Changes in Liver Fatty Acid Binding Protein (LFABP) expression modify lipid metabolism and cell biology of the enterocyte.

RODRIGUEZ SAWICKI L; CÓRSICO, B

Varsovia

Congreso; International Conference on the Bioscience of Lipids (ICBL); 2011

ICBL

Long chain fatty acids (LCFA) are needed as a source of metabolic energy, membrane biogenesis, second messengers, modulation of gene expression, and are associated with cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and inflammatory processes. Lipid hydrolysis in the intestinal lumen releases great quantities of LCFA. Once inside the enterocyte, LCFA can be reversibly bound to two homologous proteins: Intestinal and Liver Fatty Acid Binding Proteins  (I- and LFABP). Classical functions proposed are as cytosolic buffers and transporters of hydrophobic ligands, but new studies position them as key components for regulatory systems. The present work was conducted to evaluate FABP´s specific roles in the lipid metabolism and cell biology of the enterocyte. For this purpose, we obtained a cellular model of Caco-2 cells with ablated expression of LFABP and analyzed the assimilation and metabolism of LCFA. Knock-down clones showed marked variations in LCFA assimilation rates and differences in oleate distribution among complex lipid species. Cell proliferation and differentiation were also slowed in the clones. In addition, the effect of LCFA in the induction of an inflammatory response in Caco-2 cells was studied, cytokines mRNA levels were increased after LCFA exposure. These results indicate that LFABP plays a specific role in the enterocyte lipid metabolism. Future studies will contribute to asses whether intestinal FABPs are also involved in inflammatory processes triggered by LCFA.