Catching target receptors for drug and vaccine delivery using TOGA ® gene expression profiling

Drug delivery technologies are commonly directed towards formulations to control the delivery of therapeutic compounds. However, many processes in the human body have evolved to regulate the transport of various molecules, cells, or particles across epithelial barriers. To take advantage of this biology, we used TOGA ® gene expression profiling to identify receptor or transporter molecules to target delivery vehicles for transport across an epithelial barrier. In the case of intestinal epithelium, we sought molecules associated with the transport of particles by Peyer’s patch M cells. We have identified genes specific to Peyer’s patch epithelium, some of which appear to be M cell specific. Discoveries made by this process will provide targets for development of new vaccines, but also provide new insights into the biology of transepithelial transport. The power of this gene profiling approach also suggests application to other systems, such as the response to metabolic changes or drug treatments.