Cell autonomous and non-autonomous interactions of a western-style diet and the vitamin D receptor in intestinal homeostasis and tumorigenesis. Mus musculus

These data suggest that co-culture with macrophages increases expression of NDRG-1 in epithelial cell lines. The finding is confirmed in 2 human epithelial cell lines, and in tissue derived from mice genetically and dietetically altered to increase macrophage infiltration of the small and large intestinal epithelium. NDRG1 is identified as a potential mediator of macrophage effects on tumorigenesis in the large and small intestine. Array data is part of a larger study involving the effects of Vitamin D, in concert with macrophages, on intestinal homeostasis and tumorigenesis. Overall design: Cells from mouse epithelial cell line CT26 were cultured either alone, or with RAW macrophages in a system which allowed no physical contact but exchange of soluble factors between the cell types. The experiment was peformed twice.