An Experimental Model of Human Absorptive Enterocytes (Caco-2) to Assess the Bioavailability of Various Metals

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An Experimental Model of Human Absorptive
Enterocytes (Caco-2) to Assess the
Bioavailability of Various Metals

• Jonas Tallkvist
• Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary
  Public Health, Division of Pathology,
  Pharmacology and Toxicology, Swedish University
  of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden

MITF 071018
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Bioavailability
The fraction of ingested metal that reaches the
systemic circulation
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Factors Influencing Bioavailability

• Dose
• Age
• pH
• Gastrointestinal contents
• Nutritional status
• Disease

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Metals Investigated in Caco-2 Cells
V
Mn
Pb
Zn
Cr
Ni
Fe
Cu
Co
Mg
Ca
Cd
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Routes of Metal Absorption
Active
Passive
Mucosal/apical side
Enterocytes
Basement membrane
Blood vessel
Blood/basolateral side
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The Caco-2 Cell Model
Apical chamber
Caco-2 cells
Basolateral chamber
Permeable filter support
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Cadmium Absorption
Zalups and Ahmad (2003) Toxcol Appl Pharm, 186, 3
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Correlation Between DMT1 Expression and Cd
Transport in Caco-2 Cells
Tallkvist et al., (2001) Tox Lett, 122, 171
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Summary
The Caco-2 cell model provides a useful tool to
assess the bioavailability of metals at various
defined experimental conditions. The Caco-2 cell
model offers the possibility to gain insight into
molecular mechanisms implicated in the
bioavailability of metals.
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Thank-You for Your Attention!