Work

Controlled Surface Modification with Poly(ethylene)glycol Enhances Diffusion of PLGA Nanoparticles in Human Cervical Mucus

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: Drug delivery to mucosal epithelia is severely limited by the mucus gel, which is a physical diffusion barrier as well as an enzymatic barrier in some sites. Loading of drug into polymer particles can protect drugs from degradation and enhance their stability. To improve efficacy of nanoparticulate drug carriers, it has been speculated that polymers such as poly(ethylene)glycol (PEG) incorporated on the particle surface will enhance transport in mucus. In the present study, we demonstrate the direct influence of PEG on surface properties of poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (d = 170 +/- 57 nm). PEG of various molecular weights (MW = 2, 5, 10 kDa) were incorporated at a range of densities from 5-100% on the particle surface. Our results indicate PEG addition improves dispersion, neutralize charge, and enhance particle diffusion in cervical mucus in a manner strongly dependent on polymer MW and density. Diffusion of PEGylated particles was 3-10x higher than that of unmodified PLGA particles. These findings improve the understanding of, and confirm a possible direction for, the rational design of effective carriers for mucosal drug/vaccine delivery.

Source: Molecular Pharmaceutics

DOI: 10.1021/mp8001254

Authors: Yen Cu, W. Mark Saltzman

Institution: Yale University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Subfield: Pharmaceutical Science

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering