Cell culture inserts/microporous membranes promote the proper phenotype of a variety of endothelial cells including kidney cells
, intestinal epithelial cells and others. Equally as important is the fact that these devices can be used to study transcytosis, a process discussed briefly in the cell culture lecture. What is transcytosis and why does the device described above allow one to study this process compared to a typical, plastic cell culture plate?
Transcytosis is the transfer of molecules across cells from one side to the other, a process that entails endocytosis, vesicular transfer and exocytosis, and which speeds the bulk movement of molecules through tissues.
