title: Long-term suppression of ocular neovascularization by intraocular injection of biodegradable polymeric particles containing a serpin-derived peptide.
abstract: Aberrant angiogenesis can cause or contribute to a number of diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD). While current NVAMD treatments target angiogenesis, these treatments are not effective for all patients and also require frequent intravitreal injections. New agents and delivery systems to treat NVAMD could be beneficial to many patients. We have recently developed a serpin-derived peptide as an anti-angiogenic agent. Here, this peptide is investigated for activity in human retinal endothelial cells in vitro and for reducing angiogenesis in a laser-induced choroidal neovascularization mouse model of NVAMD in vivo. While frequent intravitreal injections can be tolerated clinically, reducing the number of injections can improve patient compliance, safety, and outcomes. To achieve this goal, and to maximize the in vivo activity of injected peptide, we have developed biodegradable polymers and controlled release particle formulations to extend anti-angiogenic therapy. To create these devices, the anionic peptides are first self-assembled into nanoparticles using a biodegradable cationic polymer and then as a second step, these nanoparticles are encapsulated into biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles. In situ, these particles show approximately zero-order, linear release of the anionic peptide over 200 days. These particles are made of safe, hydrolytically degradable polymers and have low endotoxin. Long-term in vivo experiments in the laser-induced neovascularization model for NVAMD show that these peptide-releasing particles decrease angiogenesis for at least fourteen weeks in vivo following a single particle dose and therefore are a promising treatment strategy for NVAMD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
authors.forename: Ron B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Shmueli
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohnaka
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miki
authors.forename: Niranjan B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lima e Silva
authors.forename: Jacob E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Koskimaki
authors.forename: Jayoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Aleksander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Popel
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Campochiaro
authors.forename: Jordan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D015843:Serpins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D010455:Peptides; D011108:Polymers; D015843:Serpins; C507253:poly(beta-amino ester); D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: Angiogenesis; Controlled drug release; Drug delivery; Microsphere; Ophthalmology; Peptide