Chitosan DNA nanoparticles for oral gene delivery

Figure 3 Gastrointestinal mucus as a barrier to chitosan-DNA nanoparticles transfection. Overcoming the mucus layer for oral gene delivery can be accomplished through three key mechanisms. Mucoadhesive nanoparticles adhere to mucus through chemical interactions. Bioavailability is limited by time, because intestinal mucus has a rapid turnover and adhered nanoparticles would be sloughed off with the luminal layer of mucus[27]. Mucopenetration involves nanoparticles that are able to traverse intestinal mucus due to chemical properties. These nanoparticles do improve bioavailability even with time[27]. Mucodisruptive nanoparticles cross the mucus layer by disrupting mucus structure. This can be accomplished by various mucolytic molecules and enzymes. Bioavailability increases with this mechanism, however intestinal mucus may be affected in the long-term[27].