Opening of Epithelial Tight Junctions and Enhancement of Paracellular Permeation by Chitosan: Microscopic, Ultrastructural, and Computed-Tomographic Observations

• Published in: Molecular pharmaceutics Vol. 9; no. 5; pp. 1271 - 1279
• Main Authors: Sonaje, Kiran, Chuang, Er-Yuan, Lin, Kun-Ju, Yen, Tzu-Chen, Su, Fang-Yi, Tseng, Michael T, Sung, Hsing-Wen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 07.05.2012
• Subjects: Caco-2 Cells; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Chitosan - chemistry; Chitosan - metabolism; Epithelium - metabolism; Humans; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism; Tight Junctions - metabolism; Tight Junctions - ultrastructure; computed tomography; electron microscopy; intestinal absorption; protein delivery; paracellular permeability

This study investigates the effects of chitosan (CS) on the opening of epithelial tight junctions (TJs) and paracellular transport at microscopic, ultrastructural, and computed-tomographic levels in Caco-2 cell monolayers and animal models. Using immunofluorescence staining, CS treatment was observe...