Abstract |
To gain further insight on the mosaic expression of specific functional intestinal markers (such as sucrase- isomaltase) in postconfluent Caco-2 cells, a human colon cancer cell line unique in its property to differentiate in vitro into a mature enterocyte-like cell type, a comparative study was undertaken to examine the morphological and functional differentiation of Caco-2 cells at various culture stages. The observations clearly indicate that Caco-2 cells can exist only in three different states in culture: homogeneously undifferentiated (at subconfluence), heterogeneously polarized and differentiated (between 0 and 20 days after confluence), and homogeneously polarized and differentiated (after 30 days). Indeed, in the intermediate state, a strong discrepancy is found among adjacent differentiating cells throughout the monolayer relative to sucrase- isomaltase expression as well as to cell morphology and brush border organization. Back-scattered electron imaging analysis showed a lack of correlation between these parameters at the cellular level. These observations indicate that morphological and functional differentiations of Caco-2 cells progress concomitantly according to a transient mosaic pattern, thus providing evidence that these two processes are not coupled.
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Authors | P H Vachon, J F Beaulieu |
Journal | Gastroenterology
(Gastroenterology)
Vol. 103
Issue 2
Pg. 414-23
(Aug 1992)
ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States |
PMID | 1634060
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Sucrase-Isomaltase Complex
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Topics |
- Cell Differentiation
- Colonic Neoplasms
(enzymology, pathology, ultrastructure)
- Humans
- Sucrase-Isomaltase Complex
(analysis)
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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