Permeability Of Caco-2 Cell Monolayers Research Articles

MPA Modulates Tight Junctions' Permeability via Midkine/PI3K Pathway in Caco-2 Cells: A Possible Mechanism of Leak-Flux Diarrhea in Organ Transplanted Patients.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is prescribed to prevent allograft rejection in organ transplanted patients. However, its use is sporadically linked to leak flux diarrhea and other gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances in around 75% of patients through yet unknown mechanisms. Recently, we identified Midkine as a modulator of tight junctions (TJs) permeability in MPA treated Caco-2 monolayer. In the present study, we investigated the possible involvement of Midkine dependent PI3K pathway in alteration of TJs under MPA treatment. Caco-2 cells were grown as monolayer to develop TJs and were treated for 72 h with DMSO (control) or MPA in presence and absence of Midkine inhibitor (iMDK) or PI3K inhibitors (LY/AMG). Caco-2 monolayer integrity was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and FITC-dextran assays. Our functional assays showed that PI3K inhibitors (LY/AMG) can significantly inhibit the compromised TJs integrity of MPA-treated Caco-2 cells monolayer. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses showed a significant epigenetic activation of Midkine, PI3K, Cdx-2, and Cldn-2 genes and epigenetic repression of Cldn-1 gene after MPA treatment. The MPA-induced epigenetic alterations were further confirmed by mRNA and protein expression analysis. Collectively, our data shows that PI3K pathway as the downstream target of Midkine which in turn modulates p38MAPK and pAKT signaling to alter TJs permeability in Caco-2 cell monolayers treated with MPA. These results highlight the possible use of either Midkine or PI3K inhibitors as therapeutic agents to prevent MPA induced GI disturbances.

Nanoencapsulation of green tea catechins by electrospraying technique and its effect on controlled release and in-vitro permeability

Zein, a biocompatible, biodegradable macromolecule was employed for nanoencapsulation of green tea catechins by electrospraying technique. For this, the electrohydrodynamic behavior of zein solution was studied and the effective electrospraying concentration of zein was optimized. Later, the influence of nanoencapsulation and core-to-wall ratio on the gastrointestinal stability and permeability of green tea catechins were investigated. Among the various concentrations of zein studied (i.e. 1%–40% w/w), 5% w/w zein solution yielded spherical, monodisperse nanoparticles with mean diameter of 157 ± 36 nm. Nanoencapsulates with 1:50 core-to-wall ratio had highest encapsulation efficiency compared to 1:10 and 1:05 core-to-wall ratio samples. The nanoencapsulated catechins had significantly improved in-vitro gastrointestinal stability and Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability compared to unencapsulated catechins. Further, 1:50 and 1:10 samples possessed higher permeability of catechins compared to 1:05 nanoencapsulates. Hence, the study provides a one-step approach for production of green tea catechin nanoencapsulates with sustained release and enhanced permeability properties.

Larix laricina bark, a traditional medicine used by the Cree of Eeyou Istchee: Antioxidant constituents and in vitro permeability across Caco-2 cell monolayers

Ethnopharmacological relevanceLarix laricina, a native tree of North America, is a highly respected medicinal plant used for generations by Indigenous Peoples across its range, including the Cree of northern Québec who use the bark to treat symptoms of diabetes. This study investigates the antioxidant capacity and bioavailability of active constituents identified in L. laricina bark extracts. Materials and methods(1) Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay was employed to test antioxidant capacity of organic extracts (80% ethanol) from bark of L. laricina as well as fractions, isolated compounds, and media samples collected during permeability assays. (2) Caco-2 cell monolayer cultures were used to determine the permeability of identified antioxidants, which were quantified in basolateral media samples using liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). ResultsCrude ethanolic extract possessed strong antioxidant potential in vitro (7.1±0.3 Trolox equivalents (TE) μM/mg). Among the 16 L. laricina fractions obtained by chromatographic separation, fraction 10 (F10) showed the highest antioxidant capacity (21.8±1.7µm TE/mg). Among other identified antioxidants, the stilbene rhaponticin (isolated from F10) was the most potent (24.6±1.1µm TE/mg). Caco-2 transport studies revealed that none of the identified compounds were detectable in basolateral samples after 2-h treatment with crude extract. In monolayers treated with F10 (60% rhaponticin), small quantities of rhaponticin were increasingly detected over time in basolateral samples with an apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of 1.86×10−8cm/s (0–60min). To model potential effects on blood redox status, we evaluated the antioxidant capacity of collected basolateral samples and observed enhanced activity over time after exposure to both extract and F10 (75μg/mL) relative to control. ConclusionsBy profiling the antioxidant constituents of L. laricina bark, we identified rhaponticin as the most potent oxygen radical scavenger and observed low permeability in Caco-2 cell monolayers but an increase in basolateral antioxidant capacity.

