Evaluation of Hybrid Vesicles in an Intestinal Cell Model Based on Structured Paper Chips

Biomacromolecules. 2021 Sep 13;22(9):3860-3872. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00686. Epub 2021 Aug 23.

Abstract

Cell culture-based intestinal models are important to evaluate nanoformulations intended for oral drug delivery. We report the use of a floating structured paper chip as a scaffold for Caco-2 cells and HT29-MTX-E12 cells that are two established cell types used in intestinal cell models. The formation of cell monolayers for both mono- and cocultures in the paper chip are confirmed and the level of formed cell-cell junctions is evaluated. Further, cocultures show first mucus formation between 6-10 days with the mucus becoming more pronounced after 19 days. Hybrid vesicles (HVs) made from phospholipids and the amphiphilic block copolymer poly(cholesteryl methacrylate)-block-poly(2-carboxyethyl acrylate) in different ratios are used as a representative soft nanoparticle to assess their mucopenetration ability in paper chip-based cell cultures. The HV assembly is characterized, and it is illustrated that these HVs cross the mucus layer and are found intracellularly within 3 h when the cells are grown in the paper chips. Taken together, the moist three-dimensional cellulose environment of structured paper chips offers an interesting cell culture-based intestinal model that can be further integrated with fluidic systems or online read-out opportunities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Caco-2 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa*
  • Intestines*
  • Mucus