
Andromeda Nauli
California Northstate University, USA
Title: Characterization of the newly developed in vitro chylomicron assay and its potential applications
Biography
Biography: Andromeda Nauli
Abstract
The small intestine absorbs lipophilic molecules and transports them in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. We recently developed a cell-based model capable of producing these lipoproteins . The secreted lipoproteins, namely chylomicrons and very low-density lipoproteins, were isolated by NaCl gradient ultracentrifugation . Their triglycerides, apolipoprotein B , and particle siz e distribution were subsequently analyzed by enzymatic assay, ELISA/Western blot, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Our analysis showed that 21% of the total number of secreted lipoproteins were chylomicrons. Mos t of the chylomicrons had a diameter of 80-200 nm, and they contained both apolipoprotein B-48 and B-100. In addition, we were able to utilize lentivirus expression system, which is more effective than the regular transfection methods, in upregulating gene expression. Our newly developed model/assay can potentially be used to study dietary fat absorption, chylomic ron biogenesis, oral lipophilic drug bioavailability , and intestinal transport of lipophilic molecules