Abstract
Caco-2 and T84 cells are intestinal epithelial model cells. Caco-2 cells are more popularly used in drug transport studies, while only a few studies have used T84 cells, and the 2 cell lines have not been compared. We cultured Caco-2 and T84 cells on plastic dish or polycarbonate insert of Transwell and compared the expression and function of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters, including multidrug resistance protein (MDR) 1 and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) 2 and MRP3, in response to various compounds. Overall, the pattern of change in the transporter mRNA expression in response to compounds was very similar regardless of culture conditions (plastic dish or polycarbonate filter) and cell lines (Caco-2 or T84), and change in MDR1 functions was accompanied by expression changes. As for culture conditions, the cells cultured on Transwell insert were more sensitive, regardless of the cell line. On comparing the 2 cell lines, the intrinsic function of MDR1 was stronger in Caco-2 cells, while the sensitivity to compounds was more prominent in T84 cells. These results suggest that Caco-2 cells are more suitable for identifying whether the MDR1 mediates drug transport, while T84 cells are more useful for assessing the induction capacity of compounds.
