Name: methods to study epithelial transport protein function and expression in native intestine and caco-2 cells grown in 3d
Uploaded: 2017-03-16T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Methods to Study Epithelial Transport Protein Function and Expression in Native Intestine and Caco-2 Cells Grown in 3D at JoVE.com

We thank Mr. Christopher Manzella, MD/PhD student in the RKG laboratory, for helping to edit and proofread our manuscript.

1. Study of Intestinal Transporters in a 3D Culture System of Caco-2: Growing 3D Caco-2 Cell Culture on a Gelatinous Protein Mixture
<ol>
	<li>Thaw growth factor reduced gelatinous protein mixture on ice for 8 h (or O/N) at 4 &#176;C. Once thawed, make 1 mL or 500 &#181;L aliquots for use or store at -20 &#176;C for later use.</li>
	<li>On the day of culture, precool the culture plates (for RNA and protein extraction) or chambered slides (for immunostaining) on ice. Add 30 &#181;L of gelatinous protein mixture to each ...

<ol>
	<li>Simon-Assmann, P., Turck, N., Sidhoum-Jenny, M., Gradwohl, G., Kedinger, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+models+of+intestinal+epithelial+cell+differentiation.">In vitro models of intestinal epithelial cell differentiation.</a> Cell Biol Toxicol. 23 (4), 241-256 (2007).</li><li>Shen, C., Meng, Q., Zhang, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+of+3D+printed+insert+for+hanging+culture+of+Caco-2+cells.">Design of 3D printed insert for hanging culture of Caco-2 cells.</a> Biofabrication. 7 (1), 015003 (2014).</li><li>Jaffe, A. B., Kaji, N., Durgan, J., Hall, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cdc42+controls+spindle+orientation+to+position+the+apical+surface+during+epithelial+morphogenesis.">Cdc42 controls spindle orientation to position the apical surface during epithelial morphogenesis.</a> J Cell Biol. 183 (4), 625-633 (2008).</li><li>Martel, F., Monteiro, R., Lemos, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Uptake+of+serotonin+at+the+apical+and+basolateral+membranes+of+human+intestinal+epithelial+(Caco-2)+cells+occurs+through+the+neuronal+serotonin+transporter+(SERT).">Uptake of serotonin at the apical and basolateral membranes of human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells occurs through the neuronal serotonin transporter (SERT).</a> J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 306 (1), 355-362 (2003).</li><li>Gill, R. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Function,+expression,+and+characterization+of+the+serotonin+transporter+in+the+native+human+intestine.">Function, expression, and characterization of the serotonin transporter in the native human intestine.</a> Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 294 (1), G254-G262 (2008).</li><li>Esmaili, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enteropathogenic+Escherichia+coli+infection+inhibits+intestinal+serotonin+transporter+function+and+expression.">Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection inhibits intestinal serotonin transporter function and expression.</a> Gastroenterology. 137 (6), 2074-2083 (2009).</li><li>Wade, P. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Localization+and+function+of+a+5-HT+transporter+in+crypt+epithelia+of+the+gastrointestinal+tract.">Localization and function of a 5-HT transporter in crypt epithelia of the gastrointestinal tract.</a> J Neurosci. 16 (7), 2352-2364 (1996).</li><li>Clarke, L. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+guide+to+Ussing+chamber+studies+of+mouse+intestine.">A guide to Ussing chamber studies of mouse intestine.</a> Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 296 (6), G1151-G1166 (2009).</li><li>Debnath, J., Muthuswamy, S. K., Brugge, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Morphogenesis+and+oncogenesis+of+MCF-10A+mammary+epithelial+acini+grown+in+three-dimensional+basement+membrane+cultures.">Morphogenesis and oncogenesis of MCF-10A mammary epithelial acini grown in three-dimensional basement membrane cultures.</a> Methods. 30 (3), 256-268 (2003).</li><li>Vedeler, A., Pryme, I. F., Hesketh, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insulin+induces+changes+in+the+subcellular+distribution+of+actin+and+5'-nucleotidase.">Insulin induces changes in the subcellular distribution of actin and 5'-nucleotidase.</a> Mol Cell Biochem. 108 (1), 67-74 (1991).</li><li>Botvinkin, A. D., Selimov, M. A., Zgurskaia, G. N., Kulikov, L. G., Aksenova, T. 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O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acyclovir+for+shingles.">Acyclovir for shingles.</a> Br Med J (Clin Res Ed. 295 (6603), 926-927 (1987).</li><li>Churchill, P. F., Churchill, S. A., Martin, M. V., Guengerich, F. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+a+rat+liver+cytochrome+P-450UT-H+cDNA+clone+and+comparison+of+mRNA+levels+with+catalytic+activity.">Characterization of a rat liver cytochrome P-450UT-H cDNA clone and comparison of mRNA levels with catalytic activity.</a> Mol Pharmacol. 31 (2), 152-158 (1987).</li><li>Steiner, M., Tateishi, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Distribution+and+transport+of+calcium+in+human+platelets.">Distribution and transport of calcium in human platelets.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 367 (2), 232-246 (1974).</li><li>McClelland, M., Nelson, M., Cantor, C. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Purification+of+Mbo+II+methylase+(GAAGmA)+from+Moraxella+bovis:+site+specific+cleavage+of+DNA+at+nine+and+ten+base+pair+sequences.">Purification of Mbo II methylase (GAAGmA) from Moraxella bovis: site specific cleavage of DNA at nine and ten base pair sequences.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 13 (20), 7171-7182 (1985).</li><li>Chatterjee, I. s. h. i. t. a., K, A., Gill, R. a. v. i. n. d. e. r. . K., Alrefai, W. a. d. d. a. h. . A., Dudeja, P. r. a. d. e. e. p. . K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=3D+Cell+Culture+of+CaCo2:+A+Better+Model+to+Study+the+Functionality+and+Regulation+of+Intestinal+Ion+Transporters.">3D Cell Culture of CaCo2: A Better Model to Study the Functionality and Regulation of Intestinal Ion Transporters.</a> Gastroenterology. 146 (5, Supplement 1), S-654 (2014).</li><li>Fagg, R. H., Hyslop, N. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+a+variant+strain+of+foot-and-mouth+disease+virus+(type+O)+during+passage+in+partly+immunized+cattle.">Isolation of a variant strain of foot-and-mouth disease virus (type O) during passage in partly immunized cattle.</a> J Hyg (Lond). 64 (4), 397-404 (1966).</li><li>Shilkina, N. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=[The+aspects+of+the+problem+of+systemic+vasculitis+open+to+discussion]).">[The aspects of the problem of systemic vasculitis open to discussion]).</a> Ter Arkh. 61 (12), 102-106 (1989).</li><li>Derichs, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intestinal+current+measurement+for+diagnostic+classification+of+patients+with+questionable+cystic+fibrosis:+validation+and+reference+data.">Intestinal current measurement for diagnostic classification of patients with questionable cystic fibrosis: validation and reference data.</a> Thorax. 65 (7), 594-599 (2010).</li></ol>

