A human Caco-2-based co-culture model of the inflamed intestinal mucosa for particle toxicity studies.

Unlabelled: The intestinal barrier is a complex interface of the human body, possessing the largest contact surface to nutrients and antigens and containing a major part of the immune system. It has to deal with continuous exposure to a broad mixture of essential, harmful, or useless substances and particles. In the context of plastic pollution and the ubiquitous occurrence of micro- and nanoplastics, oral exposure to such particles is of particular interest.

Uptake and molecular impact of aluminum-containing nanomaterials on human intestinal caco-2 cells.

Aluminum (Al) is one of the most common elements in the earth crust and increasingly used in food, consumer products and packaging. Its hazard potential for humans is still not completely understood. Besides the metallic form, Al also exists as mineral, including the insoluble oxide, and in soluble ionic forms.