Mechanisms for the interaction of the milk fat globule membrane with the plasma membrane of gut epithelial cells

• Published in: Food research international 2023-11, Vol.173, p.113330-113330, Article 113330
• Main Authors: Martínez-Sánchez, Victoria, Visitación Calvo, M., Viera, I., Girón-Calle, J., Fontecha, J., Pérez-Gálvez, Antonio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Caco-2; Cellular membrane; Fluorescence; Fusion; Microscopy; Milk fat globule membrane; Milk lipids
• ISSN: 0963-9969; 1873-7145
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113330

[Display omitted] The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) provides infants and adults with several health benefits. These are not derived solely from its unique composition, but also from arrangement of lipids in the MFGM that, in the case of newborns, could reach the intestine partially intact. Fluorochromes associated with lipid derivatives were used to prove a fusion process between the MFGM and the cellular membrane of differentiated Caco-2 cells. To explore the mechanism of this interaction, incubations of MFGM with Caco-2 cells were carried out in the presence of fusogenic agents or compounds that block other MFGM interaction pathways with cells. Confocal fluorescence microscopy provided visual evidence of the fusion process. Lastly, determination on the lipid profile of cells after their interaction with MFGM indicated a metabolic rearrangement of lipids leading to accumulation of triacylglycerols.