Isolation and characterisation of clones from the Caco-2 cell line displaying increased taurocholic acid transport

Abstract

The Caco-2 cell line has been cloned by the limiting dilution technique. Clones and reclones have been tested for growth characteristics, transepithelial electrical resistance, ability to transport taurocholic acid specifically and morphological homogeneity. Although clones have similar growth patterns to the parental population they display a variety of electrophysiological, biochemical and morphological characteristics. One clone, clone 40, has been characterised in detail and shown to transport significantly higher amounts of taurocholic acid. Moreover, this clone displays morphological homogeneity and is stable with respect to this parameter over an extended time period.