Effective delivery of recombinant proteins to rod photoreceptors via lipid nanovesicles.
The potential of liposomes to deliver functional proteins in retinal photoreceptors and modulate their physiological response was investigated by two experimental approaches. First, we treated isolated mouse retinas with liposomes encapsulating either recoverin, an important endogenous protein operating in visual phototransduction, or antibodies against recoverin. We then intravitrally injected in vivo liposomes encapsulating either rhodamin B or recoverin and we investigated the distribution in retina sections by confocal microscopy. The content of liposomes was found to be released in higher amount in the photoreceptor layer than in the other regions of the retina and the functional effects of the release were in line with the current model of phototransduction. Our study sets the basis for quantitative investigations aimed at assessing the potential of intraocular protein delivery via biocompatible nanovesicles, with promising implications for the treatment of retinal diseases affecting the photoreceptor layer.
Dept. of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Sabrina
S
Asteriti
Dept. of Life Sciences and Reproduction, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona, Italy.
Giuditta
G
Dal Cortivo
Dept. of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona, Italy.
Valeria
V
Pontelli
Dept. of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Lorenzo
L
Cangiano
Dept. of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona, Italy; Center for Biomedical Computing, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy. Electronic address: mario.buffelli@univr.it.
Mario
M
Buffelli
Dept. of Life Sciences and Reproduction, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, Verona, Italy; Center for Biomedical Computing, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy. Electronic address: daniele.dellorco@univr.it.
Daniele
D
Dell'Orco
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D003198:Computer Simulation; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008954:Models, Biological; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D051603:Recoverin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D017948:Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008055:Lipids; D053769:Nanocapsules; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D051603:Recoverin
Liposomes; Phototransduction; Protein therapy; Recoverin; Retina