Short-chain fatty acids promote the migration of colonic epithelial cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
Repair of colonic epithelial erosions requires cell migration. This study aimed to examine the effects of physiologically relevant short-chain fatty acids on migration in colonic epithelial cell lines.


METHODS
Butyrate, propionate, and acetate were added to confluent monolayers of LIM1215 colon cancer cells after wounding. Migration in circular wounds was assessed after 24 hours.


RESULTS
The migration of LIM1215 cells was stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner by all short-chain fatty acids. In four experiments, 2 mmol/L butyrate, 8 mmol/L propionate, and 16 mmol/L acetate induced 112.6% +/- 6.7%, 98.5% +/- 5.4%, and 63.4% +/- 7.2% (mean +/- SEM) stimulation above control migration, respectively. Their effects were additive at submaximal concentrations and reversible. Butyrate also stimulated migration in two other colon cancer cell lines, Caco-2 and LIM2405. However, butyrate failed to stimulate the migration of nongastrointestinal and nonepithelial cell lines. The stimulatory effect of butyrate required protein and RNA synthesis but was independent of cell proliferation, presence of serum, beta-oxidation, transforming growth factor beta, intracellular acidification, and substratum composition.


CONCLUSIONS
In wounded in vitro models of colonic epithelium, short-chain fatty acids promote cell migration. If such an effect occurs in vivo, it would have ramifications for the biology and pathobiology of the colonic mucosa.
Wilson
A J
AJ
University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Gibson
P R
PR
D000818:Animals; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008907:Mink; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D014316:Tritium; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014316:Tritium; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D012313:RNA; D003513:Cycloheximide; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D007930:Leucine; D013936:Thymidine