factors production, such as VEGF, IL-8, Angiogenin and MCP-1. The immunomodulatory factors caused an increase in the production of GM-CSF, IL-5, IL-6, MCP-1, RANTES and IL-8. These data suggest that these factors, produced under different culture conditions, could be used for different medical conditions, such as in regenerative medicine, when an increased concentration of pro-angiogenic factors may be beneficial, or in inflammatory diseases with conditioned media with a high concentration of immunomodulatory factors.

Activity of the human immortalized endothelial progenitor cell line HEPC-CB.1 supporting in vitro angiogenesis.

The human HEPC-CB.1 cell line with many characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) was tested for its proangiogenic properties as a potentially therapeutic compound. HEPC-CB.1 cells' potential to differentiate into endothelial cells was revealed after treating the cells with a mixture of ATRA, cAMP and VEGF, as shown by the reduced expression levels of CD133, CD271 and CD90 antigens, augmentation of CD146 and CD31, and a decrease in cell clonogenicity. The cooperation of HEPC-CB.1 with the endothelial cell line HSkMEC.2 resulted in the formation of a common network. Tube formation was significantly more effective when resulting from HEPC-CB.1 and HSkMEC.2 cell co-culture as compared to a monoculture of each cell line. The exocrine mechanism of HEPC-CB.1 and HSkMEC.2 cross talk by secreted factors was evidenced using the HEPC-CB.1 supernatant to increase the efficacy of HSkMEC.2 tube formation. The proangiogenic factors produced by HEPC-CB.1 were identified using cytokine antibody array. Out of 120 examined factors, the HEPC-CB.1 cell line produced 63, some with known angiogenic activity. As in vivo the angiogenic process occurs at low oxygen tension, it was observed that in hypoxia, the production of defined factors was augmented. The presented results demonstrate that HEPC-CB.1 cells are able to both cooperate and integrate in a newly formed network and produce factors that help the network formation. The results suggest that HEPC-CB.1 cells are indeed endothelial progenitors and may prove to be an effective tool in regenerative medicine.

Autotransplantation of the Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Therapy of Venous Stasis Ulcers.

Adipose tissue is a reliable source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) for use in regenerative medicine. The aim of this pilot study was to describe the method, and assess the safety and the potential efficacy of transplantation of autologous adipose tissue-derived MSC for the treatment of chronic venous stasis ulcers. Study group consisted of 11 patients (mean age: 66.6 ± 9.5 years) with chronic venous stasis ulcers. Adipose tissue was harvested by tumescent-aspiration method. Stromal cells were separated using a dedicated closed system in a real-time bedside manner. The phenotype of cells was determined immediately after separation. Cell concentrate was implanted subcutaneously around the wound and the wound bed. All ulcers were assessed planimetrically before autotransplantation and every two weeks during the six-month follow-up. During the study all patients received standard local and general treatment. The preparation contained an average of 5.6 × 106 ± 4 × 106 cells per milliliter. The phenotype of 65-82% of transplanted cells expressed MSC markers: CD73+ CD90+ and CD34+. An improvement was observed in 75% of ulcers. The data showed highly significant negative correlation (p < 0.0001) between wound size and wound closure degree. There was no correlation of ulcer healing with other parameters evaluated, including age of the patients. No serious side effects were observed. Autotransplantation of adipose tissue stromal cells may be a safe and promising treatment method for chronic venous ulcers.

