Lectins for gastrointestinal targeting--15 years on

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Bioadhesion using synthetic polymers was explored for enhanced mucosal drug delivery.
• Biological bioadhesion using lectins, proteins that bind sugars, was investigated.
• Tomato Lectin (TL) was studied for non-toxic drug targeting in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of Tomato Lectin (TL) for gastrointestinal drug targeting and delivery.
• To assess the in vitro and in vivo performance of TL in the GI tract.
• To explore the use of lectin-functionalized systems for enhanced drug uptake.

Main Methods:

• In vitro binding assays of TL to intestinal mucosa.
• In vivo studies to assess TL's effect on intestinal transit.
• Coupling of TL to microparticles for systemic uptake studies.
• Investigation of bioadhesive polymers interacting with endogenous lectins.

Main Results:

• TL demonstrated significant in vitro binding to the intestinal mucosa.
• In vivo studies showed TL did not substantially alter intestinal transit.
• TL-coupled microparticles achieved notable systemic uptake in animal models.
• Bioadhesive polymers interacting with endogenous lectins were also identified.

Conclusions:

• While TL exhibits promising in vitro adhesion, its in vivo transit modification is limited.
• TL-functionalized microparticles show potential for drug delivery applications.
• Lectin-based targeting to Peyer's patches and diseased colon warrants further research.
• Future GI drug delivery systems using lectins require thorough toxicity and immunogenicity evaluation.