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Ramsay E, Lajunen T, Bhattacharya M, Reinisalo M, Rilla K, Kidron H, Terasaki T, Urtti A. Selective drug delivery to the retinal cells: Biological barriers and avenues. J Control Release 2023; 361:1-19. [PMID: 37481214 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Retinal drug delivery is a challenging, but important task, because most retinal diseases are still without any proper therapy. Drug delivery to the retina is hampered by the anatomical and physiological barriers resulting in minimal bioavailability after topical ocular and systemic administrations. Intravitreal injections are current method-of-choice in retinal delivery, but these injections show short duration of action for small molecules and low target bioavailability for many protein, gene based drugs and nanomedicines. State-of-art delivery systems are based on prolonged retention, controlled drug release and physical features (e.g. size and charge). However, drug delivery to the retina is not cell-specific and these approaches do not facilitate intracellular delivery of modern biological drugs (e.g. intracellular proteins, RNA based medicines, gene editing). In this focused review we highlight biological factors and mechanisms that form the basis for the selective retinal drug delivery systems in the future. Therefore, we are presenting current knowledge related to retinal membrane transporters, receptors and targeting ligands in relation to nanomedicines, conjugates, extracellular vesicles, and melanin binding. These issues are discussed in the light of retinal structure and cell types as well as future prospects in the field. Unlike in some other fields of targeted drug delivery (e.g. cancer research), selective delivery technologies have been rarely studied, even though cell targeted delivery may be even more feasible after local administration into the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ramsay
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tatu Lajunen
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland; School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1 C, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Madhushree Bhattacharya
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Reinisalo
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1 C, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kirsi Rilla
- School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1 C, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heidi Kidron
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tetsuya Terasaki
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1 C, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arto Urtti
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland; School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1 C, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.
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Teal CJ, Ho MT, Huo L, Harada H, Bahlmann LC, Léveillard T, Monnier PP, Ramachandran A, Shoichet MS. Affinity-controlled release of rod-derived cone viability factor enhances cone photoreceptor survival. Acta Biomater 2023; 161:37-49. [PMID: 36898472 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetic diseases that results in rod photoreceptor cell degeneration, which subsequently leads to cone photoreceptor cell death, impaired vision and eventual blindness. Rod-derived cone viability factor (RdCVF) is a protein which has two isoforms: a short form (RdCVF) and a long form (RdCVFL) which act on cone photoreceptors in the retina. RdCVFL protects photoreceptors by reducing hyperoxia in the retina; however, sustained delivery of RdCVFL remains challenging. We developed an affinity-controlled release strategy for RdCVFL. An injectable physical blend of hyaluronan and methylcellulose (HAMC) was covalently modified with a peptide binding partner of the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain. This domain was expressed as a fusion protein with RdCVFL, thereby enabling its controlled release from HAMC-binding peptide. Sustained release of RdCVFL was demonstrated for the first time as RdCVFL-SH3 from HAMC-binding peptide for 7 d in vitro. To assess bioactivity, chick retinal dissociates were harvested and treated with the affinity-released recombinant protein from the HAMC-binding peptide vehicle. After 6 d in culture, cone cell viability was greater when cultured with released RdCVFL-SH3 relative to controls. We utilized computational fluid dynamics to model release of RdCVFL-SH3 from our delivery vehicle in the vitreous of the human eye. We demonstrate that our delivery vehicle can prolong the bioavailability of RdCVFL-SH3 in the retina, potentially enhancing its therapeutic effects. Our affinity-based system constitutes a versatile delivery platform for ultimate intraocular injection in the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the leading cause of inherited blindness in the world. Rod-derived cone viability factor (RdCVF), a novel protein paracrine factor, is effective in preclinical models of RP. To extend its therapeutic effects, we developed an affinity-controlled release strategy for the long form of RdCVF, RdCVFL. We expressed RdCVFL as a fusion protein with an Src homology 3 domain (SH3). We then utilized a hydrogel composed of hyaluronan and methylcellulose (HAMC) and modified it with SH3 binding peptides to investigate its release in vitro. Furthermore, we designed a mathematical model of the human eye to investigate delivery of the protein from the delivery vehicle. This work paves the way for future investigation of controlled release RdCVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carter J Teal
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, M5S 3G9 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, M5S3E1 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret T Ho
