Inhaled Corticosteroid Drug Delivery Using Exogeneous Lung Surfactant as a Carrier and their Biophysical Interaction

In this project, the concentration-dependent interaction of glucocorticoid drug with exogeneous lung surfactant monolayer will be studied by Langmuir experiment, Atomic Force Microscopy experiment and Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulation. The expected outcomes from fixed-APL simulations in the absence of drug may reveal a steady compression of the monolayer reproducing the surface tension during the normal breathing. In the presence of drug, there is a steady, concentration-dependent decrease in surface tension indicating that the drug alters the monolayer’s ability to regulate surface tension which will also be verified by In Vitro experiment.

The results from fixed-surface tension simulation may show that mometasone causes a concentration-dependent expansion of the monolayer at inhalation (20 mNm-1 surface tension) without interfering the monolayer stability. However, at exhalation conditions (0 mNm-1) the monolayers collapse once a certain drug concentration is reached. Both low surface tension and the presence of the surfactant protein appear to make the monolayer more susceptible to the drug-induced collapse. Our findings may be useful to better understand the concentration-dependent effect of drugs on exogeneous surfactant monolayer, for designing the delivery systems of glucocorticoid drugs or the preparation of clinical surfactant as drug carriers for neonates who have lung injuries.