Caco-2

Caco-2 is a cell line that was originally established from a human colorectal carcinoma. It is a popular model used in pharmaceutical research for the study of intestinal drug absorption, as it exhibits many of the properties of mature enterocytes, including the expression of microvilli and the ability to differentiate into a number of different cell types.

History

The Caco-2 cell line was first established in the late 1970s by the cancer researcher Jorgen Fogh, who derived it from a primary colorectal cancer in a 72-year-old male patient. Since then, it has been widely used in biomedical research, particularly in the field of pharmacology.

Characteristics

Caco-2 cells are epithelial in nature and exhibit many of the characteristics of mature enterocytes, the cells that line the small intestine. They form tight junctions with each other, creating a barrier that mimics the intestinal epithelium. They also express microvilli, small projections on the cell surface that increase its surface area and enhance its ability to absorb nutrients and drugs.

Use in Research

Caco-2 cells are widely used in pharmaceutical research as a model of the human intestinal epithelium. They are particularly useful for studying drug absorption, as they can be used to predict the extent to which a drug will be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. They are also used to study drug transport mechanisms and the effects of various drug interactions.

Limitations

While Caco-2 cells are a valuable tool in pharmaceutical research, they do have some limitations. For example, they do not perfectly mimic the human intestinal epithelium, and there are some differences in drug absorption between Caco-2 cells and the human intestine. Additionally, they are derived from a colorectal cancer, and therefore may not accurately represent normal, healthy enterocytes.

See Also

• Cell culture
• Drug absorption
• Enterocytes
• Pharmaceutical research