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, M5S 3G9 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, M5S3E1 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lia Huo
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, M5S3E1 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, M5S 1A8 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hidekiyo Harada
- Donald K. Johnson Research Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura C Bahlmann
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, M5S 3G9 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, M5S3E1 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thierry Léveillard
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Philippe P Monnier
- Donald K. Johnson Research Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arun Ramachandran
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, M5S 3E5 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Molly S Shoichet
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, M5S 3G9 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, M5S3E1 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, M5S 1A8 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, M5S 3E5 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 Saint George Street, M5S 3H6 Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Itkonen J, Ghemtio L, Pellegrino D, Jokela (née Heinonen) PJ, Xhaard H, Casteleijn MG. Analysis of Biologics Molecular Descriptors towards Predictive Modelling for Protein Drug Development Using Time-Gated Raman Spectroscopy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1639. [PMID: 36015265 PMCID: PMC9413954 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmaceutical proteins, compared to small molecular weight drugs, are relatively fragile molecules, thus necessitating monitoring protein unfolding and aggregation during production and post-marketing. Currently, many analytical techniques take offline measurements, which cannot directly assess protein folding during production and unfolding during processing and storage. In addition, several orthogonal techniques are needed during production and market surveillance. In this study, we introduce the use of time-gated Raman spectroscopy to identify molecular descriptors of protein unfolding. Raman spectroscopy can measure the unfolding of proteins in-line and in real-time without labels. Using K-means clustering and PCA analysis, we could correlate local unfolding events with traditional analytical methods. This is the first step toward predictive modeling of unfolding events of proteins during production and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaakko Itkonen
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leo Ghemtio
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniela Pellegrino
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pia J. Jokela (née Heinonen)
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
- Orion Pharma, 02101 Espoo, Finland
| | - Henri Xhaard
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
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Zhu Y, Cao B, Tolone A, Yan J, Christensen G, Arango-Gonzalez B, Ueffing M, Paquet-Durand F. In vitro Model Systems for Studies Into Retinal Neuroprotection. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:938089. [PMID: 35873807 PMCID: PMC9301112 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.938089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapy development for neurodegenerative diseases of the retina constitutes a major unmet medical need, and this may be particularly relevant for inherited diseases of the retina, which are largely untreatable to this day. Therapy development necessitates appropriate models to improve the understanding of the underlying degenerative mechanisms, as well as for the testing and evaluation of novel treatment approaches. This review provides an overview of various in vitro model systems used to study retinal neuroprotection. The in vitro methods and technologies discussed range from primary retinal cell cultures and cell lines, to retinal organoids and organotypic retinal explants, to the cultivation of whole eyeballs. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are compared and evaluated, also in view of the 3R principles (i.e., the refinement, reduction, and replacement of live animal testing), to identify suitable in vitro alternatives for in vivo experimentation. The article further expands on the use of in vitro models to test and evaluate neuroprotective treatments and to aid the development of retinal drug delivery systems. Among the pharmacological agents tested and characterized in vitro are such that interfere with aberrant cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) -signaling or such that inhibit the activities of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), histone deacetylases (HDAC), calpain-type proteases, as well as unfolded protein response-related stress. We then introduce nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems and discuss how different in vitro systems may be used to assess their efficacy in the treatment of retinal diseases. The summary provides a brief comparison of available in vitro models and relates their advantages and limitations to the various experimental requirements, for instance, for studies into disease mechanisms, novel treatments, or retinal toxicity. In many cases, combinations of different in vitro models may be required to obtain a comprehensive view of the efficacy of a given retinal neuroprotection approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhu
- Cell Death Mechanisms Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bowen Cao
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Molecular Biology of Retinal Degenerations, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Arianna Tolone