Fully differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers have been used extensively as polarized epithelial monolayers to study intestinal transport10,11,12,13,14,15. However, to mimic the physiological organization of intestinal epithelial cells, there has been considerable interest in the development of a Caco-2 culture in 3D. A number ...

A correction was made to the Authors section in: <a href="http://www.jove.com/video/55304">Methods to Study Epithelial Transport Protein Function and Expression in Native Intestine and Caco-2 Cells Grown in 3D</a>.
One of the authors&#39; names was corrected from:
Arivarasu N. Anabazhagan
to:
Arivarasu N. Anbazhagan

A correction was made to the Authors section in: <a href="http://www.jove.com/video/55304">Methods to Study Epithelial Transport Protein Function and Expression in Native Intestine and Caco-2 Cells Grown in 3D</a>.

Erratum: Methods to Study Epithelial Transport Protein Function and Expression in Native Intestine and Caco-2 Cells Grown in 3D

The intestinal epithelium is equipped with various transport proteins (channels, ATPases, co-transporters and exchangers) that perform numerous functions ranging from the absorption of nutrients, electrolytes, and drugs to the secretion of fluid and ions in the lumen. Transport proteins generate electrochemical gradients that permit the movement of ions or molecules in a vectorial manner. This is achieved by the asymmetric distributions of the transport systems in the apical and basolateral membranes of polarized epithelial cells. In addition, tight junctions, which tether adjacent epithelial cells, play an important role in this process by serving as a barrier to the intramembrane diffusion of components between the apical and basolateral membrane domains. Appropriate model systems mimicking these characteristic features of the native intestine (i.e.&#160;polarity, differentiation, and tight junction integrity) are critical for the study of the functionality of epithelial transport systems.
With respect to models, the typical cell lines used currently in intestinal epithelial transport research are Caco-2, a model of fully differentiated, absorptive small intestinal epithelial cells; and T84 cells or HT-29 subclones, models of crypt-derived large intestinal epithelial cells1. Conventionally, these cell lines are grown as monolayers in plastic surfaces or in coated transwell inserts. Trans-well cell culture inserts to some extent resemble the in vivo environment by allowing polarized cells to feed basolaterally. However, a limitation in conventional 2D&#160;culture systems is that the cells are forced to adapt to an artificial, flat, and rigid surface. Thus, the physiological complexity of the native epithelia is not accurately reflected in a 2D system. This limitation has been overcome by methods to grow cells in 3D&#160;in a specific microenvironment, such as gelatinous protein mixture, containing a variety of extracellular matrix components2,3. Nevertheless, the in vitro cultures cannot simulate the complexity of the intestinal epithelium, which has multiple cell types and region-specific architecture in the intestine. Thus, the studies using cell culture models require further validation in the native intestine. Using the in vitro 3D cell culture and mouse intestinal mucosa, we describe here simple methods to study the regulation of the intestinal serotonin transporter (SLC6A4, SERT).
The SERT transporter regulates the extracellular availability of an important hormone and neurotransmitter, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), by rapidly transporting it through a Na+/Cl--dependent process. SERT is a known target of anti-depressants and has recently emerged as a novel therapeutic target of GI disorders, such as diarrhea and intestinal inflammation. Methods to investigate 5-HT uptake in intestinal epithelial cells have been previously described. For example, Caco-2 cells grown on plastic supports or permeable inserts have been shown to exhibit fluoxetine-sensitive 3H-5-HT uptake at both apical and basolateral domains4. The measurement of SERT function in isolated Brush Border Membrane Vesicles (BBMVs) prepared from human organ donor small intestines has also been described by us5. 3H-5-HT uptake in human BBVMs was shown to be fluoxetine-sensitive and Na+/Cl--dependent, and it exhibited saturation kinetics with a Km of 300 nM5. Utilizing similar methods, we also previously measured SERT function as 3H-5-HT uptake in mouse intestinal BBMVs6. However, the preparation of pure plasma membrane vesicles requires a large amount of tissue mucosa. Other methods, such as the radiographic visualization of 3H-5-HT uptake sites, have also been shown previously in guinea pig and rat small intestines7.
The Ussing chamber provides a more physiological system to measure the transport of ions, nutrients, and drugs across various epithelial tissues. The main advantage of the Ussing chamber technique is that it enables the precise measurement of the electrical and transport parameters of intact, polarized intestinal epithelium. Further, to minimize the influence of the intrinsic neuromuscular system, seromuscular stripping of intestinal mucosa can be performed to investigate the regulation of transporters in the epithelium8.
We demonstrate that Caco-2 cells grown in 3D on gelatinous protein form a hollow lumen expressing distinct apical and basolateral markers. These cells show higher expression of SERT than 2D Caco-2 cells. Methods to grow 3D cells and to perform immunostaining or RNA and protein extraction are described. In addition, we describe methods to study SERT function and regulation by TGF-&#946;1, a pleiotropic cytokine, in small intestinal mucosa by utilizing an Ussing chamber technique.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>10X PBS</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>ATCC&#174; HTB&#173;37&#8482;</td>
			<td>Cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10X PBS</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Microsope for confocal Imaging</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3[H]-5-HT&#160;</td>
			<td>LabtekII</td>
			<td>152453</td>
			<td>Culturing cells for microscopy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5-HT&#160;</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>70013-032</td>
