DNA Nanoparticles That Penetrate the Human Mucus Barrier

Protective mucus coatings typically trap and rapidly remove foreign particles from the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, airways, nasopharynx, and female reproductive tract, thereby strongly limiting opportunities for controlled drug and gene delivery at mucosal surfaces. We prepared polymeric DNA nanoparticles that rapidly penetrate sputum expectorated from the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), a disease characterized by hyperviscoelastic mucus secretions. Polymeric DNA nanoparticles capable of overcoming human mucus barriers open significant opportunities for improved gene delivery at mucosal surfaces.