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Nanoparticle Uptake and Crossing by Human In Vitro Models of Intestinal Barriers: A Scoping Review
Summary
This review rounds up what scientists have learned from lab-grown models of the human gut lining, which are used to study how tiny particles, including nanoplastics, metal particles, and fibers we might swallow from food or water, get absorbed into our bodies. The takeaway is that newer, more realistic gut models (which include mucus and different cell types, unlike older simpler versions) are giving us better insight into whether these particles cross into our bloodstream and how they might affect gut health. This matters because as microplastics and nanoparticles become more common in our food and environment, understanding how our intestines handle them is key to figuring out any potential health risks.
The Caco-2 in vitro model of the intestinal barrier is a well-established system for the investigation of the intestinal fate of orally ingested chemicals and drugs, and it has been used for over ten years by pharmaceutical industries as a model for absorption in preclinical studies. The Caco-2 model shows a fair correlation with in vivo drug absorption, though some inherent biases remain unresolved. Its main limitation lies in the lack of structural complexity, as it does not replicate the diverse cell types and mucus layer present in the human intestinal epithelium. Consequently, the development of advanced in vitro models of the intestinal barrier, that more structurally resemble the human intestinal epithelium physiology, has increased the potential applications of these models. Recently, Caco-2-based advanced intestinal models have proven effective in predicting nanomaterial uptake and transport across the intestinal barrier. The aim of this review is to provide a state-of-the-art of human in vitro intestinal barrier models for the study of translocation/uptake of nanoparticles relevant for oral exposure, including inorganic nanomaterials, micro/nano plastic, and fiber nanomaterials. The main effects of the above-mentioned nanomaterials on the intestinal barrier are also reported.