Abstract
Purpose:
This project aims at the development a targeted drug delivery system by using hydrogel nanospheres for reducing the frequency of injection and follow-up diagnosis for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods:
Bio-compatible luminescent nanoparticles (NPs) act as drug carriers for the targeted delivery to inhibit the growth of abnormal blood vessel in the area of macula. The nanoparticles (NPs) as drug carriers will maintain the bioactivity of the conjugated anti-human IgG (Fab specific) antibody, and keep the local concentration of the anti-body at a desire level, which may result in the efficient treatment for AMD in a sustainable manner. Meanwhile, the new luminescent NPs as drug carriers can be identified easily by applying optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive diagnostic tool.
Results:
In this study, CdSe Qquantum dots (QDs) were first modified with a zinc sulfide shell to solubilize the QD in water. The QDs-loaded gelatin-basedr nanoparticles (QDs-GNPs) are further developed to be conjugated with anti-human IgG antibody which is able to drive the nano-carriers to the cell with high expression of VEGF, and block VEGF at its original site in the extracellular space. Gelatin is a colorless and translucent natural polymer derived from collagen of animals’ bones and skin. It has been used in food and pharmaceutical industry because of its multi-functional groups (-COO, -NH2), biodegradability, and unique gel-forming ability. Our recent results demonstrate that gelatin NPs can keep the loaded protein drug bioactivity in vitro during the long releasing period (t => 20 days). In addition, we show the multifunctional modification on the surface of cationic nanoparticles, e.g. gelatin NPs, chitosan NPs, and silica NPs to recognize certain protein on the surface of cells. Our results indicate that surface modified QD-GNPs do not impose any toxic effect on the cell lines.
Conclusions:
This system will allow us to evaluate the nanosystem for imaging and treatment of AMD in vitro.
Keywords: 608 nanomedicine •
412 age-related macular degeneration •
551 imaging/image analysis: non-clinical