Intravitreal delivery of oligonucleotides by sterically stabilized liposomes.
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of sterically stabilized liposomes for delivering a model phosphodiester oligonucleotide intravitreally was investigated in the rabbit.


METHODS
Ocular distribution and clearance from the vitreous humor of a model 16-mer oligothymidylate (pdT16) were evaluated in the rabbit by radioactivity measurements after intravitreal injection of either a solution or liposomes containing the [33P]pdT16 oligonucleotide. The integrity of pdT16 was investigated using a competitive hybridization assay.


RESULTS
The residual concentration of the [33P]pdT16 oligonucleotide within the ocular tissues was significantly increased after intravitreal administration of the liposomal suspension compared with a simple solution. Administration of liposome-encapsulated pdT16 oligonucleotide resulted in sustained release into the vitreous and the retina-choroid compared with release from the solution and in a reduced distribution to nontarget tissues (sclera, lens). In addition, liposomes protected the phosphodiester oligonucleotide against degradation. This was not observed after administration of the free oligonucleotide.


CONCLUSIONS
The intravitreal injection of a phosphodiester oligonucleotide encapsulated within liposomes is a new way of delivering intact oligonucleotide to the eye in a controlled manner. This offers interesting prospects for the treatment of retinal diseases.
Bochot
Amélie
A
Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie, Pharmacotechnie, Biopharmacie, Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 8612, Faculté de Pharmacie, Châtenay-Malabry, France.
Fattal
Elias
E
Boutet
Valérie
V
Deverre
Jean Robert
JR
Jeanny
Jean Claude
JC
Chacun
Hélène
H
Couvreur
Patrick
P
D000818:Animals; D002829:Choroid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D007267:Injections; D008081:Liposomes; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011071:Poly T / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013873:Thionucleotides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008081:Liposomes; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D013873:Thionucleotides; D011071:Poly T