Heterologous Expression and Delivery of Biologically Active Exendin-4 by Lactobacillus paracasei L14.

Exendin-4, a glucagon-like protein-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, is an excellent therapeutic peptide drug for type 2 diabetes due to longer lasting biological activity compared to GLP-1. This study explored the feasibility of using probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei as an oral vector for recombinant exendin-4 peptide delivery, an alternative to costly chemical synthesis and inconvenient administration by injection. L. paracasei transformed with a plasmid encoding the exendin-4 gene (L. paracasei L14/pMG76e-exendin-4) with a constitutive promotor was successfully constructed and showed efficient secretion of exendin-4. The secreted exendin-4 significantly enhanced insulin secretion of INS-1 β-cells, along with an increment in their proliferation and inhibition of their apoptosis, corresponding to the effect of GLP-1 on these cells. The transcription level of the pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 gene (PDX-1), a key transcription factor for cellular insulin synthesis and secretion, was upregulated by the treatment with secreted exendin-4, paralleling the upregulation of insulin gene expression. Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability assay showed a 34-fold increase in the transport of exendin-4 delivered by L. paracasei vs. that of free exendin-4 (control), suggesting effective facilitation of exendin-4 transport across the intestinal barrier by this delivery system. This study demonstrates that the probiotic Lactobacillus can be engineered to secrete bioactive exendin-4 and facilitate its transport through the intestinal barrier, providing a novel strategy for oral exendin-4 delivery using this lactic acid bacterium.

On Blastocystis secreted cysteine proteases: a legumain-activated cathepsin B increases paracellular permeability of intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers.

Blastocystis spp. pathogenic potential remains unclear as these anaerobic parasitic protozoa are frequently isolated from stools of both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. In silico analysis of the whole genome sequence of Blastocystis subtype 7 revealed the presence of numerous proteolytic enzymes including cysteine proteases predicted to be secreted. To assess the potential impact of proteases on intestinal cells and gut function, we focused our study on two cysteine proteases, a legumain and a cathepsin B, which were previously identified in Blastocystis subtype 7 culture supernatants. Both cysteine proteases were produced as active recombinant proteins. Activation of the recombinant legumain was shown to be autocatalytic and triggered by acidic pH, whereas proteolytic activity of the recombinant cathepsin B was only recorded after co-incubation with the legumain. We then measured the diffusion of 4-kDa FITC-labelled dextran across Caco-2 cell monolayers following exposition to either Blastocystis culture supernatants or each recombinant protease. Both Blastocystis culture supernatants and recombinant activated cathepsin B induced an increase of Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability, and this effect was significantly inhibited by E-64, a specific cysteine protease inhibitor. Our results suggest that cathepsin B might play a role in pathogenesis of Blastocystis by increasing intestinal cell permeability.

