Publications by authors named "Miki Kodaka"
Claudins are key functional and structural components of tight junctions (TJs) in epithelial cell sheets. The C-terminal fragment of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE) binds to claudin-4 and reversibly modulates intestinal TJ seals, thereby enhancing paracellular transport of solutes. However, the use of C-CPE as an absorption enhancer is limited by the molecule's immunogenicity and manufacturing cost.
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- The process of drug absorption starts with the movement of drug molecules through epithelial cell sheets, which serve as barriers between the body's interior and the external environment.
- Tight junctions (TJs) between epithelial cells prevent substances from passing freely, leading to the investigation of absorption enhancers like sodium caprate since the 1980s.
- Key proteins involved in TJs, such as occludin and claudin, were identified in the 1990s, and recent advancements include synthetic TJ-modulating peptides and other agents that enhance drug absorption effectiveness.