(307) Enhancing Mucosal Diffusion of Polymeric Nanoparticles Using Novel Coating Methods
Introduction: Oral delivery of biologics fails due to poor nanoparticle (NP) transport through GI layers, where NPs optimized for stability often become entrapped in mucus, while those designed to minimize mucus interactions may fail to initiate necessary mucosal contact. Our studies show that coating negatively charged polymers with mucin can increase NP diffusion up to 21.3-fold [1], though experiments with lubricin suggest charge modification alone doesn't determine transport. This led us to systematically assess how core materials and coating conditions affect NP diffusion in mucus-like environments.
Learning Objectives:
Evaluate how mucin and other coatings affect nanoparticle surface properties and mucosal diffusion.
Study coating concentration and time effects on particle diffusion and aggregation.
Identify promising NP formulations for in vivo studies based on diffusion enhancements.
Michael DeSantis – Student, Brown University; Eric Darling – Professor, Brown University; Vera Fonseca – Research Assistant, Brown University; Hena Haque – Student, Brown University; Edith Mathiowitz – Professor, Brown University; Jiaying Yan – Student, Brown University