Dissolution enhancement of indomethacin-chitosan hydrochloride composite particles produced using supercritical assisted atomization

This study investigated the formation of drug-carrier composite particles via a supercritical assisted atomization (SAA) process using 50% (v/v) aqueous ethanol as a solvent, and carbon dioxide as a spraying medium. Indomethacin (IMC), a poorly water-soluble drug, was used as a model drug and chitosan hydrochloride (CH), a water-soluble carrier, was used as a carrier for composite particles. The effects of size and different CH to IMC weight ratios in the composite particles on drug dissolution rate were investigated. XRD, DSC and FTIR analyses showed that the SAA-treated IMC transformed from γ-form (as-received IMC) to the meta-stable α-form. In vitro dissolution test showed that the IMC dissolution rate was enhanced because of the transformation in crystalline form, increased drug wettability due to water-soluble CH in composite particles, and high surface area due to the decreased size of composite particles. Furthermore, the composite particles demonstrated enhanced drug permeability in Caco-2 cell monolayer. Taken together, the enhanced permeability and dissolution rate could be beneficial for the bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Absorption and Transport of Sea Cucumber Saponins from Apostichopus japonicus.

The present study is focused on the intestinal absorption of sea cucumber saponins. We determined the pharmacokinetic characteristics and bioavailability of Echinoside A and Holotoxin A1; the findings indicated that the bioavailability of Holotoxin A1 was lower than Echinoside A. We inferred that the differences in chemical structure between compounds was a factor that explained their different characteristics of transport across the intestine. In order to confirm the absorption characteristics of Echinoside A and Holotoxin A1, we examined their transport across Caco-2 cell monolayer and effective permeability by single-pass intestinal perfusion. The results of Caco-2 cell model indicate that Echinoside A is transported by passive diffusion, and not influenced by the exocytosis of P-glycoprotein (P-gp, expressed in the apical side of Caco-2 monolayers as the classic inhibitor). The intestinal perfusion also demonstrated well the absorption of Echinoside A and poor absorption of Holotoxin A1, which matched up with the result of the Caco-2 cell model. The results demonstrated our conjecture and provides fundamental information on the relationship between the chemical structure of these sea cucumber saponins and their absorption characteristics, and we believe that our findings build a foundation for the further metabolism study of sea cucumber saponins and contribute to the further clinical research of saponins.

Excretory/secretory products of adult Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta which increase the permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers are neutralised by antibodies from immune hosts

The onset of abomasal pathophysiology due to parasitism coincides with the presence of adult worms in the lumen, implicating worm excretory/secretory (ES) products acting on the surface mucosa. Caco-2 cell monolayers were grown to confluence on Transwell plates and exposed on the apical side to ES products of adult Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta. ES products of both species significantly (p<0.001) reduced transepithelial electrical resistance after 2h to 81.1±1.0% and 82.9±1.1% respectively. Immunocytochemical staining of the Caco-2 monolayers for zona occludens-1 and occludin confirmed that the tight junctions remained intact in control medium, but these proteins were internalised from disrupted junctions after exposure to ES products. The components of H. contortus ES products responsible for increased epithelial permeability were partially blocked by phage displaying single chain antibodies derived from sheep immune to field infection and enriched by panning with H. contortus ES products. Immune hosts may therefore be able to reduce the effects of worm chemicals on the gastric epithelium. Permeabilisation of the abomasal surface mucosa by worm chemicals would also explain how cells deep in the gastric glands could rapidly be affected by parasites emerging from the glands or within a day of transplantation of adult worms into naïve hosts, resulting in the pathophysiology typically caused by abomasal nematode parasitism.

Nanoemulsion based delivery system for improved bioaccessibility and Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability of green tea catechins

The strong antioxidant activities of green tea catechins are shown to exert protective effects against chronic diseases. However, poor chemical stability and low oral bioavailability limits its usage as a potent nutraceutical. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nanoencapsulation on the physicochemical stability, in-vitro bioaccessibility and epithelial permeability of green tea catechins. Soy protein stabilized nanoemulsions containing 0.3 or 0.5 wt% green tea catechins were prepared and stability under different storage conditions (4 ± 1 °C, 28 ± 2 °C, 40 ± 1 °C) was assessed for a period of 15–20 days. At refrigeration temperature, the nanoemulsion containing 10% oil and 0.5% catechins was stable against creaming, phase separation, sedimentation and changes in droplet size, pH and catechin content. There was an observed 2.78 fold increase in the bioaccessibility of major catechins in the nanoemulsified form compared to unencapsulated catechins. Further, there was a significant increase in intestinal permeability of catechins as assessed by Caco-2 cell model. The results indicate the ability of soy protein based nanoemulsions to improve the stability, bioaccessibility and permeability of green tea catechins.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 inhibits adipose tissue inflammation and intestinal permeability in mice fed a high-fat diet.

The probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has anti-obesity effects. Obesity is closely correlated with inflammation in adipose tissue, and maintaining adipose tissue in a less-inflamed state requires intestinal integrity or a barrier function to protect the intestine from the disruption that can be caused by a high-fat diet (HFD). Here, we examined the anti-inflammatory and intestinal barrier-protecting effects of LG2055 in C57BL/6 mice fed a normal-fat diet (NFD), HFD, or the HFD containing LG2055 (HFD-LG) for 21 weeks. HFD-LG intake significantly prevented HFD-induced increases in body weight, visceral fat mass, and the ratio of inflammatory-type macrophages to anti-inflammatory ones in adipose tissue. Mice fed the HFD showed higher intestinal permeability to a fluorescent dextran administered by oral administration and an elevated concentration of antibodies specific to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the blood compared with those fed the NFD, suggesting an increased penetration of the gut contents into the systemic circulation. These elevations of intestinal permeability and anti-LPS antibody levels were significantly suppressed in mice fed the HFD-LG. Moreover, treatment with LG2055 cells suppressed an increase in the cytokine-induced permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers. These results suggest that LG2055 improves the intestinal integrity, reducing the entry of inflammatory substances like LPS from the intestine, which may lead to decreased inflammation in adipose tissue.

Preclinical studies of the potent and selective nicotinic α4β2 receptor ligand VMY-2-95.

The discovery and development of small molecules that antagonize neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors may provide new ligands for evaluation in models of depression or addiction. We discovered a small molecule, VMY-2-95, a nAChR ligand with picomolar affinity and high selectivity for α4β2 receptors. In this study, we investigated its preclinical profile in regards to solubility, lipophilicity, metabolic stability, intestinal permeability, bioavailability, and drug delivery to the rat brain. Metabolic stability of VMY-2-95·2HCl was monitored on human liver microsomes, and specific activity of VMY-2-95·2HCl on substrate metabolism by CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4 was tested in a high-throughput manner. The intestinal transport of VMY-2-95·2HCl was studied through Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability. VMY-2-95·2HCl was soluble in water and chemically stable, and the apparent partition coefficient was 0.682. VMY-2-95·2HCl showed significant inhibition of CYP2C9 and 2C19, but weak or no effect on 1A2, 2D6, and 3A4. The Caco-2 cell model studies revealed that VMY-2-95·2HCl was highly permeable with efflux ratio of 1.11. VMY-2-95·2HCl achieved a maximum serum concentration of 0.56 mg/mL at 0.9 h and was orally available with a half-life of ∼9 h. Furthermore, VMY-2-95·2HCl was detected in the rat brain after 3 mg/kg oral administration and achieved a maximal brain tissue concentration of 2.3 μg/g within 60 min. Overall, the results demonstrate that VMY-2-95·2HCl has good drug like properties and can penetrate the blood–brain barrier with oral administration.

Homoharringtonine increases intestinal epithelial permeability by modulating specific claudin isoforms in Caco-2 cell monolayers

Homoharringtonine (HHT), a natural alkaloid produced by various Cephalotaxus species, has antileukemic activity in acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia. However, HHT can also induce unanticipated effects in the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhea and nausea/vomiting, but the mechanism behind these adverse effects has not been clarified. In the present study, we show that HHT affects the epithelial permeability of intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers. HHT reduced the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of Caco-2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The HHT effect was reversible and no cytotoxicity was observed at the concentrations used. HHT simultaneously increased the paracellular flux of the 4kDa and 40kDa FITC-dextrans associated with the TER reduction. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that HHT decreased the protein expression of TJ components such as claudin-3, -5, and -7. However, the transcription levels of these claudins were not repressed by HHT treatment. HHT also disturbed the cellular localization of claudin-1 and -4. These changes coincided with the reduced barrier function. Our findings suggest that HHT enhances the paracellular permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers by modulating the protein expression and localization of claudin isoforms; these actions might be responsible for the gastrointestinal effects of HHT.

