Marušić M, et al. New Biotechnology, 2023, 30(5), 507-515.
N-Decyl-beta-D-maltopyranoside (MP C10) has been shown to enhance protein permeability in studies using the Caco-2 cell model. This case study explores its efficacy in facilitating the transepithelial transport of proteins, particularly erythropoietin, to model oral delivery of protein biopharmaceuticals.
Methods:
Four unrelated proteins were selected to test the permeability of Caco-2 monolayers. The proteins' ability to cross the epithelial model was evaluated despite their size, and their apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) were measured. Protein stability over a three-hour exposure to Caco-2 cells was also confirmed. Additionally, a cell-free setup was used to determine the upper limit of protein permeability.
Results:
All tested proteins exhibited very low Papp values of around 4 × 10-10 cm/s, indicating minimal permeability. However, when MP C10 was introduced as an epithelium permeability enhancer, the Papp values increased dose-dependently up to approximately 1 × 10-7 cm/s, approaching the permeability level observed in the cell-free setup. This significant enhancement suggests the involvement of the paracellular route in protein transport.
Conclusion:
The results indicate that the Caco-2 model is a suitable tool for in vitro assessment of enhanced protein permeability. The observed enhancement by MP C10, combined with the effect of specific route permeators, underscores the potential of this model for studying oral delivery of protein biopharmaceuticals.
MP C10 significantly enhances protein permeability in the Caco-2 model, making it a valuable agent for studying the oral delivery potential of protein-based drugs.