Targeted Delivery of Cell Softening Micelles to Schlemm's Canal Endothelial Cells for Treatment of Glaucoma. Issue 43 (4th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stack, Trevor; Vincent, Michael; Vahabikashi, Amir; Li, Guorong; Perkumas, Kristin M.; Stamer, W. Daniel; Johnson, Mark; Scott, Evan
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 16:Issue 43(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-10-04
• Subjects: controlled delivery -- endothelium -- glaucoma -- latrunculin -- nanoparticle; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202004205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: Increased stiffness of the Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelium in the aqueous humor outflow pathways has been associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma. Novel treatments that relax this endothelium, such as actin depolymerizers and rho kinase inhibitors, are in development. Unfortunately, these treatments have undesirable off‐target effects and a lower than desired potency. To address these issues, a targeted PEG ‐b‐ PPS micelle loaded with actin depolymerizer latrunculin A (tLatA‐MC) is developed. Targeting of SC cells is achieved by modifying the micelle surface with a high affinity peptide that binds the VEGFR3/FLT4 receptor, a lymphatic lineage marker found to be highly expressed by SC cells relative to other ocular cells. During in vitro optimization, increasing the peptide surface density increased micellar uptake in SC cells while unexpectedly decreasing uptake by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The functional efficacy of tLatA‐MC, as measured by decreased SC cell stiffness compared to non‐targeted micelles (ntLatA‐MC) or targeted blank micelles (tBL‐MC), is verified using atomic force microscopy. tLatA‐MC reduced IOP in an in vivo mouse model by 30–50%. The results validate the use of a cell‐softening nanotherapy to selectively modulate stiffness of SC cells for therapeutic reduction of IOP and treatment of glaucoma. Abstract : A micellar delivery system is developed to selectively target Schlemm's canal (SC) cells for the treatment of glaucoma. Surface engineering of the micelles to bind the VEGFR3/FLT4 receptor is shown to enhance intracellular delivery of actin depolymerizer latrunculin A to decrease SC cell stiffness. Application of these micelles in a mouse model confirms reduced intraocular pressure via targeted cell‐softening nanotherapy.