In vitro effect of deoxynivalenol on the differentiation of human colonic cell lines Caco-2 and T84

The effects of low concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON) on structural and functional characteristics of human colonic adenocarcinoma cell lines Caco -2 and T84 were examined. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis of t he apical surfaces of Caco-2 cells revealed reduction or abnormal formation of brush borders in the presence of 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml of DON. Monolaye r integrity of Caco-2 and T84 cells was studied using cells which were cult ured on permeable membranes. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEE R) of Caco-2 cells was significantly reduced at 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml of DO N, significant increase in lucifer yellow (LY) permeability was also observ ed in these cells at 100 ng/ml of DON. The TEER of T84 cells was significan tly reduced at 100 and 200 ng/ml of DON. LY permeability significantly incr eased at 200 ng/ml of DON in T84 cells. Enzyme activities in Caco-2 cells w ere also examined. Alkaline phosphatase activity was reduced from the 6th t o 15th day of culture in the presense of 100 or 200 ng/ml of DON, whereas s ucrase-isomaltase activity was significantly decreased by adding 50 or 100 ng/ml of DON for 15 or 20 days. Protein content was attenuated only by trea tment with 200 ng/ml of DON thoughout the experimental period. The results indicate that DON interferes with structural and functional characteristics of differentiation in enterocytes at low doses.