			<td>Not a hazardous substance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>95%O2- 5%Co2 cylinder</td>
			<td>KPL</td>
			<td>71-00-27</td>
			<td>Not a hazardous substance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agar (for Agar plates)</td>
			<td>Fischer</td>
			<td>BP151-100</td>
			<td>Acute toxicity, Ora</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agar (for electrode)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G7126-1KG</td>
			<td>Not a hazardous substance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa FluorPhalloidin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C3867-1VL</td>
			<td>Not a hazardous substance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P6148-500G</td>
			<td>Harmful if swallowed or if inhaled</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2</td>
			<td>LifeTechnologies</td>
			<td>A12380</td>
			<td>Not a hazardous substance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCo2 Cells</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A8806-5G</td>
			<td>Not a hazardous substance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell lysis Buffer&#160;</td>
			<td>Fischer</td>
			<td>BP337-100</td>
			<td>Not a hazardous substance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chabered slides</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S5886-1KG</td>
			<td>Not a hazardous substance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagen Type-1Solution</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S8045-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electrodes</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S-0876</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EMEM</td>
			<td>Gibco by Life Technologies</td>
			<td>25200-056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#160;Fetal bovine serum</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>356234</td>
			<td>Used as Extracellular matrix</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluoxetine</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>74104</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#160;Gentamicin</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>30-2003</td>
			<td>Cell culture Media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glycin</td>
			<td>Cell Signaling, Danvers, MA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hepes&#160;</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>11836145001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Indomethacin</td>
			<td>Gibco by Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15070-063</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>K2HPO4</td>
			<td>Gibco by Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15710-064</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KOH</td>
			<td>Gibco by Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15630-080</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-ascorbic acid&#160;</td>
			<td>Gibco by Life Technologies</td>
			<td>10082147</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Liquid scintillation counter&#160;</td>
			<td>Gibco by Life Technologies</td>
			<td>70013--032</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LSM710 Meta</td>
			<td>Physiologic Instruments, San Diego, CA&#160;</td>
			<td>EM-CSYS-8</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mannitol</td>
			<td>Physiologic Instruments, San Diego, CA&#160;</td>
			<td>P2304</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Matrigel</td>
			<td>Physiologic Instruments, San Diego, CA&#160;</td>
			<td>VCC MC8</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Physiologic Instruments, San Diego, CA&#160;</td>
			<td>DM MC6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Multichannel Voltage/current Clamp</td>
			<td>Physiologic Instruments, San Diego, CA&#160;</td>
			<td>P2300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Physiologic Instruments, San Diego, CA&#160;</td>
			<td>P2023-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, Hampton, NH</td>
			<td>BP1423</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaHCO3</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>S5886</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Normal Goat Serum (10%)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, Hampton, NH</td>
			<td>S233</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>P288</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pen-Strp</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>C3881</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Protein assay reagent</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>10420</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Proteinase Inhibitor Cocktail</td>
			<td>MEDOX, Chicago, IL&#160;</td>
			<td>style G- 12300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNA easy Mini kit</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>M4125</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Single Channel Electrode Input Module&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>A92902</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sliders for snapwell Chambers</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>H9523</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Phosphate (Na2HPO4)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>F132</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium-Hydroxide (NaOH)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>T7039</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TGF-&#946;1</td>
			<td>Perkin-Elmer,Waltham, MA</td>
			<td>NFT1167250UC</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TritonX-100</td>
			<td>Packard Instruments, Downers Grove, IL</td>
			<td>B1600</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin EDTA</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>221473</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween-20</td>
			<td>Bio Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA</td>
			<td>5000006</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ussing Chamber (chamber only)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>I7378</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ussing Chamber Systems</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO</td>
			<td>A1296</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

