TEER

What are the Benefits of TEER Measurement?

Adrienne L. Watson, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer, World Precision Instruments
 

Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) is a widely used technique in the life sciences fields and therapeutic development. It measures the electrical resistance across a cell monolayer, providing information about the integrity and functionality of epithelial barriers. TEER has proven to be a valuable tool in various fields, including drug absorption studies, tissue engineering, and disease modeling. This article aims to explore the benefits of TEER and its applications in different research areas.


Assessing Epithelial Barrier Function

TEER allows researchers to evaluate the integrity and functionality of endothelial and epithelial barriers, such as the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and blood-brain barriers. By measuring the resistance across these barriers electrically, TEER provides quantitative data on the tightness and permeability of these barriers. This information is crucial for understanding drug absorption, transport mechanisms, and the effects of various compounds on barrier function.


Drug Absorption Studies

TEER is extensively used in drug absorption studies to assess the permeability of drugs across tissue barriers. By measuring TEER before and after drug exposure, researchers can determine the impact of drugs on barrier
integrity and evaluate their potential for absorption into a given tissue. This information aids in drug formulation, optimization, and predicting drug bioavailability.


Tissue Engineering and Cell Culture

TEER is a valuable tool in tissue engineering and cell culture studies. It helps researchers assess the formation and functionality of epithelial cell layers, mimicking in vivo conditions. TEER measurements can guide the optimization of culture conditions, scaffold design, and cell differentiation protocols. Additionally, TEER can be used to monitor the barrier function of tissue-engineered constructs over time, providing insights into their long-term viability and functionality.


Disease Modeling

TEER is an invaluable tool for disease modeling, particularly for studying disorders affecting endothelial and epithelial barriers tissues. Researchers can use TEER to investigate the impact of diseases, pathogens, or toxins on barrier integrity and function. This enables a better understanding of disease mechanisms, identification of potential therapeutic targets, and evaluation of drug efficacy in disease models.


Quality Control in Cell-Based Assays and Cell Therapies

TEER serves as a quality control measure in cell-based assays involving endothelial and epithelial cells. It ensures the consistency and reliability of experimental results by confirming the formation of tight junctions and functional epithelial barriers. TEER measurements can help identify potential issues with cell culture conditions, cell quality, or experimental protocols, ensuring the validity of research findings. Furthermore, TEER is now being implemented as a quantitative quality control measure for certain cell therapies.
 
Transepithelial Electrical Resistance is a powerful technique that provides valuable insights into the integrity and functionality of cell and tissue barriers. Its applications span various research areas, including drug absorption studies, tissue engineering, disease modeling, and quality control in cell-based assays. By measuring TEER, researchers can assess barrier function, optimize drug formulations, evaluate tissue-engineered constructs, and gain a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms. TEER continues to be an essential tool in biomedical research, contributing to advancements in drug development, tissue engineering, and disease treatment strategies.


 
References:

  1. Srinivasan B, et al. (2015). TEER measurement techniques for in vitro barrier model systems. Journal of Laboratory Automation, 20(2), 107-126.
  2. Artursson P, et al. (2001). Epithelial transport mechanisms for drugs in cell culture. Pharmaceutical Research, 18(11), 1391-1400.
  3. Hsu SH, et al. (2013). Transepithelial/endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement and applications for microfluidic body-on-a-chip devices. Journal of Laboratory Automation, 18(6), 429-442.
  4. Gumbleton M, et al. (1997). Transepithelial electrical resistance and the assessment of drug permeability. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 23(1-3), 89-121.


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