AIM:To investigate a possible increase of basolateral expression of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)by interfering with the apical transport machinery,we studied the effect of cholesterol depletion on CEA sorting and secretion.METHODS:Cholesterol depletion was performed in polarized Caco-2 cells using Iovastatin and methyl-βcyclodextrin.RESULTS:We show that CEA is predominantly expressed and secreted at the apical surface.Reduction of the cholesterol level of the cell by 40%-50% with Iovastatin and methyl-β-cyclodextrin led to a significant change of the apical-to-basolateral transport ratio towards the basolateral membrane.CONCLUSION:As basolateral expression of CEA has been suggested to have anti-inflamatory properties,Cholesterol depletion of enterocytes might be a potential approach to influence the course of inflammatory bowel disease.