Spatial configuration of charge and hydrophobicity tune particle transport through mucus.

ABSTRACT: Mucus is a selectively permeable hydrogel that protects wet epithelia from pathogen invasion and poses a barrier to drug delivery. Determining the parameters of a particle that promote or prevent passage through mucus is critical, as it will enable predictions about the mucosal passage of pathogens and inform the design of therapeutics. The effect of particle net charge and size on mucosal transport has been characterized using simple model particles; however, predictions of mucosal passage remain challenging. Here, we utilize rationally designed peptides to examine the integrated contributions of charge, hydrophobicity, and spatial configuration on mucosal transport. We find that net charge does not entirely predict transport. Specifically, for cationic peptides, the inclusion of hydropho

SUBMITTER: Samad T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8790233 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature