Conjugated linoleic acid enhances transepithelial calcium transport in human intestinal-like Caco-2 cells: An insight into molecular changes

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to enhance paracellular and transcellular Ca transport across human intestinal-like Caco-2 cell monolayers. The mechanisms of action, however, are still unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying CLA-induced stimulation of Ca transport by use of preliminary microarray data together with more detailed and comprehensive quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis. While molecular expression of junctional adhesion molecule (JAM), ZO-2, ZO-3, claudin 2 and claudin 3 were unaltered, ZO-1, occludin, and claudin 4 were all up-regulated (1.6, 1.6, 2.4-fold, respectively; P<0.001–0.01P<0.001–0.01) and claudin 1 down-regulated (2.5-fold; P<0.05P<0.05) by trans-10, cis-12 CLA, which may underpin its effects on tight-junction function and paracellular Ca transport. On the other hand, expression of key genes involved in transcellular Ca transport (CaT1, ECaC1, calbindin D9k, vitamin D receptor and PMCA) were unaffected by trans-10, cis-12 CLA. The mechanism by which CLA enhances transcellular Ca transport remains unclear.