A human colonic tumor cell line that maintains vectorial electrolyte transport.

A human colonic epithelial cell line, T84, derived from a colonic carcinoma, has been examined both morphologically and functionally. The cells grew to confluence as a monolayer with the basolateral membrane attached to the surface of the culture dish and a microvillus-studded apical membrane facing the media. Tight junctions and desmosomes were demonstrated between adjacent cells. Confluent monolayer cultures conducted vectorial electrolyte transport that could be altered by a variety of secretagogues and antisecretagogues similar to isolated intestinal tissues. This cell line will serve as an excellent model system for the study of electrolyte transport processes and their regulation by peptide hormones and neurotransmitters.