MRP1 protein expression in leukemic stem cells as a negative prognostic marker in acute myeloid leukemia patients.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that expression of multi-drug resistance (MDR) proteins (MDR1, BCRP, MDR3, MRP1, and LRP) in leukemic blasts correlates with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients' clinical response. Assuming that leukemic stem cells (LSC) are resistant to chemotherapy and responsible for relapse, it might be clinically relevant to evaluate the expression level of MDR proteins in LSC and relate it to the clinical outcome. METHODS: Bone marrow samples from 26 patients with de novo AML were labeled with antibodies to distinguish CD34+CD38-CD123+ LSC population and with antibodies against MDR1, BCRP, MDR3, MRP1, or LRP proteins. Multicolor flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the expression of MDR proteins in blasts and LSC. RESULTS: Nine of 26 patients with AML attained CR (30%). High negative correlation was found between MDR1 and LRP expression in blasts and the patient's remission. MDR proteins were expressed more frequently in LSC than in leukemic blasts. High negative correlation was also observed between remission achievement and MRP1 expression in LSC. CONCLUSIONS: Our data present for the very first time the high negative correlation between MRP1 protein expression in LSC and AML patients' remission. It does strongly suggest that MRP1 expression in LSC is an adverse prognostic marker in patients with de novo AML.

Increased Endothelial Progenitor Cell Number in Early Stage of Endometrial Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: It is generally believed that circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reflect the state of the endothelium, its injury and/or repair possibilities. In different types of cancers, increased numbers of CECs and EPCs were found, suggesting their participation in cancer angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine whether, in the blood circulation of women with early endometrial cancer, CEC and EPC levels differ from those of healthy women of similar age. METHODS: For CEC number evaluation, samples of peripheral blood cells of women with endometrial carcinoma and control subjects were labeled with anti-CD31 and anti-CD45 antibodies; for EPCs, with anti-VEGFR2 (vascular-endothelium growth factor receptor 2)/KDR and anti-CD34 antibodies. The CEC and EPC cells were then quantified by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Endothelial progenitor cell numbers (CD34, VEGFR2/KDR) in the peripheral blood of women with endometrial carcinoma were significantly augmented as compared with those of control healthy women and CEC numbers (CD31, CD45) were similar in both groups. Cancer patients were divided according to the grading into G1 and G2 groups and according to the stage into International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IA and FIGO IB groups. Statistically significant augmented EPC numbers were demonstrated only in G1 and FIGO IA patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly suggest new vessel formation from recruited endothelial precursors as being involved mainly at the early stages of tumor progression.

Expression and activity of multidrug resistance proteins in mature endothelial cells and their precursors: A challenging correlation.

Active cellular transporters of harmful agents-multidrug resistance (mdr) proteins-are present in tumor, stem and endothelial cells, among others. While mdr proteins are broadly studied in tumor cells, their role in non-tumor cells and the significance of their action not connected with removal of harmful xenobiotics is less extensively documented. Proper assessment of mdr proteins expression is difficult. Mdr mRNA presence is most often evaluated but that does not necessarily correlate with the protein level. The protein expression itself is difficult to determine; usually cells with mdr overexpression are studied, not cells under physiological conditions, in which a low expression level of mdr protein is often insufficient for detection in vitro. Various methods are used to identify mdr mRNA and protein expression, together with functional tests demonstrating their biological drug transporting activities. Data comparing different methods of investigating expression of mdr mRNAs and their corresponding proteins are still scarce. In this article we present the results of a study concerning mdr mRNA and protein expression. Our goal was to search for the best method to investigate the expression level and functional activity of five selected mdr proteins-MDR1, BCRP, MRP1, MRP4 and MRP5-in established in vitro cell lines of human endothelial cells (ECs) and their progenitors. Endothelial cells demonstrated mdr presence at the mRNA level, which was not always confirmed at the protein level or in functional tests. Therefore, several different assays had to be applied for evaluation of mdr proteins expression and functions in endothelial cells. Among them functional tests seemed to be the most conclusive, although not very specific.

