Abstract
BackgroundTER measurements across confluent cellular monolayers provide a useful indication of TJ strength between epithelial and endothelial cells in culture. Having a reliable and accurate method of measuring cell-to-cell adhesion is critical to studies in pathophysiology and cancer metastasis. However, the use of different technical approaches to measure TER has reportedly yielded inconsistent measurements within the same cell lines.MethodsIn the current study, we compared the peak TER values for the MDCK (canine kidney) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer) epithelial cell lines using two common approaches (Chopstick and Endohm) and two types of polymer inserts (PC and PET).ResultsBoth cell lines demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the peak TERs obtained using the two different approaches. Further, the MDCK (but not the MCF-7) cells demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the peak TERs when using the same approach but different inserts.ConclusionOur study indicates the importance of using a single approach when seeking to measure and compare the TER values of cultured cell lines.
Highlights
Transepithelial resistance (TER) measurements across confluent cellular monolayers provide a useful indication of tight junction (TJ) strength between epithelial and endothelial cells in culture
We found a statistically significant difference between the values obtained using the chopstick electrodes compared to the Endohm chamber in the MadinDarby Canine Kidney cells (MDCK) and MCF-7 cell lines that formed TJs
We have demonstrated that the TER values obtained for the MDCK cells are both apparatus and insert dependent
Summary
TER measurements across confluent cellular monolayers provide a useful indication of TJ strength between epithelial and endothelial cells in culture. The use of different technical approaches to measure TER has reportedly yielded inconsistent measurements within the same cell lines. Transepithelial resistance (TER) values of cultured epithelial cell monolayers provide an indication of tight junction (TJ) strength [1, 2]. TJs are responsible for the majority of paracellular resistance in the interstitial space between epithelial cells [1, 3]. There are at least 40 different proteins found in TJs including the transmembrane proteins claudins, occludin, tricellulin and junctional adhesion molecules. Changes in the ectopic expression of claudin proteins have been reported to affect the TER of both normal and tumor cell lines [4]
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