Intestinal transport of TRH analogs through PepT1: the role of in silico and in vitro modeling.

The present study involves molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies, and Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability assay to investigate the effect of structural modifications on PepT1-mediated transport of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) analogs. Molecular docking of four TRH analogs was performed using a homology model of human PepT1 followed by subsequent MD simulation studies. Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability studies of four TRH analogs were performed at apical to basolateral and basolateral to apical directions. Inhibition experiments were carried out using Gly-Sar, a typical PepT1 substrate, to confirm the PepT1-mediated transport mechanism of TRH analogs. Papp of the four analogs follows the order: NP-1894 < NP-2378 < NP-1896 < NP-1895. Higher absorptive transport was observed in the case of TRH analogs, indicating the possibility of a carrier-mediated transport mechanism. Further, the significant inhibition of the uptake of Gly-Sar by TRH analogs confirmed the PepT1-mediated transport mechanism. Glide docking scores of all the four analogues were in good agreement with their transport rates, suggesting the role of substrate binding affinity in the PepT1-mediated transport of TRH analogs. MD simulation studies revealed that the polar interactions with amino acid residues present in the active site are primarily responsible for substrate binding, and a downward trend was observed with the increase in bulkiness at the N-histidyl moiety of TRH analogs.

Disruption of epithelial barrier by quorum-sensing N-3-(oxododecanoyl)-homoserine lactone is mediated by matrix metalloproteinases.

The intestinal epithelium forms a selective barrier maintained by tight junctions (TJs) and separating the luminal environment from the submucosal tissues. N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing molecules produced by gram-negative bacteria in the gut can influence homeostasis of the host intestinal epithelium. In the present study, we evaluated the regulatory mechanisms affecting the impact of two representative long- and short-chain AHLs, N-3-(oxododecanoyl)-homoserine lactone (C12-HSL) and N-butyryl homoserine lactone (C4-HSL), on barrier function of human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. Treatment with C12-HSL, but not with C4-HSL, perturbed Caco-2 barrier function; the effect was associated with decreased levels of the TJ proteins occludin and tricellulin and their delocalization from the TJs. C12-HSL also induced matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2 and MMP-3 activation via lipid raft- and protease-activated receptor (PAR)-dependent signaling. Pretreatment with lipid raft disruptors, PAR antagonists, or MMP inhibitors restored the C12-HSL-induced loss of the TJ proteins and increased permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers. These results indicate that PAR/lipid raft-dependent MMP-2 and -3 activation followed by degradation of occludin and tricellulin are involved in C12-HSL-induced alterations of epithelial paracellular barrier functions.

Interleukin 17A evoked mucosal damage is attenuated by cannabidiol and anandamide in a human colonic explant model

Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) is a cytokine linked to inflammatory bowel disease. We investigated IL-17A expression in human colonic mucosa, whether IL-17A can elicit colonic mucosal damage in a human explant model and modulate gastrointestinal epithelial permeability in cell culture. We also tested if select cannabinoid ligands, shown to be protective in colitis models could attenuate damage caused by IL-17A. In addition, the ability of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β to modulate levels of IL-17A in the explant colitis model was also explored. IL-17A incubation caused significant mucosal epithelial and crypt damage which were attenuated following hydrocortisone treatment, and also reduced following anandamide or cannabidiol incubation. IL-17A-evoked mucosal damage was also associated with an increase in matrix metalloprotease activity. However, IL-17A did not induce any significant changes in epithelial permeability in confluent Caco-2 cell monolayers over a 48h incubation period. IL-17A was located predominantly in human mucosal epithelium together with IL-17C, but both IL-17A and IL-17C were also expressed in the lamina propria and submucosa. Incubation of human colonic mucosal tissue or Caco-2 cells with pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β however did not alter IL-17A expression. These results indicate IL-17A has a widespread distribution in the human colon and the capacity to elicit mucosal damage which can be attenuated by cannabinoid ligands.