Euphorbia Species-derived Diterpenes and Coumarins as Multidrug Resistance Modulators in Human Colon Carcinoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Recently, many new potent multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal agents have been discovered, among them lathyrane and jatrophane diterpenes isolated from various Euphorbia species. In the present study, the cytotoxicity, P-glycoprotein inhibition activity, and MDR reversal potency of six diterpenes and two coumarins from two Euphorbia species were studied in human colon carcinoma LoVo cells, and doxorubicin-resistant, LoVo/Dx cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity of the studied compounds (alone and in combination with doxorubicin) was investigated. Inhibition of P-glycoprotein transport activity was monitored by flow cytometry. Changes in intracellular doxorubicin accumulation were observed by means of fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Latilagascene B was demonstrated to be an effective P-glycoprotein inhibitor, able to increase doxorubicin accumulation in resistant cells, however not able to restore doxorubicin cytotoxicity in LoVo/Dx cells. CONCLUSION: The structure of latilagascene B seems to be an interesting candidate for further synthesis of new derivatives of reduced cytotoxicity and high anti-MDR potency.

Temporary elimination of IL-10 enhanced the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide and BMDC-based therapy by decrease of the suppressor activity of MDSCs and activation of antitumour immune response.

The antitumour activity of the dendritic cell (DC)-based cellular vaccines is greatly reduced in hostile tumour microenvironment. Therefore, there are many attempts to eliminate or neutralize both suppressor cells and cytokines. The aim of the investigation was to verify if temporary elimination of IL-10 just before injection of bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) enhance the antitumour activity of applied vaccines and help to overcome the immunosuppressive tumour barrier. Mice bearing colon carcinoma MC38 were given single dose of cyclophosphamide (CY) followed by alternate injections of anti-IL-10 antibodies and BMDC-based vaccines consisted of BMDCs stimulated with MC38 tumour antigen (BMDC/TAg) or the combination of BMDC/TAg with BMDCs transduced with IL-12 genes (BMDC/IL-12). The high tumour growth inhibition was observed in mice treated with CY+anti-IL-10+BMDC/TAg as well as CY±anti-IL-10+BMDC/TAg+BMDC/IL-12. However, the mechanisms of action of particular treatment schemes were diversified. Generally, it was observed that application of anti-IL-10 Abs reduced suppressor activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). However, anti-IL-10 Abs in combination with diversely composed BMDC-based vaccines induced different components of an antitumour response. The high cytotoxic activity of spleen-derived NK cells and increased influx of these cells into tumours of mice treated with CY+anti-IL-10+BMDC/TAg indicate that mice from the group developed strong NK-dependent response. Whereas, application of anti-IL-10 Abs just before injection of BMDC/TAg+BMDC/IL-12 did not enhanced NK cell activity. Furthermore, it significantly impaired effectiveness of therapy composed of CY+BMDC/TAg+BMDC/IL-12 vaccine in induction of Th1 type immune response. Taken together, our results indicate that temporary elimination of IL-10 is an important and effective way to decrease the immune suppression associated with MDSCs activity and represents a useful strategy for successful enhancement of the antitumour activity of BMDC/TAg-based vaccines.

Cyclophosphamide and IL-12-transduced DCs enhance the antitumor activity of tumor antigen-stimulated DCs and reduce Tregs and MDSCs number.

A hostile tumor microenvironment, characterized by an abundance of T regulatory cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), considerably limits the efficacy of dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines. The intention of this study was to enhance the antitumor activity of vaccines consisting of bone marrow-derived DCs stimulated with TAg (BMDC/TAg) via single administration of cyclophosphamide and multiple injections of interleukin (IL)-12-transduced DCs (BMDC/IL-12). The combined chemoimmunotherapy was applied in the treatment of mice with subcutaneously (SC) growing, advanced MC38 colon carcinoma. The highest level of tumor growth inhibition, accompanied by high cytotoxic activity of effector cells, and their increased influx into tumor tissue, was observed after application of cyclophosphamide in combination with BMDC/TAg and BMDC/IL-12. The effect was probably associated with the elimination of T regulatory cells from spleens and tumors, but most of all with changes in the number and differentiation stage of MDSCs. After the therapy, the percentage of granulocytic and monocytic MDSCs in spleens was significantly lower than in the control group. Moreover, MDSCs derived from spleens and tumors showed increased expression of MHC class II, which may indicate the higher maturation stage of the myeloid cells as well as their enhanced capacity toward antigen presentation. The obtained data indicate that the optimal composition of antitumor vaccines able to limit the suppressor activity of MDSCs is essential to enhance the elimination of tumor cells and to achieve an optimal therapeutic effect.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension is accompanied by decreased number of circulating endothelial cells and circulating endothelial progenitor cells.

