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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Gene Silencing Research in Silkworms with dsRNA Delivery Through Feeding Chitosan Nanoparticles
Published on: October 4, 2024
Chitosan nanoparticle antigen uptake in epithelial monolayers can predict mucosal but not systemic in vivo immune
Hannah Cole1, Donna Bryan2, Lorna Lancaster1
1School of Pharmacy, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
This study compared in vitro and in vivo antigen delivery effects of ultrapure chitosan (CS) chloride. CS nanoparticles were formulated to incorporate ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen and characterised for size, charge, OVA complexation and release. The effect of CS:OVA nanoparticles on cell viability, epithelial tight junctions and transepithelial permeation of OVA was tested on Caco-2 monolayer in vitro intestinal model. The system's ability to elicit immune responses was subsequently tested in vivo. The work confirmed that CS complexes with OVA into nano-size entities. Nanocomplexes displayed favourable delivery properties, namely OVA release and no notable cytotoxicity. CS:OVA markedly enhanced antigen delivery across Caco-2 monolayers. However, the system did not elicit notable in vivo immune responses (some mucosal response was apparent) following oral delivery. The study highlights that a clear effect on antigen permeability across epithelial monolayers in vitro may predict the in vivo mucosal but not systemic immune response following oral delivery.
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