Bioadhesive poly(methyl methacrylate) microdevices for controlled drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Oral protein and peptide drug delivery is challenging due to gastrointestinal degradation and poor absorption.
• Bioadhesive delivery systems offer a strategy to protect drugs and prolong their residence time in the GI tract.
• Microfabrication allows for precise control over drug delivery vehicle properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer bioadhesive properties into microfabricated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microdevices.
• To enhance oral drug delivery of proteins and peptides.
• To investigate the in vitro bioadhesive characteristics of lectin-modified microdevices.

Main Methods:

• Microfabrication of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microdevices.
• Chemical modification of PMMA surfaces via aminolysis to create amine-terminated surfaces.
• Covalent attachment of avidin followed by incubation with biotinylated lectins.
• In vitro assessment of bioadhesive properties.

Main Results:

• Successfully modified PMMA microdevices with lectins, imparting bioadhesive properties.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of using lectin conjugation to target gastrointestinal cells.
• Established a method for creating functionalized microdevices for enhanced drug delivery.

Conclusions:

• Lectin-modified PMMA microdevices represent a promising approach for improving oral protein and peptide delivery.
• The bioadhesive properties enhance drug localization and contact with intestinal cells.
• This microfabrication strategy offers tailored solutions for challenging drug delivery applications.