Maternal endothelial dysfunction is one of the main features of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). It is generally accepted that circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reflect the state of the endothelium, its injury and/or repair possibilities. The objective of this study was to determine whether the CECs and EPCs numbers in the circulation of women with PIH reflect the presence of this pathology. Peripheral blood cells of PIH and normotensive pregnant women were labeled with specific monoclonal antibodies. For CECs evaluation, samples were labeled with anti-CD31 and anti-CD45 antibodies; for EPCs with anti-VEGFR2/KDR and anti-CD34 antibodies. Cells were quantified by flow cytometry. The levels of both CECs (CD31(+), CD45(-)) and EPCs (CD34(+), VEGFR2/KDR(+)) in the peripheral blood of women with PIH were significantly lower compared with those of control pregnant women with normal blood pressure level. Lowered accessibility of maternal CECs and EPCs may diminish general regenerative potential of the patient endothelia, contributing to PIH symptoms and to the risk of subsequent coronary and arterial disease.

Prognostic value of the Fas/Fas ligand system in breast cancer.

Fas and its ligand (FasL) are known to play a crucial role in the genetically controlled mechanism of cell death, and their deregulation in cancer cells is involved in the immune escape of the tumor. The aim of this review is to analyze the current knowledge on the prognostic value of Fas/FasL in breast cancer patients. Both the results of other authors and our own experiences indicate that the lack of Fas ligand, and particularly Fas, is related to a significantly worse prognosis. It probably results from the resistance of Fas-deficient breast tumors to the mechanisms of apoptosis. On the other hand, some results suggest that the Fas/FasL-dependent mechanisms of tumor spread may be different for various target tissues. The expression of the Fas/Fas-ligand system has potential prognostic application in view of current knowledge, and consequently should be considered as an additional prognostic factor in breast cancer patients.

[Natural killer cells complot with dendritic cells]. / Zwiazki komórek NK z komórkami dendrytycznymi.

Dendritic cells (DC) were initially considered as antigen presenting cells participating in the polarization of the immune response. Further understanding of their biology allowed determining their additional functions such as immunoregulatory and cytotoxicity. Until recently natural killer (NK) cells were known as a homogeneous population of lymphocytes capable of non-specific recognizing and eliminating target cells. Now it is widely accepted that NK cells, as a heterogeneous population, may also possess immunomodulatory functions. Moreover, the most recent analysis of the interactions between DC and NK cells revealed the exceptional functions of these cells. As a result of these studies the existence of bitypic cell population was postulated. The distinguishing features of these hybrid cells are: the expression of surface receptors typical for NK cells and DC, the cytotoxic activity, the production of interferons as well as their ability to present antigen after prior stimulation. Despite the lack of strong direct evidence that the same cell can be both cytotoxic and effectively present the antigen at the same time, there are experimental findings suggesting that generated ex vivo bitypic cells may be used in antitumor therapy. 

