Enterocytes receptor-mediated endocytosis

The abundant expression of a variety of transporters in Caco-2 cells also makes it attractive to apply functional genomics tools, such as cDNA arrays in order to map the expression [31] and relative abundance of these transporters [32], Also, genomic mapping of surface receptors on Caco-2 cells can be performed to study receptor-mediated endocytosis and other endocytotic pathways for larger molecules in enterocytes [33-36]. 

Figure 10.1 Pathways for intestinal absorption of macromolecular drugs, (a) Paracellular transport of macromolecules can be achieved by altering or disrupting the tight junctions that exist between cells and are only permeable to small molecules (<100 to 200 Da). (b) Adsorptive enterocytes and (c) M cells of Peyer s patches allow transcellular transport of macromolecules involving transcytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Simionescu N (1983) Cellular aspects of transcapillary exchange. Physiol Rev 63 1536-1579 Simons K, Ikonen E (1997) Functional rafts in cell membranes. Nature 387 569-572 Snoeck V, Goddeeris B, Cox E (2005) The role of enterocytes in the intestinal barrier function and antigen uptake. Microbes Infect 7 997-1004 Sugiyama Y, Kato Y (1994) Pharmacokinetic aspects of peptide delivery and targeting importance of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 20 591-614 Takano M, Yumoto R, Murakami T (2006) Expression and function of efflux transporters in the intestine. Pharmacol Therap 109 137-161... 

Considerable evidence has accumulated indicating that macromolecules and microparticulates can be taken up by the intestinal enterocytes, generally via pinocytosis. In some cases, transcytosis, i.e. passage through the cells, has been observed, with microparticles subsequently gaining access to the lymphatics of the mucosa. For example, studies have shown that receptor-mediated endocytosis via enterocytes is a major pathway for the internalization of certain antisense oligonucleotides. 

In the bloodstream, ferric iron binds tightly to circulating plasma transferrin (TF) to form diferric transferrin (FeTF). Absorption of iron into erythrocytes depends on basolateral membrane receptor-mediated endocytosis of FeTF by transferrin receptor 1 (TfR 1). FeTF binds to TfR 1 on the surface of erythroid precursors. These complexes invaginate in pits on the cell surface to form endosomes. Proton pumps within the endosomes lower pH to promote the release of iron into the cytoplasm from transferrin. Once the cycle is completed,TF and TfR 1 are recycled back to the cell surface. TF and TfR 1 play similar roles in iron absorption at the basolateral membrane of crypt enterocytes (Parkilla et al., 2001 Pietrangelo, 2002). 

The second major obstacle of the oral delivery of proteins is the low permeability of proteins in the intestinal epithelium. The uptake of proteins is mediated by passive diffusion across the enterocytes (transcellular diffusion), paracellular diffusion (through intercellular spaces) and mostly by transcytosis (facilitated by receptor-mediated endocytosis). Erodible microcapsules and nanoparticles were shown to be absorbed intact through the GI tract and have opened the pos-... 

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