Caco-2 cells are derived from which tissue?

Caco-2 cells are derived from which tissue?

• A. Human colon carcinoma cells
• B. Human liver hepatocytes
• C. Human gastric mucosa cells
• D. Human brain endothelial cells

Answer: (A)

Caco-2 cells come from human colon carcinoma tissue. This origin is why they are used as an intestinal epithelium model: when cultured to confluence, they spontaneously differentiate into polarized enterocyte-like cells with microvilli and tight junctions, expressing enzymes and transporters typical of the intestinal lining. This makes them a standard in vitro system for studying oral drug absorption and transepithelial permeability. They are not derived from liver hepatocytes, gastric mucosa, or brain endothelial cells, which correspond to other tissue models.

Caco-2 cells come from human colon carcinoma tissue. This origin is why they are used as an intestinal epithelium model: when cultured to confluence, they spontaneously differentiate into polarized enterocyte-like cells with microvilli and tight junctions, expressing enzymes and transporters typical of the intestinal lining. This makes them a standard in vitro system for studying oral drug absorption and transepithelial permeability. They are not derived from liver hepatocytes, gastric mucosa, or brain endothelial cells, which correspond to other tissue models.