Multidrug resistance reversal and apoptosis induction in human colon cancer cells by some flavonoids present in citrus plants.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells constitutes one of the main reasons for chemotherapy failure. The search for nontoxic modulators that reduce MDR is a task of great importance. An ability to enhance apoptosis of resistant cells would also be beneficial. In the present study, the MDR reversal and apoptosis-inducing potency of three flavonoids produced by Citrus plants, namely, naringenin (1a), aromadendrin (2), and tangeretin (3), and the methylated naringenin derivatives (1b, 1c), have been studied in sensitive (LoVo) and multidrug-resistant (LoVo/Dx) human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Cytotoxicity of methoxylated flavonoids was higher as compared to hydroxylated analogues. Only 3 turned out to inhibit P-glycoprotein, as demonstrated by a rhodamine 123 accumulation assay. It also increased doxorubicin accumulation in LoVo/Dx cells and enabled doxorubicin to enter cellular nuclei. In addition, 3 was found to be an effective MDR modulator in resistant cells by sensitizing them to doxorubicin. Tangeretin-induced caspase-3 activation and elevated surface phosphatidylserine exposure demonstrated its apoptosis-inducing activity in LoVo/Dx cells, while the other flavonoids evaluated were not active. Additionally, 3 was more toxic to resistant rather than to sensitive cancer cells. Its apoptosis-inducing activity was also higher in LoVo/Dx than in LoVo cells. It was concluded that the activity of 3 against multidrug-resistant cancer cells may be enhanced by its apoptosis-inducing activity.

Antitumor effect of murine dendritic and tumor cells transduced with IL-2 gene.

Interleukin (IL-) 2 acts on a number of types of immune cells promoting their effector functions. To replace systemic administration of recombinant form of this cytokine, various genetically modified cells have been used indifferent preclinical models for tumor growth inhibition. In this study, dendritic or tumor cells transduced with retroviral vector carrying IL-2 gene (JAWS II/IL-2, X63/IL-2, MC38/IL-2 cells) alone or combined with tumor antigen-stimulated dendritic cells (JAWS II/TAg) were exploited to treat colon carcinoma MC38-bearing mice. After the peritumoral injection of vaccine cells, the tumor growth delay and the increase in the number of tumor infiltrating CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes were noted. A considerable increase in CD4⁺ cell influx into tumor tissue was observed when JAWS II/IL-2 cells or JAWS II/TAg with syngeneic MC38/IL-2 cells were applied. The increase in intensity of CD8⁺ cell infiltration was associated with immune reaction triggered by the same combination of applied cells or JAWS II/TAg with allogeneic X63/IL-2 cells. The effect observed in vivo was accompanied by MC38/0 cell specific cytotoxic activity of spleen cells in vitro. Thus, the application of vaccines, including IL-2-secreting cells of various origins, was able to induce different antitumor responses polarized by exogenous IL-2 and the encountered tumor antigen.

Reduced number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CD133+/KDR+) in patients with plaque psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) play a significant role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of CEPCs in patients with psoriasis compared to controls and assess possible correlations between the number of these cells and the plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and clinical features of psoriasis. METHODS: The number of CEPCs, identified as CD133+/KDR+ cells, was determined with flow cytometry in peripheral blood of psoriatic patients (n = 63) and controls (n = 31). The plasma levels of VEGF and sVEGFR-1 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The number of CEPCs was significantly reduced in psoriatic patients compared with controls (p = 0.000026) and inversely correlated with disease severity (R = -0.283; p = 0.0248). CONCLUSION: A reduced number of CEPCs may contribute to endothelial dysfunction in patients with psoriasis.

Endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor: potential regulators of endothelial progenitor cell number in chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular mortality is significantly increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may affect vascular regenerative potential and thus influence cardiovascular mortality. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the number of circulating EPCs and the factors that potentially affect these cells, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin, in patients with CKD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 139 patients divided into groups depending on the severity of renal impairment: 67 predialysis patients with CKD, 46 patients on hemodialysis (HD), and 26 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Plasma levels of VEGF and endostatin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The number of circulating EPCs, defined as CD34+VEGFR2+, was assessed in the whole blood using flow cytometry. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between VEGF and CD34+VEGFR2+ and the glomerular filtration rate. Endostatin levels increased with renal impairment. The highest endostatin levels were observed in HD and PD patients. The number of EPCs was significantly lower in predialysis patients with CKD and in HD patients, while in PD patients it was nonsignificantly lower compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CKD, a decrease in circulating EPCs may impair vascular regenerative potential and thus contribute to a higher cardiovascular risk. The effect of significantly increased endostatin levels on the endothelial function and progenitors in patients with CKD requires further investigation.

