Cell Culture Models of Biological Barriers : In Vitro Test Systems for Drug Absorption and Delivery

Contents vii 16 Cell cultures of the retinal pigment epithelium to model the blood-retinal barrier for retinal drug and gene delivery TÜRKAN ELDEM, YUSUF DURLU, BORA ELDEM AND MERAL ÖZGÜÇ 17 Human skin and skin equivalents to study dermal penetration and permeation HEIKE WAGNER, NADIAL ZGHOUL, CLAUS-MICHAEL LEHR AND ULRICH F. SCHÄFER 18 In vitro models of the human buccal epithelium: the TR146 cell culture model and the porcine in vitro model HANNE MØRCK NIELSEN 19 Drug transport across the blood-brain barrier -a molecular and functional perspective Over the past ten years several sophisticated in vitro test systems based on epithelial cell cultures have been introduced in the field of drug delivery. These models have been found to be very useful in characterizing the permeability of drugs across epithelial tissues, and in studying formulations or carrier systems for improved drug delivery and enhanced absorption. Compared to in vivo trials on animals or humans, cell culture models are faster, more convenient and cost effective, ethically advantageous and, most importantly, they can be more easily standardized and validated.This book The use of cell culture as part of pharmaceutical science investigations has dramatically increased over the last 20 years to the point where it has become almost a non-specialist technique. Providing a practical approach to cell culture-based techniques for drug therapy, this book will be an invaluable source of information for both students and pharmaceutical scientists alike. Edited By Claus-michael Lehr. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.