A human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) influences cell proliferation in transformed human intestinal cells (CaCo‐2Bbe & HT‐29)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the time course of impact of a model HMO on proliferation and differentiation in HT‐29 and CaCo‐2Bbe cells. Pre‐confluent HT‐29, pre‐confluent Caco‐2Bbe, confluent Caco‐2Bbe, and post‐confluent Caco‐2Bbe cells were used to model various stages of cell kinetics and differentiation along the crypt‐villus axis. Cells were randomized to 1 of 5 treatments: HMO at 0, 100, 200 or 400 mg/L or control (carbohydrate) for 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Dependent variables were cell proliferation via BrdU and cellular differentiation via alkaline phosphatase (AP). Compared to control, HMO decreased cell proliferation in pre‐confluent CaCo‐2Bbe at 72 hrs (p< 0.01) and pre‐confluent HT‐29 cells at 48 hrs (p<0.05) and 72 hrs (p<0.01). AP activity increased over time of incubation and was highest in post‐confluent CaCo‐2Bbe cells (p<0.01). AP activity was not significantly different among the treatment groups at any time point. A 72 hr incubation time was identified as the most appropriate to measure treatment effects on cell proliferation and differentiation. The HMO decreases cell proliferation in pre‐confluent states but the impact on cell differentiation is less clear. These results demonstrate that HMO influences growth related characteristics in transformed human intestinal cells, which suggests that HMO may have a role in promoting maturation of the neonatal gut.Research funded by Abbott Nutrition.