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Polymeric Films for the Encapsulation, Storage, and Tunable Release of Therapeutic Microbes
Kunyu Qiu1, Isabella Young1, Blaide M Woodburn2
1Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
Abstract:
Microbe-based therapeutics (MBTs) are an emerging therapeutic modality for treating gastrointestinal infections and inflammatory bowel diseases. Current formulations for oral delivery of MBTs use capsules to achieve safe gastric transit, but oral formulations that control the spatiotemporal concentration of MBTs are yet to be developed, despite well-established connections between all therapeutics and their location, concentration, and distribution at sites of action. The development of a multi-functional polymer-based encapsulation system to formulate MBTs for enhanced storage and delivery through formulation of a model MBT, Lactobacillus casei ATCC393, is reported here. This approach enables the additive inclusion of excipients and polymers to grant specific functions, toward the development of a modular MBT platform. Through addition of established excipients, the formulation provides long-term storage of the encapsulated MBT. By adding higher molecular weight polymers, the release kinetics of the encapsulated MBTs can be modified. The inclusion of a mucoadhesive polymer significantly increases the adhesion force between the formulation and the intestinal tissue. Together, mucoadhesive and sustained release properties can be used to modulate the spatiotemporal concentration of MBTs. The formulation is compatible with standard oral capsules, thus maintaining existing clinical advantages of oral capsules while providing new functions from film encapsulation.
Insights
This study introduces a novel polymer-based encapsulation system for microbe-based therapeutics (MBTs). This platform enhances MBT storage and enables controlled spatiotemporal delivery for improved gastrointestinal treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Microbe-based therapeutics (MBTs) show promise for gastrointestinal infections and inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Current oral MBT delivery relies on capsules, lacking control over spatiotemporal concentration at the site of action.
- Optimizing therapeutic location, concentration, and distribution is crucial for efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multi-functional polymer-based encapsulation system for enhanced storage and controlled delivery of MBTs.
- To create a modular MBT platform allowing for additive functionalization.
- To investigate spatiotemporal control of MBTs through formulation.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a model MBT, Lactobacillus casei ATCC393, using a polymer-based encapsulation system.
- Incorporation of excipients for long-term storage and higher molecular weight polymers for modified release kinetics.
- Inclusion of a mucoadhesive polymer to enhance adhesion to intestinal tissue.
Main Results:
- The developed formulation provides long-term storage for encapsulated MBTs.
- Release kinetics of MBTs can be modulated by incorporating specific polymers.
- Mucoadhesive properties significantly increase formulation adhesion to intestinal tissue.
- Combined mucoadhesive and sustained release properties allow modulation of MBT spatiotemporal concentration.
Conclusions:
- The polymer-based encapsulation system offers enhanced storage and controlled delivery of MBTs.
- This modular platform enables tunable release kinetics and improved tissue adhesion.
- The formulation is compatible with existing oral capsules, enhancing current delivery advantages.
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