Addressing the PEG Mucoadhesivity Paradox to Engineer Nanoparticles that “Slip” through the Human Mucus Barrier

Outsmarting the barrier: Conventional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) coated particles (green with light purple border) are immobilized in human mucus networks by adhesive interactions (red) with the mucus mesh (black lines). A dense, low molecular weight PEG coating (blue) uniquely endows nanoparticles with a mucoinert surface that enables their rapid mucus penetration (trajectory indicated by grey line). Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as "Supporting Information". Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.