Suppression of Rat Choroidal Neovascularization by Transscleral Vasohibin-1 Delivery Device

Abstract

Purpose: : To evaluate the effects of transscleral sustained vasohibin-1(VASH) delivery for rat laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by a novel drug delivery device.

Methods: : Transscleral VASH delivery device (VASH-DD) consists of a drug reservoir covered with a controlled-release membrane. The controlled release membrane is made of photopolymerised polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDM) that contains interconnected collagen microparticle. VASH is pelletised with PEGDM and loaded in the reservoir. The amount of released VASH from VASH-DD was measured by ELISA. The release was also confirmed in vivo by immunostaining 2 weeks after the device transplantation. Rat laser-induced CNV model was used to evaluate the effect of VASH-DD. Fluorescein angiography and choroidal flat mounts were used to evaluate the CNV. The results of not only transplantation different amount of VASH loaded device (0, 1, and 10μM, respectively) and just pelletised VASH (VASH-pellet) but also VASH and vehicle itravitreal injection were compared each other.

Results: : The sustained release of VASH from VASH-DDwas confirmed by ELISA. VASH was detected in the retina, especially RPE and ganglion cells aroud the transplanted region and optic nerve. Statisitically significant less fluorescein leakage was observed in eyes with VASH-DD than eyes with 0 μM VASH-DD 2 weeks after transplantation (p=0.038). Statistically significant less CNV size was also observed in eyes transplanted with VASH-DD or intravitreal VASH injection than those of others by choroidal flat mounts.

Conclusions: : Our device showed sustained protein release and might offer a less-invasive method than those previously reported for treatment, such as age-related macular degenelation.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • drug toxicity/drug effects • retina