Eva Ragnarsson

Determination of drug permeability and prediction of drug absorption in Caco-2 monolayers

Permeability coefficients across monolayers of the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2, cultured on permeable supports, are commonly used to predict the absorption of orally administered drugs and other xenobiotics. This protocol describes our method for the cultivation, characterization and determination of permeability coefficients of xenobiotics (which are, typically, drug-like compounds) in the Caco-2 model. A few modifications that have been introduced over the years are incorporated in the protocol. The method can be used to trace the permeability of a test compound in two directions, from the apical to the basolateral side or vice versa, and both passive and active transport processes can be studied. The permeability assay can be completed within one working day, provided that the Caco-2 monolayers have been cultured and differentiated on the permeable supports 3 weeks in advance.

Comparison of drug transporter gene expression and functionality in Caco-2 cells from 10 different laboratories

Caco-2 cells, widely used to study carrier mediated uptake and efflux mechanisms, are known to have different properties when cultured under different conditions. In this study, Caco-2 cells from 10 different laboratories were compared in terms of mRNA expression levels of 72 drug and nutrient transporters, and 17 other target genes, including drug metabolising enzymes, using real-time PCR. The rank order of the top five expressed genes was: HPT1>GLUT3>GLUT5>GST1A>OATP-B. Rank correlation showed that for most of the samples, the gene ranking was not significantly different. Functionality of transporters and the permeability of passive transport markers metoprolol (transcellular) and atenolol (paracellular) were also compared. MDR1 and PepT1 function was investigated using talinolol and Gly-Sar transport, respectively. Sulfobromophthalein (BSP) was used as a marker for MRP2 and OATP-B functionality. Atenolol permeability was more variable across laboratories than metoprolol permeability. Talinolol efflux was observed by all the laboratories, whereas only five laboratories observed significant apical uptake of Gly-Sar. Three laboratories observed significant efflux of BSP. MDR1 expression significantly correlated to the efflux ratio and net active efflux of talinolol. PepT1 mRNA levels showed significant correlation to the uptake ratio and net active uptake of Gly-Sar. MRP2 and OATP-B showed no correlation to BSP transport parameters. Heterogeneity in transporter activity may thus be due to differences in transporter expression as shown for PepT1 and MDR1 which in turn is determined by the culture conditions. Absolute expression of genes was variable indicating that small differences in culture conditions have a significant impact on gene expression, although the overall expression patterns were similar.

PEI – a potent, but not harmless, mucosal immuno-stimulator of mixed T-helper cell response and FasL-mediated cell death in mice

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) is one of the most effective gene delivery systems available today. However, very little is known about its ability to stimulate a systemic immune response and the molecular mechanisms thereof. However, this information is vital for the future development of new gene delivery systems.Here we address this issue by studying gene expression profiles from spleen lymphocytes after in vivo immunization of mice with PEI formulated with a reporter plasmid (PEI+) or the formulation alone (PEI−). PEI− was found to provoke the activation of genes with important immunostimulatory functions, but without the necessary costimulatory signals. PEI+ resulted in: a mixed Th1/Th2 response; activation of both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, with a larger effect on CD4+; and FasL-mediated antigen-induced cell death. A comparison of the immune responses of PEI+ with that of the clinically used tetanus toxoid–aluminum phosphate vaccine showed that the DNA vaccine provoked a stronger immune response as compared to the protein vaccine. However, many genes involved in other cellular responses such as apoptosis, stress responses and oncogenesis were activated in PEI+, supporting the theory of immunostimulation by danger genes, but also pointing toward possible adverse reactions such as Alzheimers disease.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis induces transcytosis of nanoparticles across human intestinal villus epithelium via invasin-dependent macropinocytosis

