Development of a Human Intestinal Cell Permeability Model
Intestinal absorption plays a role in the toxicity of chemicals. The human Caco-2 cell line, derived from human colon epithelial cancer cells, is currently used in an in vitro model of human intestinal absorption. However, there are several limitations to this method, including long cell culture times and inability to conduct HTS. NIEHS scientists are developing computational models for chemical absorption in human intestines that would allow for screening a wide range of chemicals for potential intestinal permeability, which would assist in evaluating the toxicity potential of these chemicals. To date, a data set containing over 4,500 unique chemicals has been compiled and prepared; development of a model is planned for 2022.