Effect of betamethasone phosphate–loaded polyactide nanoparticles on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the effects of betamethasone phosphate–loaded polyactide nanoparticles (BP–PLA NPs) on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in Lewis rats. Methods: EAU was induced in Lewis rats with S–Ag. Saline (n=5), betamethasone phosphate (BP) (n=5), or BP–PLA NPs (n=5) were injected intravenously on the day of disease onset. Eyes were removed 7 and 14 days after treatment. All rats were examined for the clinical course of EAU, pathologic findings, and immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy, using antibodies for glia (GFAP), inflammatory cells (ED1, OX42) and MHC class II (OX6). Results: Intravenous injection of BP–PLA NPs significantly decreased clinical and pathologic findings of EAU. Clinical scores of EAU were significantly lower 7 and 14 days after disease in rats receiving BP–PLA NPs than in rats receiving saline or BP (p<0.05). In addition, we found that ocular infiltration of activated T cells and macrophages was markedly decreased after treatment with BM–PLA NPs. The treatment also greatly reduced Müller cell proliferation. Conclusions: These data indicate that intravenous injection of BP–PLA NPs inhibits ocular inflammation in EAU.

Keywords: uveitis–clinical/animal model • inflammation • drug toxicity/drug effects