Crohns disease is characterized by a defect in intestinal barrier function, where bacteria are considered the most important inflammation-driving factor. Enteric bacteria, including E. coli and Yersinia spp, affect tight junctions in enterocytes, but little is known about bacterial effects on the transcellular pathway. Our objective was to study the short-term effects of Y. pseudotuberculosis on uptake of nanoparticles across human villus epithelium. Monolayers of human colon epithelium-derived Caco-2 cells and biopsies of normal human ileum were studied after 2 h exposure to Y. pseudotuberculosis expressing (inv+) or lacking (inv−) the bacterial adhesion molecule, invasin. Transepithelial transport of fluorescent nanoparticles (markers of transcytosis) was quantified by flow cytometry, and mechanisms explored by using inhibitors of endocytosis. Epithelial expressions of β1-integrin and particle uptake pathways were studied by confocal microscopy. The paracellular pathway was assessed by electrical resistance (TER), mannitol flux, and expression of tight junction proteins occludin and caludin-4 by confocal microscopy. Inv+ Y. pseudotuberculosis adhered to the apical surface of epithelial cells and induced transcytosis of exogenous nanoparticles across Caco-2 monolayers (30-fold increase, P<0.01) and ileal mucosa (268±47% of control; P<0.01), whereas inv− bacteria had no effect on transcytosis. The transcytosis was concentration-, particle size- and temperature-dependent, and possibly mediated via macropinocytosis. Y. pseudotuberculosis also induced apical expression of β1-integrin on epithelial cells. A slight drop in TER was seen after exposure to inv+ Y. pseudotuberculosis, whereas mannitol flux and tight junction protein expression was unchanged. In summary, Y. pseudotuberculosis induced apical expression of β1-integrin and stimulated uptake of nanoparticles via invasin-dependent transcytosis in human intestinal epithelium. Our findings suggest that bacterial factors may initiate transcytosis of luminal exogenous particles across human ileal mucosa, thus presenting a novel mechanism of intestinal barrier dysfunction.

Gene expression after vaccination of mice with formulations of diphtheria toxoid or tetanus toxoid and different adjuvants: identification of shared and vaccine-specific genes in spleen lymphocytes

We immunized mice with four different combinations of diphtheria toxoid or tetanus toxoid with aluminum phosphate or Freunds adjuvant and studied the resulting gene expression profiles in spleen lymphocytes. Genes, which are unique for each combination or shared in several combinations, were found activated, with functions in immune response but also in other cellular processes like apoptosis or signal transduction. Using bioinformatic tools we show, that some of the genes may serve as indicators for adverse reactions, while other genes may be new immune response markers. The results also suggest that adjuvant participates in the formation of an immunological memory.

Tetanus antigen modulates the gene expression profile of aluminum phosphate adjuvant in spleen lymphocytes in vivo

Adjuvants play an important role in stimulation of the immune response to antigens. Very little is known about the molecular mechanisms of this stimulation. Here we address this issue by studying gene expression profiles from spleen lymphocytes after in vivoimmunization of mice with a clinically relevant vaccine, tetanus toxoid formulated with aluminum phosphate as adjuvant (TTADJ), or the adjuvant alone (ADJ). The Th1/Th2 response to TTADJ was obtained from a combination of up- and downstream markers to conventional cytokines, which were in good agreement with cytokine protein levels. A clustering algorithm revealed that ADJ elicited expression of 47 genes active in cytotoxic lymphocytes, inflammation, oncogenesis, stress, toxicity and cell cycle regulation. In TTADJ these adjuvant-elicited genes were expressed at lower levels and a compensatory onset of protective and inhibitory genes was observed. We conclude that the antigen, to a larger extent than previously recognized, modulates the molecular mechanism of the aluminum phosphate adjuvant and that the identified genes may serve as predictive biomarkers in the development of new adjuvants and vaccines.

The Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-6 Regulates Nanoparticle Transport Across Model Follicle-Associated Epithelium Cells

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the pro-inflammatory cytokines improved the function of the cell monolayer model of the human follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of co-culture of Caco-2 cells on permeable filters with Raji B-cells underneath from the viewpoint of particle transport. Exposure to tumor necrosis factor-α resulted in an almost maintained epithelial integrity/paracellular permeability combined with an increased nanoparticle transport in a dose-dependent manner while the effects of interleukin (IL)-1β were limited. Exposure to IL-6 significantly enhanced the nanoparticle transport with the limited disruption of the cell monolayer integrity. The addition of IL-6 or tumor necrosis factor-α to Caco-2 monolayers without Raji B-cells did not enhance nanoparticle transport. In our IL-6 treated FAE model, the nanoparticle transport almost disappeared at 4°C or after the addition of 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride, an inhibitor of macropinocytosis. Furthermore, IgA binding, presumably by a secretory IgA receptor, a marker of M-cells was observed on the apical side of our model FAE. These results indicate that the combined effect of IL-6 with unknown factors from Raji-B cells made the FAE model more functional with regard to nanoparticle transport. The IL-6 enhanced FAE model will be a useful platform for nanoparticle drug delivery research across the intestinal epithelium.