Controlled Release of rAAV Vectors from APMA-Functionalized Contact Lenses for Corneal Gene Therapy.

As an alternative to eye drops and ocular injections for gene therapy, the aim of this work was to design for the first time hydrogel contact lenses that can act as platforms for the controlled delivery of viral vectors (recombinant adeno-associated virus, rAAV) to the eye in an effective way with improved patient compliance. Hydrogels of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with aminopropyl methacrylamide (APMA) (H1: 40, and H2: 80 mM) or without (Hc: 0 mM) were synthesized, sterilized by steam heat (121 °C, 20 min), and then tested for gene therapy using rAAV vectors to deliver the genes to the cornea. The hydrogels showed adequate light transparency, oxygen permeability, and swelling for use as contact lenses. Loading of viral vectors (rAAV-lacZ, rAAV-RFP, or rAAV-hIGF-I) was carried out at 4 °C to maintain viral vector titer. Release in culture medium was monitored by fluorescence with Cy3-rAAV-lacZ and AAV Titration ELISA. Transduction efficacy was tested through reporter genes lacZ and RFP in human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). lacZ was detected with X-Gal staining and quantified with Beta-Glo®, and RFP was monitored by fluorescence. The ability of rAAV-hIGF-I-loaded hydrogels to trigger cell proliferation in hMSCs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Finally, the ability of rAAV-lacZ-loaded hydrogels to transduce bovine cornea was confirmed through detection with X-Gal staining of ß-galactosidase expressed within the tissue.

Hydrogels for diabetic eyes: Naltrexone loading, release profiles and cornea penetration.

Naltrexone (NTX) is a potent opioid growth factor receptor (OGFR) antagonist proved to be useful for treatment of ocular surface complications. The aim of this work was to explore the feasibility of designing NTX-imprinted 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-based hydrogels for sustained drug release on the ocular surface. Acrylic acid (AAc) and benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) were chosen as functional monomers able to form binding cavities mimicking OGFR binding sites for NTX. Imprinted hydrogels containing functional monomers loaded higher amounts of NTX compared to non-imprinted ones by simple soaking in drug aqueous solution. In addition, possibility of carrying out the loading and sterilization processes in one step was investigated. NTX release was evaluated both under agitated sink conditions and in a microfluidic flow chamber mimicking the hydrodynamic conditions of the eye, namely the small volume of lachrymal fluid and its renovation rate. Sustained release profiles together with adequate swelling degree (46 to 57% w/w), light transparency (over 85%) and oxygen permeability may make these hydrogels suitable candidates to NTX-eluting contact lenses. NTX-loaded and non-loaded discs successfully passed the chorioallantoic membrane test for potential ocular irritation and were cytocompatible with human mesenchymal stem cells. Finally, NTX-imprinted hydrogels tested in the bovine corneal permeability assay provided therapeutically relevant amounts of NTX inside the cornea, reaching drug levels similar to those attained with a concentrated aqueous solution in spite the discs showed sustained release.

Epalrestat-loaded silicone hydrogels as contact lenses to address diabetic-eye complications.

Most treatments for diabetic eye conditions rely on systemic (oral) or intravitreal administration, and there is still a demand of efficient and comfortable ocular dosage forms. Our purpose was to design contact lenses (CLs) suitable for local prophylaxis/treatment of diabetes-related ocular pathologies, by means of the incorporation of bioinspired functional groups that can reversibly interact with epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor. Several sets of silicone hydrogels were synthesized varying the contents in 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), monomethacryloxypropyl-sym-polydimethylsiloxane hydroxypropyl terminated (MCS-MC12), and aminopropyl methacrylamide (APMA). Epalrestat was incorporated before or after polymerization, and loading and release profiles compared. All sets were evaluated regarding optical properties, oxygen permeability, swelling, cytocompatibility, ocular irritation, and corneal drug penetration (using a drug solution as reference). Designed silicone hydrogels showed adequate properties to be used as CLs. Affinity for epalrestat strongly depended on the content in APMA, which endowed the hydrogels with prolonged release in 0.9% NaCl for one week, both after synthesis and after being re-loaded. Bovine corneal permeability tests demonstrated that epalrestat released from the hydrogels can efficiently accumulate into the cornea in spite the concentrations provided on cornea surface were lower than those attained after instillation of concentrated eyedrops. Epalrestat-loaded hydrogels also demonstrated anti-cataract activity in an in vitro model of diabetic eye. Overall, silicone hydrogel CLs functionalized with bioinspired chemical groups represent a first attempt to design CLs adapted to the needs of diabetic eyes, acting as controlled release platforms of epalrestat, promoting drug accumulation and diffusion through cornea.

α-Lipoic Acid in Soluplus(®) Polymeric Nanomicelles for Ocular Treatment of Diabetes-Associated Corneal Diseases.

α-Lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant valuable for prevention and treatment of ophthalmic complications such as diabetic keratopathy and retinopathy. The aim of this work was to develop micelle-based formulations that can enhance the solubility, stability, and corneal permeability of ALA. Compared to a conventional surfactant (sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate), Soluplus(®) (polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol copolymer) led to smaller micelles (70-80 vs. 240-528 nm) with improved ability to solubilize ALA, maintaining ocular compatibility (Hens Egg Test on the Chorio-Allantoic Membrane). Soluplus nanomicelles enhanced more than 10-fold ALA solubility compared to common eye drops and withstood strong dilution in lachrymal fluid, filtration through sterilizing membranes, and freeze-drying. Interestingly, Soluplus nanomicelle formulation prepared with 1 or 2 mM block copolymer concentration exhibited in situ gelling capability and transformed into weak gels at 35°C, which is expected to increase corneal residence time. Bovine corneal permeability revealed that Soluplus nanomicelles notably enhanced ALA accumulation into the cornea as well as flux of drug toward the receptor chamber. Overall, these findings point out Soluplus nanomicelles as suitable carriers of ALA that may exhibit improved performance compared to currently available eye drop solutions.