A toxicological evaluation of a claudin modulator, the C-terminal fragment of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin, in mice

Pharmazie. 2011 Jul;66(7):543-6.

Abstract

Tight junctions (TJs) maintain cellular polarity between the apical and basolateral region of epithelial cells. Claudin, a tetra-transmembrane protein, plays a pivotal role in the barrier function of TJs. We previously found that a claudin modulator, the C-terminal fragment of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE), may be a promising candidate for improving the mucosal absorption of drugs. C-CPE is a fragment of enterotoxin, and putative CPE claudin receptors are highly expressed in liver and kidney. The safety and antigenicity of C-CPE must be evaluated for future clinical application. Therefore, we evaluated whether C-CPE administration in mice leads to tissue injury or production of antibodies. Intravenous administration of C-CPE at 5 mg/kg, which is a more than 25-fold higher dose than that used in a murine mucosal absorption model, did not increase biochemical markers of liver and kidney injury even after 11 injections once a week. Nasal C-CPE administration (2 mg/kg) once a week for 11 administrations also did not increase these biochemical markers, but 6 administrations of C-CPE resulted in elevation of C-CPE-specific serum IgG. These results indicate that development of a less antigenic claudin modulator will be essential for future clinical application of a C-CPE-based mucosal absorption enhancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Animals
  • Claudins / biosynthesis
  • Claudins / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enterotoxins / chemistry
  • Enterotoxins / immunology
  • Enterotoxins / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology
  • Tight Junctions / drug effects
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism

Substances

  • Claudins
  • Enterotoxins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Peptide Fragments
  • enterotoxin, Clostridium