Uptake dynamics and retinal tolerance of phosphorothioate oligonucleotide and its direct delivery into the site of choroidal neovascularization through subretinal administration in the rat
Wy. Shen et Pe. Rakoczy, Uptake dynamics and retinal tolerance of phosphorothioate oligonucleotide and its direct delivery into the site of choroidal neovascularization through subretinal administration in the rat, ANTISENSE N, 11(4), 2001, pp. 257-264
This study aimed to investigate uptake dynamics and retinal tolerance of ph
osphorothioate oligonucleotides (PS-oligos) following subretinal injection.
A fluorescent-labeled PS-oligo (FL-oligo) with random sequence was adminis
tered into the subretinal space of rat by transsclera-choroid-retinal pigme
nt epithelium (RPE) injection at doses of 0.129, 1.29, and 12.9 mug in 2.0
mul solution. The uptake dynamics were evaluated by fundus fluorescent phot
ography in real time and by fluorescence microscopy using flat mounts and c
ryosections. Immunophenotyping for CD4(+), CD8(+) cytotoxic lymphocytes, an
d CD68(+) macrophages was performed to assess cellular infiltration in the
retina. In addition, the FL-oligo was injected subretinally in a rat model
of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) for direct delivery into the site of
CNV. Subretinal administration of FL-oligo resulted in both dose-dependent
and time-dependent distribution in the retina, where it accessed the RPE an
d all layers of the neuroretina. CD4(+), CD8(+) cytotoxic lymphocytes, and
CD68+ macrophages were observed at the site of needle penetration. However,
in areas far from the injection site where the FL-oligo appeared strongly,
cellular infiltration was absent, and the retinal morphology was preserved
very well. The FL-oligo was successfully delivered into the site of intens
e laser photocoagulation. It was predominantly localized to the RPE, macrop
hages, and some choroid cells and remained detectable for at least 56 days
after injection. Our results demonstrate for the first time that subretinal
injection efficiently introduced PS-oligo into the RPE and neuroretina wit
h an acceptable level of safety. Subretinal administration of antiangiogeni
c oligonucleotides may hold great potential for the treatment of CNV.