Effect of Rhamnolipids on Permeability Across Caco-2 Cell Monolayers

This report describes the effect of rhamnolipids (RLs), an amphiphilic biosurfactant produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, on the integrity and permeability across Caco-2 cell monolayers. We measured the trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and permeability of [(14)C]mannitol across Caco-2 cell monolayers upon incubation with 0.01-5.0%v/v RLs as a function of incubation time (30, 60, 90, and 120min). We also studied the recovery of RL-treated Caco-2 cell monolayers upon incubation with Kaempferol, which is a natural flavonoid that promotes the assembly of the tight junctions. TEER of Caco-2 cell monolayers incubated with 0.01-5.0%v/v RLs solution dropped to 80-28% of that of untreated cells. Decline in TEER was associated with an increase in [(14)C]mannitol permeability as a function of RLs concentration and incubation time with Caco-2 cells. Incubation of RLs-treated Caco-2 cell monolayers with normal culture medium for 48h did not restore barrier integrity. Whereas, incubation of a RLs-treated Caco-2 cells with culture medium containing Kaempferol for 24h restored barrier function indicated by the higher TEER and lower [(14)C]mannitol permeability values. These results show the ability of RLs to modulate the integrity and permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion, which suggest their potential to function as a non-toxic permeation enhancer.

Cannabinoid CB2 receptor activation attenuates cytokine-evoked mucosal damage in a human colonic explant model without changing epithelial permeability

Cannabinoid receptor activation is protective in animal colitis models. We sought to investigate if cannabinoids attenuated colitis-like tissue damage in human colonic specimens, with the hypothesis that cannabinoids would be protective in a cytokine-driven model of human colonic mucosal damage. Healthy human colonic mucosa was incubated with pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β to elicit colitis-like tissue damage. The cytokine-driven increase in scored crypt and mucosal damage and lymphocyte density was attenuated with concomitant hydrocortisone pretreatment. The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) receptor-selective agonist JWH-015 significantly reduced colitis scores following cytokine incubation, as evidenced by a reduction in mucosal crypt and luminal epithelial damage and lymphocyte density in the lamina propria. The effect of JWH-015 was reversed in the presence of the CB2 receptor inverse agonist JTE-907. Anandamide was also protective in the cytokine-incubated explant colitis model in a manner reversible with JTE-907, while CB1 receptor agonism with ACEA was without effect. TNF-α and IL-1β together evoked an increase in paracellular epithelial permeability in Caco-2 cell monolayers over 48h of incubation. However, neither CB2 nor CB1 receptor activation altered the cytokine-evoked increase in permeability. These findings support a discrete role for CB2 receptors in the attenuation of detrimental pro-inflammatory cytokine-mediated mucosal damage in the human colon without directly affecting mucosal epithelial barrier function.

Effect of Cationic Cyclopeptides on Transdermal and Transmembrane Delivery of Insulin

Poor permeability of stratum corneum limits the transportation of insulin across the skin. A transdermal peptide has exhibited enhancement activity on insulin transdermal delivery. A series of cationic cyclopeptides based on the sequence of TD-1 (ACSSSPSKHCG) were designed by the partial arginine or lysine scan method. Among these peptides, TD-34 (ACSSKKSKHCG) with bis-substituted lysine in N-5 and N-6 showed the best transdermal enhancement activity, with the blood glucose level lowered to about 26% of initial after administrating 2.1 IU insulin with 0.5 μmol of TD-34 in 100 μL of saline for 8 h to diabetic rats in vivo. In addition, the transmembrane permeability in Caco-2 cell monolayers (BL→AP) exhibited preferable correlation with percutaneous absorption of insulin (R(2) = 0.73). It can be concluded that the appropriate content and position of cationic group in cyclopeptides may improve percutaneous absorption and transmembrane ability of insulin, and Caco-2 cell monolayers (BL→AP) might be applied to predict the percutaneous absorption of insulin chaperoned by a transdermal peptide in vivo.

