title: The effect of complexation hydrogels on insulin transport in intestinal epithelial cell models.
abstract: A novel class of pH-sensitive complexation hydrogels composed of methacrylic acid and functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) tethers, referred to as P(MAA-g-EG) WGA, was investigated as an oral protein delivery system. The PEG tethers were functionalized with wheatgerm agglutinin (WGA), a lectin that can bind to carbohydrates in the intestinal mucosa, to improve residence time of the carrier and absorption of the drug at the delivery site. The ability of P(MAA-g-EG) WGA to improve insulin absorption was observed in two different intestinal epithelial models. In Caco-2 cells P(MAA-g-EG) WGA improved insulin permeability 9-fold as compared with an insulin only solution, which was similar to the improvement by P(MAA-g-EG). P(MAA-g-EG) and P(MAA-g-EG) WGA were also evaluated in a mucus-secreting culture that contained Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells. Insulin permeability was increased 5-fold in the presence of P(MAA-g-EG) and P(MAA-g-EG) WGA. Overall, it is clear that P(MAA-g-EG) WGA enhances insulin absorption and holds great promise as an oral insulin delivery system.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station C0400, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Kristy M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Gregory M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Peppas
mesh_terms: D000373:Agglutinins / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001692:Biological Transport; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry; D014908:Triticum / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000373:Agglutinins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D007328:Insulin; D037102:Lectins