New Methodological Approach to Induce a Differentiation Phenotype in Caco-2 Cells Prior to Post-confluence Stage

• Published in: Anticancer research Vol. 27; no. 6B; pp. 3919 - 3925
• Main Authors: FERRARETTO, Anita, GRAVAGHI, Claudia, DONETTI, Elena, COSENTINO, Stefania, DONIDA, Bianca M, BEDONI, Marzia, LOMBARDI, Giovanni, FIORILLI, Amelia, TETTAMANTI, Guido
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Attiki International Institute of Anticancer Research 01.11.2007
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Caco-2 Cells - enzymology; Caco-2 Cells - pathology; Caco-2 Cells - ultrastructure; Cell Count; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cell Growth Processes - physiology; Humans; Medical sciences; Phenotype; Tumors; Cell proliferation; Phenotype; Clinical stage; Cancerology; Caco-2 cells; differentiation; intestine; proliferation; Digestive system; Confluence; Gut; Cell differentiation
• ISSN: 0250-7005

Background: Various differentiation-inducing agents or harvesting of spontaneously late post-confluence cultures have been used to differentiate the human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cell line. We report a new procedure to generate pre-confluent subcultures of Caco-2 population at various stages of differentiation without altering culture conditions. Materials and Methods: Ultrastructural analysis, cell proliferation activity and biochemical markers of differentiation were evaluated at different passages. Results: Subcultures of Caco-2 cells at pre-confluence, exhibiting progressive acquisition of a more benign differentiation phenotype, were generated. Early passages of Caco-2 cells showed a well-developed brush border and incomplete junctional apparatus; subsequent subcultures yielded cell populations with well-developed junctions similar to those of small intestinal cells. Conclusion: These culture conditions represent a new versatile model not only to progressively induce the differentiation program in Caco-2 cells at pre-confluence without changes of culture media, but also to explore mechanistic modes of drug transport and tumor development.