Transgenic HepaRG cells expressing CYP2D6 as an improved model of primary human hepatocytes

CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, which are members of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of metabolic enzymes, play major roles in the metabolism of commonly available drugs. CYP3A4 is involved in the metabolism of 50% of drugs on the market, whereas CYP2D6 is involved in the metabolism of 25% of them. CYP2D6 exhibits a high degree of polymorphic nature in the human population, causing individual differences in CYP2D6 expression and enzymatic activity. Therefore, accurate prediction of drug metabolism and toxicity require a human adult hepatocyte cell model that mimics individual responses in the average population. HepaRG cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, is the only cell line that can differentiate into hepatocyte‐like cells with high expression of CYP3A4 but poor expression of CYP2D6. To solve this problem, we developed transgenic HepaRG cell clones expressing either full‐length or spliced CYP2D6 at various levels with an easy monitoring system for CYP2D6 expression in living cells under a fluorescent microscope. As CYP2D6  mRNA, protein, and fluorescence intensity were closely correlated among transgenic HepaRG clones, fluorescence levels will provide a simple tool for quality assurance of CYP2D6‐expressing HepaRG cells. Thus, the package of transgenic HepaRG cell clones expressing CYP2D6 at various levels will provide an improved hepatocyte model that reflects the average or individual reactions in the human population for in vitro studies of drug metabolism and toxicity involving CYP2D6 and CYP3A4.