Targeted Microglial Attenuation through Dendrimer-Drug Conjugates Improves Glaucoma Neuroprotection.
Ian PithaSiva KambhampatiAnjali SharmaRishi SharmaLiam McCreaAnn MozzerRangaramanujam M KannanPublished in: Biomacromolecules (2023)
Retinal microglial/macrophage activation and optic nerve (ON) microglial/macrophage activation are glaucoma biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for this blinding disease. We report targeting of activated microglia by PAMAM dendrimers in a rat glaucoma model and neuroprotection by N -acetylcysteine-conjugated dendrimer (D-NAC) conjugates in a post-injury rescue experiment. Intravitreally delivered fluorescently labeled dendrimer (D-Cy5) conjugates targeted and were retained in Iba-1-positive cells (90% at 7 days and 55% after 28 days) in the retina following intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, while systemically delivered D-Cy5 targeted ON cells. A single intravitreal D-NAC dose given 1 week after IOP elevation significantly reduced transcription of pro-inflammatory (IL-6, MCP-1, IL-1β) and A1 astrocyte (Serping1, Fkbp5, Amigo2) markers and increased survival of retinal ganglion cells (39 ± 12%) versus BSS- (20 ± 15%, p = 0.02) and free NAC-treated (26 ± 14%, p = 0.15) eyes. These results highlight the potential of dendrimer-targeted microglia and macrophages for early glaucoma detection and as a neuroprotective therapeutic target.
Keyphrases
- optic nerve
- cancer therapy
- induced apoptosis
- optical coherence tomography
- inflammatory response
- transcription factor
- cell cycle arrest
- neuropathic pain
- diabetic retinopathy
- drug delivery
- adipose tissue
- oxidative stress
- endoplasmic reticulum stress
- brain injury
- emergency department
- cell death
- spinal cord injury
- human health
- spinal cord
- vascular endothelial growth factor
- newly diagnosed
- subarachnoid hemorrhage