Microparticle transport in the human intestinal M cell model

The purpose of this study was to construct a human M cell model to evaluate the transport of polystyrene and albumin microparticles via this model. The integrity of the M cell model was evaluated by determining the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and the alkaline phosphate activity was determined as an indicator of the presence of M-cell-like cells in the coculture. Both Fluoresbrite microparticles and albumin microparticles were transported by both Caco-2 monoculture and M cell models. The albumin microparticles showed a significantly greater transport via the M-cell-like cells compared to Caco-2 cells monoculture (p < 0.05). The coculture showed comparable TEER and reduction of 15-36% of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity compared to the Caco-2 cell monoculture. This human M cell model was successfully constructed using 3 and 8 mu m transwell inserts and it will serve as a useful tool in formulations screening and optimization of microparticle for oral vaccine delivery.