- Cell Death Mechanisms Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jie Yan
- Cell Death Mechanisms Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gustav Christensen
- Cell Death Mechanisms Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Blanca Arango-Gonzalez
- Molecular Biology of Retinal Degenerations, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Molecular Biology of Retinal Degenerations, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Marius Ueffing,
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Cell Death Mechanisms Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- François Paquet-Durand,
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Leclercq B, Mejlachowicz D, Behar-Cohen F. Ocular Barriers and Their Influence on Gene Therapy Products Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050998. [PMID: 35631584 PMCID: PMC9143174 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The eye is formed by tissues and cavities that contain liquids whose compositions are highly regulated to ensure their optical properties and their immune and metabolic functions. The integrity of the ocular barriers, composed of different elements that work in a coordinated fashion, is essential to maintain the ocular homeostasis. Specialized junctions between the cells of different tissues have specific features which guarantee sealing properties and selectively control the passage of drugs from the circulation or the outside into the tissues and within the different ocular compartments. Tissues structure also constitute selective obstacles and pathways for various molecules. Specific transporters control the passage of water, ions, and macromolecules, whilst efflux pumps reject and eliminate toxins, metabolites, or drugs. Ocular barriers, thus, limit the bioavailability of gene therapy products in ocular tissues and cells depending on the route chosen for their administration. On the other hand, ocular barriers allow a real local treatment, with limited systemic side-effects. Understanding the different barriers that limit the accessibility of different types of gene therapy products to the different target cells is a prerequisite for the development of efficient gene delivery systems. This review summarizes actual knowledge on the different ocular barriers that limit the penetration and distribution of gene therapy products using different routes of administration, and it provides a general overview of various methods used to bypass the ocular barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Leclercq
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne University, Université de Paris Cité, Inserm, F-75006 Paris, France; (B.L.); (D.M.)
| | - Dan Mejlachowicz
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne University, Université de Paris Cité, Inserm, F-75006 Paris, France; (B.L.); (D.M.)
| | - Francine Behar-Cohen
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, From Physiopathology of Ocular Diseases to Clinical Development, Sorbonne University, Université de Paris Cité, Inserm, F-75006 Paris, France; (B.L.); (D.M.)
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Ophtalmopole, Cochin Hospital, Université de Paris Cité, F-75015 Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hôpital Foch, F-92150 Suresnes, France
- Correspondence:
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Battista MR, Grigoletto A, Tedeschini T, Cellucci A, Colaceci F, Laufer R, Pasut G, Di Marco A. Efficacy of PEGylated ciliary neurotrophic factor superagonist variant in diet-induced obesity mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265749. [PMID: 35316287 PMCID: PMC8939829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neurotrophic cytokine able to induce appetite reduction, weight loss and antidiabetic effects. However, its susceptibility to neutralizing anti-CNTF antibodies in patients hampered its use for treatment of human obesity and diabetes. In addition, CNTF has a very short plasma half-life, which limits its use as a therapeutic agent. Solutions, directed to prolong its in vivo effects, vary from the implantation of encapsulated secreting cells to identification of more active variants or chemical modification of the protein itself. PEGylation is a widely used modification for shielding proteins from circulating antibodies and for increasing their plasma half-life. Here, we have selected DH-CNTF, a CNTF variant which has a 40-fold higher affinity for the CNTF receptor α accompanied by an increased activity in cellular assays. The PEGylated DH-CNTF retained the biological activity of native protein in vitro and showed a significant improvement of pharmacokinetic parameters. In an acute model of glucose tolerance, the PEG-DH-CNTF was able to reduce the glycemia in diet-induced obese animals, with a performance equaled by a 10-fold higher dose of DH-CNTF. In addition, the PEGylated DH-CNTF analog demonstrated a more potent weight loss effect than the unmodified protein, opening to the use of CNTF as weight reducing agent with treatment regimens that can better meet patient compliance thanks to reduced dosing schedules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonella Grigoletto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Tommaso Tedeschini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Gianfranco Pasut
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- * E-mail: (ADM); (GP)
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Bhattacharya M, Sadeghi A, Sarkhel S, Hagström M, Bahrpeyma S, Toropainen E, Auriola S, Urtti A. Release of functional dexamethasone by intracellular enzymes: A modular peptide-based strategy for ocular drug delivery. J Control Release 2020; 327:584-594. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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