methods to study epithelial transport protein function and expression in native intestine and caco-2 cells grown in 3d

The intestinal epithelium has important transport and barrier functions that play key roles in normal physiological functions of the body while providing a barrier to foreign particles. Impaired epithelial transport (ion, nutrient, or drugs) has been associated with many diseases and can have consequences that extend beyond the normal physiological functions of the transporters, such as by influencing epithelial integrity and the gut microbiome. Understanding the function and regulation of transport proteins is critical for the development of improved therapeutic interventions. The biggest challenge in the study of epithelial transport is developing a suitable model system that recapitulates important features of the native intestinal epithelial cells. Several in vitro cell culture models, such as Caco-2, T-84, and HT-29-Cl.19A cells are typically used in epithelial transport research. These cell lines represent a reductionist approach to modeling the epithelium and have been used in many mechanistic studies, including their examination of epithelial-microbial interactions. However, cell monolayers do not accurately reflect cell-cell interactions and the in vivo microenvironment. Cells grown in 3D have shown to be promising models for drug permeability studies. We show that Caco-2 cells in 3D can be used to study epithelial transporters. It is also important that studies in Caco-2 cells are complemented with other models to rule out cell specific effects and to take into account the complexity of the native intestine. Several methods have been previously used to assess the functionality of transporters, such as everted sac and uptake in isolated epithelial cells or in isolated plasma membrane vesicles. Taking into consideration the challenges in the field with respect to models and the measurement of transport function, we demonstrate here a protocol to grow Caco-2 cells in 3D and describe the use of an Ussing chamber as an effective approach to measure serotonin transport, such as in intact polarized intestinal epithelia.

Immunostaining in 3D Caco-2 cysts is shown in Figure 1. A representative image of an XY-plane showing well-demarcated lumen in the 3D cyst stained with phalloidin actin is depicted in Figure 1A. The side facing the lumen denotes the apical side. Epithelial cells cultured in a 3D environment result in a robust epithelial phenotype. Different Caco-2 cysts on day 12, when actin and SERT were co-stained, are shown in Figure 1B. In this repres...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Methods to Study Epithelial Transport Protein Function and Expression in Native Intestine and Caco-2 Cells Grown in 3D at JoVE.com

Methods to Study Epithelial Transport Protein Function and Expression in Native Intestine and Caco-2 Cells Grown in 3D

We describe simple methods to study the regulation of intestinal serotonin transporter (SERT) function and expression using an in vitro cell culture model of Caco-2 cells grown in 3D&#160;and an ex vivo model of mouse intestines. These methods are applicable to the study of other epithelial transporters.

The intestinal epithelium has important transport and barrier functions that play key roles in normal physiological functions of the body while providing ...

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Biology

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