Effect of Rhamnolipids on Permeability Across Caco-2 Cell Monolayers

Abstract

This report describes the effect of rhamnolipids (RLs), an amphiphilic biosurfactant produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, on the integrity and permeability across Caco-2 cell monolayers. We measured the trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and permeability of [(14)C]mannitol across Caco-2 cell monolayers upon incubation with 0.01-5.0%v/v RLs as a function of incubation time (30, 60, 90, and 120min). We also studied the recovery of RL-treated Caco-2 cell monolayers upon incubation with Kaempferol, which is a natural flavonoid that promotes the assembly of the tight junctions. TEER of Caco-2 cell monolayers incubated with 0.01-5.0%v/v RLs solution dropped to 80-28% of that of untreated cells. Decline in TEER was associated with an increase in [(14)C]mannitol permeability as a function of RLs concentration and incubation time with Caco-2 cells. Incubation of RLs-treated Caco-2 cell monolayers with normal culture medium for 48h did not restore barrier integrity. Whereas, incubation of a RLs-treated Caco-2 cells with culture medium containing Kaempferol for 24h restored barrier function indicated by the higher TEER and lower [(14)C]mannitol permeability values. These results show the ability of RLs to modulate the integrity and permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion, which suggest their potential to function as a non-toxic permeation enhancer.