Evaluation of the molecular mechanism of membrane-bound mucins in intestinal drug absorption.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06695
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47060:Clinical pharmacy-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science
• Principal Investigator: Kishimoto Hisanao 東京薬科大学, 薬学部, 講師 (80723600)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 樋口 慧 東京薬科大学, 薬学部, 講師 (10625304) ; 井上 勝央 東京薬科大学, 薬学部, 教授 (50315892)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 粘液層 / Mucin / Mucin‐薬物相互作用 / Mucin型糖鎖

Outline of Final Research Achievements

All mucosal-delivered drugs have to pass through the mucus layer before absorption through the epithelial membrane and into the circulatory system. Although the interaction between mucins, a heavily glycosylated glycoprotein and a major functional component of mucus, and drugs may be a key barrier hindering efficient drug absorption, there are no reports that describe the contribution of mucins to intestinal drug absorption at the molecular level. In this study, we demonstrated the importance of evaluating mucin-drug interactions in drug absorption, and the potential to enhance drug permeability across cell membranes by targeting mucin. Our data contribute to the understanding of mucin-drug interactions, and it may provide valuable information for drug development strategies.

Free Research Field

生物薬剤学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、既存の薬物吸収理論において未知とされていた薬物と粘液層との関係性について、mucin‐薬物相互作用という観点から分子論的な評価・考察を可能にした。本研究で得られた成果は、医薬品開発における腸管吸収の適正な評価法を確立する上での新規in vitro評価系の提案に寄与するだけでなく、mucinを標的とした新規吸収改善技術の開発および発展に貢献できるものと期待される。