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Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
A novel strategy for a drug delivery system using a claudin modulator
Masuo Kondoh1, Azusa Takahashi, Makiko Fujii
1Department of Bio-Functional Molecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan. masuo@phs.osaka-u.ac.jp
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|September 2, 2006
Summary
Claudins, proteins in tight junctions, show potential as drug delivery targets. The C-terminal fragment of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE) enhances absorption by interacting with claudin-4, offering a novel paracellular drug delivery approach.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- High-throughput drug discovery yields effective candidates but lacks suitable delivery systems.
- Tight junctions (TJs) in tissues regulate permeability, with claudins being key transmembrane proteins responsible for TJ function.
- The 24 claudin family members exhibit diverse expression profiles and barrier functions, suggesting potential as drug delivery targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore claudins as a novel target for drug delivery systems.
- To investigate the potential of claudin modulation for enhancing drug absorption via the paracellular route.
Main Methods:
- Review of research on claudin modulators.
- Examination of the interaction between C-terminal fragment of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE) and claudin-4.
- Assessment of C-CPE's absorption-enhancing activity.
Main Results:
- C-CPE demonstrated potent absorption-enhancing activity, significantly exceeding that of existing enhancers.
- The absorption enhancement was attributed to the interaction between C-CPE and claudin-4.
- Claudin-4 was identified as a key mediator in C-CPE's enhancing effect.
Conclusions:
- Claudins represent a promising novel target for developing advanced drug delivery systems.
- C-CPE's interaction with claudin-4 offers a potential strategy for paracellular drug delivery.
- Further research into the claudin family could unlock new avenues for therapeutic delivery.
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