Effects of β-Lactoglobulin on the Tight-junctional Stability of Caco-2-SF Monolayer

Abstract

  The mechanisms for tight-junction (TJ) stabilization by β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) were studied. Treatment of Caco-2-SF cells with inhibitors for some enzymes in the intracellular signal transduction pathways and a cytoskeleton-disturbing agent (cytochalasin D) reduced the TJ-stabilizing activity of β-Lg. So β-Lg is suggested to modulate the cytoskeletal structure through the activation of phospholipase C and protein kinase C, resulting in the TJ stabilization.