posted on 2020-03-06, 17:34authored byYanlong Zhang, Yunjian Yu, Gang Li, Huipeng Meng, Xinge Zhang, Lijie Dong, Zhongming Wu, Ling Lin
The
management of diabetic macular edema (DME), a condition that leads
to an irreversible and severe visual impairment, remains a substantial
challenge worldwide. In this study, we developed a bioadhesive nanoplatform
with enhanced drug penetration to explore alternative treatment modalities
for DME. This nanoparticulate formulation consisted of a sequence
of an amphiphilic phenylboronic acid-based block and random glycopolymer
with a high loading capacity for dexamethasone (DEX) of up to 20%
and sustained drug release in vitro at a clinically
relevant dose. The bioadhesive nanocarriers penetrated the sclera
and choroid and were distributed in the retina under the action of
phenylboronic acid to further promote drug permeation and retention
in target lesions. The pathological analysis, electroretinography
examination and immunofluorescence staining revealed that the nanoformulation
of DEX much more markedly reduced the symptoms of and inflammation
associated with DME than the drug alone, without affecting the function
of the retina. Bioadhesive drug delivery systems are expected to be
a feasible approach to treat DME and other fundus diseases.