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Glutamine and barrier function in cultured Caco-2 epithelial cell monolayers
Vincent G DeMarco1, Nan Li, Justin Thomas
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
The Journal of Nutrition
|July 4, 2003
Summary
Dietary glutamine (Gln) is vital for intestinal barrier function. However, this study suggests Gln
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Dietary glutamine (Gln) plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity.
- The specific contribution of the intestinal epithelium to Gln dependence requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of the intestinal epithelium in the Gln dependence of barrier function.
- To investigate how Gln availability, via exogenous supply or endogenous synthesis, impacts epithelial barrier properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Caco-2 cell monolayers cultured on semipermeable membranes to model intestinal crypt and villus regions.
- Manipulated Gln availability through medium supplementation and inhibition of Gln synthetase (GS) using methionine sulfoximine.
- Assessed barrier function by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and paracellular flux of radiolabeled mannitol and FITC-dextran.
Main Results:
- Epithelial barrier function was dependent on Gln supply, whether from the apical/basal medium or endogenous synthesis via GS.
- The barrier's sensitivity to Gln deprivation was comparable to its sensitivity to alterations in total protein levels.
- These findings indicate that Gln's role in vivo may extend beyond direct epithelial barrier maintenance.
Conclusions:
- The intestinal epithelial barrier requires glutamine (Gln) for its integrity.
- Gln's importance for the in vivo gut mucosal barrier may involve functions beyond direct epithelial barrier maintenance.
- Further research is needed to explore these additional roles of Gln in the gut.