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Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers
Published on: October 17, 2013
The lectin-cell interaction and its implications to intestinal lectin-mediated drug delivery
Franz Gabor1, Elisabeth Bogner, Andrea Weissenboeck
1Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. franz.gabor@univie.ac.at
Abstract:
Based on the fact that oligosaccharides encode biological information, the biorecognition between lectinised drug delivery systems and glycosylated structures in the intestine can be exploited for improved peroral therapy. Basic research revealed that some lectins can mediate mucoadhesion, cytoadhesion, and cytoinvasion of drugs. Entering the vesicular pathway by receptor mediated endocytosis, part of the conjugated drug is accumulated within the lysosomes. Additionally, part of the drug is supposed to be transported across the epithelium. Moreover, factors probably adversely influencing feasibility of the concept such as toxicity, immunogenicity, and intestinal stability of plant lectins are discussed. As exemplified by lectin-grafted prodrug and carrier systems, this strategy is expected to improve absorption and probably bioavailability of poorly absorbable drugs, peptides and proteins as well as therapeutic DNA.
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