The Role of MDR1 in Immune System and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Background and MDR1 is nowadays considered as a known transporter involved in drug resistance of different cancers. However, the importance of this protein in different systems of the body and its functional role in other diseases is less studied. This article aimed at investigating the role of MDR1 in the immune system and neurological disorders, and also exploring the possible therapeutic use of this protein. In this review we studied 68 reputable articles published between 1998 and 2014 (both in Persian and English). The search engines included PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Elsevier databases. The expression of MDR1 increases during the maturation of dendritic cells and their migration to lymph nodes to activate T lymphocytes. The function of this protein has been reported in naive B cells and it is expressed during the activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Compared with other leukocyte populations, MDR1 expression levels are the highest in NK cells. MDR1activity in brain capillary endothelial cells, involved in blood-brain barrier, prevents the entry of small drugs and inflammatory molecules into the CNS. The protein expression is reduced in a variety of immune destructive diseases. This article identifies the importance and function of MDR1in brain capillary endothelial cells and those involved in the immune system. Considering the confirmed role of MDR1 in immunological and degenerative disorders, this article may help in resolving the disorders caused by the lack of MDR1expression.