Shape Effect in the Design of Nanowire-Coated Microparticles as Transepithelial Drug Delivery Devices

While the oral drug delivery route has traditionally been the most popular among patients, it is estimated that 90% of therapeutic compounds possess oral bioavailability limitations. Thus, the development of novel drug carriers for more effective oral delivery of therapeutics is an important goal. Composite particles made by growing nanoscopic silicon wires from the surface of narrowly dispersed, microsized silica beads were previously shown to be able to (a) adhere well onto the epithelium by interdigitating their nanowires with the apical microvilli and (b) increase the permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers with respect to small organic molecules in direct proportion to their concentration. A comparison between the effects of spherical and planar particle morphologies on the permeability of the epithelial cell layer in vitro and in vivo presented the subject of this study. Owing to their larger surface area, the planar particles exhibited a higher drug-loading efficiency than their spherical counterparts, while simultaneously increasing the transepithelial permeation of a moderately sized model drug, insulin. The insulin elution profile for planar nanowire-coated particles displayed a continual increase in the cumulative amount of the released drug, approaching a constant release rate for a 1-4 h period of the elution time. An immunohistochemical study confirmed the ability of planar silica particles coated with nanowires to loosen the tight junction of the epithelial cells to a greater extent than the spherical particles did, thus, enabling a more facile transport of the drug across the epithelium. Transepithelial permeability tests conducted for model drugs ranging in size from 0.4 to 150 kDa yielded three categories of molecules depending on their permeation propensities. Insulin belonged to the category of molecules deliverable across the epithelium only with the assistance of nanowire-coated particles. Other groups of drugs, smaller and bigger, respectively, either did not need the carrier to permeate the epithelium or were not able to cross it even with the support from the nanowire-coated particles. Bioavailability of insulin orally administered to rabbits was also found to be increased when delivered in conjunction with the nanowire-coated planar particles.

PEGylated silicon nanowire coated silica microparticles for drug delivery across intestinal epithelium

Composite particles made by growing nanoscopic silicon wires from the surface of monodispersed, microsized silica beads were tested in this study for their ability to affect the integrity and permeability of an epithelial cell layer. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is known to sterically stabilize particles and prevent protein binding; as such, it is a routine way to impart in vivo longevity to drug carriers. The effect of the silica beads, both with and without silicon nanowires and PEG, on the disruption of the tight junctions in Caco-2 cells was evaluated by means of: (a) analysis of the localization of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-1 and f-actin; (b) measurements of trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER); (c) real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the expression of PKC-α and PKC-z, which regulate the fluidity of cell membranes, and RhoA and Rac1, which are mainly involved in mechanotransduction processes; and (d) drug permeability experiments with fluorescein-sodium. The results have shown that Si-nanowire-coated silica microparticles added to Caco-2 cells in culture lead to alterations in tight junction permeability and the localization of ZO-1 and f-actin, as well as to decreased width of ZO-1 and claudin-1 at the tight junction and increased expression of PKC transcripts. Si-nanowire-coated silica microparticles increased the permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers to fluorescein-sodium in proportion to their amount. Effects indicative of loosening the Caco-2 cell monolayers and increasing their permeability were less pronounced for PEGylated particles, owing to their greater supposed inertness in comparison with the non-functionalized beads and nanowires. The analyzed Si-nanowire-coated silica microparticles have thus been shown to affect membrane barrier integrity in vitro, suggesting the possibility of using nanostructured microparticles to enhance drug permeability through the intestinal epithelium in vivo.