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Updated: Nov 22, 2025

Heterotopic Mucosal Engrafting Procedure for Direct Drug Delivery to the Brain in Mice
Published on: July 16, 2014
Avoiding a Sticky Situation: Bypassing the Mucus Barrier for Improved Local Drug Delivery
Hannah C Zierden1, Aditya Josyula1, Rachel L Shapiro1
1Center for Nanomedicine at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Abstract:
The efficacy of drugs administered by traditional routes is limited by numerous biological barriers that preclude reaching the intended site of action. Further, full body systemic exposure leads to dose-limiting, off-target side effects. Topical formulations may provide more efficacious drug and nucleic acid delivery for diseases and conditions affecting mucosal tissues, but the mucus protecting our epithelial surfaces is a formidable barrier. Here, we describe recent advances in mucus-penetrating approaches for drug and nucleic acid delivery to the ocular surface, the female reproductive tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the airways.
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