CD133 positive progenitor endothelial cell lines from human cord blood.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) modulate postnatal vascularization and contribute to vessel regeneration in adults. Stem cells and progenitor cells were found in umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, and mobilized peripheral blood cells, from where they were isolated and cultured. However, the yield of progenitor cells is usually not sufficient for clinical application and the quality of progenitor cells varies. The aim of the study was the immortalization of early progenitor cells with high proliferative potential, capable to differentiate to EPCs and, further, toward endothelial cells. Two cell lines, namely HEPC-CB.1 and HEPC-CB.2 (human endothelial progenitor cells-cord blood) were isolated. As assessed by specific antibody labeling and flow cytometric analysis, they express a panel of stem cell markers: CD133, CD13, CD271, CD90 and also endothelial cell markers: CD202b, CD309 (VEGFR2), CD146, CD105, and CD143 but they do not present markers of finally differentiated endothelial cells: CD31, vWf, nor CD45 which is a specific hematopoietic cell marker. Using the multiplex Cytometric Bead Assay, the simultaneous production of proangiogenic cytokines IL8, angiogenin, and VEGF was demonstrated in normoxia and was shown to be increased by hypoxia. Both cell lines, similarly as mature endothelial cells, underwent in vitro pre-angiogenic process, formed pseudovessel structures and present an accelerated angiogenesis in hypoxic conditions. To date, these are the first CD133 positive established cell lines from human cord blood cells.

Generation of antitumor response by IL-2-transduced JAWS II dendritic cells.

Antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) are a promising tool for inducing a tumor-specific immune response. It seems probable that co-administration of those cells together with cytokine-transduced DCs can further increase effectiveness of the antitumor vaccine. The local production of IL-2 by genetically modified DCs may result in alteration of the unfavorable tumor environment causing immune response dysfunction. In the presented study murine DCs of an established JAWS II cell line were transduced with a retroviral vector carrying murine IL-2 gene (JAWS II/IL-2). JAWS II/IL-2 cells demonstrated slightly decreased tumor antigen (TAg) uptake capacities. However, this modification resulted in enhanced ability of the cells to migrate in vivo. The multiple injection of vaccines containing JAWS II/IL-2 cells caused MC38 tumor growth delay and prolonged mice survival. The immunological response was manifested as cytotoxic natural killer (NK) and T cell activation and tumor tissue infiltration by CD8(+) and CD4(+) cells, accompanied by increased IFN-γ production by spleen cells. These observations suggest that repeated peritumoral administration of IL-2-producing dendritic cells can inhibit tumor growth by intensification of CD8(+) and CD4(+) cells' influx into tumor tissue and further activation of the systemic antitumor response. It can be concluded that IL-2 transduced dendritic cells may be used as a potent adjuvant in antitumor immunotherapy.

Stilbenes as multidrug resistance modulators and apoptosis inducers in human adenocarcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: The search for promising modulators of cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) that are able to reduce the activity of P-glycoprotein, thus restoring the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs, is ongoing. The identification of compounds that overcome the apoptosis deficiency that frequently accompanies MDR is also of great therapeutic importance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four stilbenes, resveratrol, piceatannol and its two derivatives, were tested for their MDR-modulating and apoptosis-inducing activity in drug-sensitive (LoVo) and doxorubicin-resistant human adenocarcinoma cell line (LoVo/Dx) by means of flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Trans-3,5,3',4'-tetramethoxystilbene (PicMet) was identified as a promising modulator that efficiently increased accumulation of both rhodamine 123 and doxorubicin inside resistant cells. It also increased sensitivity of LoVo/Dx cells to doxorubicin. Resveratrol and trans-3,5,3',4'-tetracetoxystilbene (PicAcet) were identified as apoptosis inducers in LoVo/Dx cells. CONCLUSION: The stilbene structure may constitute a promising chemical scaffold for the synthesis of potential MDR modulators.