Epithelial barrier resistance is increased by the divalent cation zinc in cultured MDCKII epithelial monolayers.

Topical zinc applications promote wound healing and epithelialization. "Leaky" MDCKII epithelia exposed to apical ZnCl2 (10 mM) showed a time-dependent increase (t (0.5) 22.2 ± 2.7 min) of transepithelial resistance (R (t)) from 82.3 ± 2.4 Ω cm² to 1,551 ± 225.6 Ω cm²; the increase was dose-dependent, being observed at 3 mM but not at 1 mM. Basal Zn²+ applications also increased epithelial resistance (at 10 mM to 323 ± 225.6 Ω cm²). The linear current-voltage relationship in control epithelia changed after apical 10 mM ZnCl2 to show rectification. Voltage deflections resulting from inward currents showed time-dependent relaxation (basal potential difference (p.d.)-positive), with outward currents being time-independent. Cation selectivity was tested after apical ZnCl2 elevated resistance; both the NaCl:mannitol (basal replacement) dilution p.d. and the choline:Na bi-ionic p.d. decreased (P(Na)/P(Cl) from 4.9 to 2.3 and P(Na)/P(choline) from 3.8 to 2.1, respectively). Transepithelial paracellular basal to apical 45Ca fluxes increased approximately twofold when driven by a basal positive Na:NMDG bi-ionic p.d., but with basal 10 mM ZnCl2, 45Ca fluxes decreased approximately twofold. Neither ZO-1 nor occludin distribution was altered after ~2-h exposure to apical 10 mM ZnCl2. However, claudin-2, though present at the tight junction, increased within the cell. Increased epithelial barrier resistance by Zn²+ is due to modification of the paracellular pathway, most probably by multiple mechanisms.

Breast cancer resistance protein BCRP (ABCG2)-mediated transepithelial nitrofurantoin secretion and its regulation in human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) layers.

In order to determine the capacity and regulation of the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)-mediated transport in intact human intestinal epithelial monolayers (Caco-2) in which multiple ABC transporters are expressed, nitrofurantoin has been used as a selective transported substrate. Nitrofurantoin transepithelial secretion was confirmed in both human BCRP and mouse bcrp-transfected MDCKII epithelia, whereas no net transepithelial secretion was observed in native or human MDR1-MDCKII epithelia. Furthermore, nitrofurantoin transepithelial secretion by BCRP-MDCKII monolayers was inhibited by Ko143 (10 µM), but not verapamil (100 µM). In Caco-2 cells grown upon permeable supports, nitrofurantoin displayed a dose-dependent transepithelial secretion with an apparent Km=69.41 ± 22.3 µM and Vmax=14.03 ± 2.27 nmol/(cm(2).h). Net nitrofurantoin transepithelial secretion by Caco-2 epithelia was inhibited 92% by 10 µM Ko143. Regulation of expression and function of BCRP in Caco-2 epithelial monolayers was determined after 72-h pre-exposure of the monolayers to a number of potential inducing agents. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to correlate induction of BCRP transcript and protein levels with transport activity. 72-h pre-treatment with ß-napthoflavone and rosiglitazone up-regulates BCRP mRNA and protein expression and transport of nitrofurantoin. Ko143-sensitive transepithelial secretion of the bi-substrate (MDR1/BCRP) prazosin was also increased in the presence of rosiglitazone. We conclude that nitrofurantoin may be used to unambiguously measure BCRP-mediated fluxes in Caco-2 epithelial layers. Since dynamic regulation of BCRP expression and function is retained, the Caco-2 cell-line is useful as a screen for drug-drug and drug-diet interactions mediated by BCRP.