Fig. 7.

IR-B-Caco-2 cells exhibit accelerated sucrase isomaltase expression, enhanced TJP1 protein levels and improved barrier function. IR-B-Caco-2 and empty vector controls (Vector-Caco-2) were grown on Transwell filters for 3 days (undifferentiated) or 20 days (differentiated). (A) qRT-PCR was carried out to measure the differentiation biomarker sucrase isomaltase. Data represent mean ± s.e.m. of two independent experiments performed in triplicate; *P≤0.05 versus Vector-Caco-2; unpaired t-test. (B) Western blot was carried out to measure tight junction protein TJP1 in subconfluent Vector and IR-B-Caco-2 cells. Data represent three independent experiments; *P≤0.05 versus Vector-Caco-2, unpaired t-test. (C) Basolateral translocation of fluorescein-5-(and-6)-sulfonic acid was used to assess paracellular permeability, as a measure of junction function, every 30 minutes for 3 hours in Vector versus IR-B-Caco-2 cells grown on Transwell filters for 20 days. Data represent mean ± s.e.m. for two independent experiments performed in triplicate; *P<0.05 versus Vector-Caco-2, two-way ANOVA and Sidak's multiple comparisons test.