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Differential effects of nutritional and non-nutritional therapies on intestinal barrier function in an in vitro model

  • Original Article—Alimentary Tract
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Abstract

Background

Diminished intestinal epithelial barrier function contributes to the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease. Clinical and experimental studies propose that increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α promotes barrier dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nutritional and other therapies upon intestinal barrier function in the presence of TNF-α in an in vitro model.

Methods

Caco-2 monolayers were grown to confluence on membrane supports and then exposed to TNF-α in the presence of polymeric formula, hydrocortisone or infliximab. Monolayer permeability was evaluated by measuring epithelial resistance, short-circuit current and horseradish peroxidase flux in an Ussing chamber. Tight junction and myosin II regulatory light-chain kinase gene expression was analysed by real-time PCR, with protein expression and localization analysed by Western blot and immunofluorescence.

Results

TNF-α increased monolayer permeability and diminished tight junction integrity. However both polymeric formula and infliximab completely abrogated the effects of TNF-α. These monolayers displayed unchanged permeability and tight junction integrity compared to untreated cells (media-no-TNF-α controls). In contrast, hydrocortisone only partially abrogated the effects of TNF-α, with these monolayers having increased permeability and altered tight junction integrity compared to media-no-TNF-α controls.

Conclusions

Both polymeric formula and infliximab completely prevent epithelial barrier dysfunction in the presence of TNF-α, whereas hydrocortisone partially prevents barrier dysfunction. These results provide evidence that superior mucosal healing can be achieved with both polymeric formula and infliximab compared to hydrocortisone.

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Acknowledgments

This work was made possible by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia (NHMRC, grant number 510230). Laboratory investigations were accomplished in the Westfield Research Laboratories. Osmolite was provided by Abbott Nutrition Australia.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Lily Nahidi, Andrew S. Day & Steven T. Leach

  2. Paediatric Gastroenterology, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Andrew S. Day

  3. Department of Paediatrics, University of Otago, Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Andrew S. Day

  4. Department of Gastroenterology, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Daniel A. Lemberg

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  1. Lily Nahidi
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  2. Andrew S. Day
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Correspondence to Steven T. Leach.

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Nahidi, L., Day, A.S., Lemberg, D.A. et al. Differential effects of nutritional and non-nutritional therapies on intestinal barrier function in an in vitro model. J Gastroenterol 47, 107–117 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-011-0471-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-011-0471-1

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