Actinidin, a protease from kiwifruit, induces changes in morphology and adhesion of T84 intestinal epithelial cells

► Actinidin is a cysteine protease from kiwifruit with allergenic properties. ► We investigated if actinidin induces changes in morphology and adhesion of T84 cells. ► Actinidin led to cell rounding and desquamation of the T84 epithelial monolayer. ► The observed effects were protease-, time- and concentration-dependant. ► Viability of T84 epithelial cells was not compromised upon actinidin treatment.