Ultrasound-enhanced penetration through sclera depends on frequency of sonication and size of macromolecules.

We previously employed ultrasound as a needleless approach to deliver macromolecules via the transscleral route to the back of the eye in live animals (Suen et al., 2013). Here, we investigated the nature of the ultrasound-enhanced transport through sclera, the outermost barrier in the transscleral route.

Examination of Effects of Low-Frequency Ultrasound on Scleral Permeability and Collagen Network.

Delivery of therapeutics to the intraocular space or to targeted tissues in the posterior segment is challenging because of the structural and dynamic barriers surrounding the eye. Previously, we reported the feasibility of using ultrasound (US) irradiation to deliver macromolecules to the posterior segment of the eye via the transscleral route, which consists of sclera as the outermost anatomic barrier. In this study, we found that although ultrasound increases scleral permeability for macromolecules, the scleral collagen arrangement remains undisturbed.

Size-dependent internalisation of folate-decorated nanoparticles via the pathways of clathrin and caveolae-mediated endocytosis in ARPE-19 cells.

Objectives: We aim to quantify the effect of size and degree of folate loading of folate-decorated polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) on the kinetics of cellular uptake and the selection of endocytic pathways in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.

Methods: In this study, methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polycaprolactone (mPEG-b-PCL) and folate-functionalized PEG-b-PCL were synthesized for assembling into nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 50 nm to 250 nm. These nanoparticles were internalized into ARPE-19 (human RPE cell line) via receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Ultrasound-mediated transscleral delivery of macromolecules to the posterior segment of rabbit eye in vivo.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the in vivo effectiveness of low-frequency ultrasound in mediating the transport of macromolecules to the posterior segment of the eye via transscleral route. It investigates if damage is caused by ultrasound at the tested operation parameters on the posterior ocular tissues and visual function.

Methods: Ultrasound (I(SATA) = 0.

Specific uptake of folate-decorated triamcinolone-encapsulating nanoparticles by retinal pigment epithelium cells enhances and prolongs antiangiogenic activity.

We are proposing folate-decorated polymeric nanoparticles as carriers of poorly soluble drug molecules for intracellular and prolonged delivery to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. RPE is a monolayer of epithelial cells that forms the outer blood-retinal barrier in the posterior segment of the eye, and is also implicated in the pathology of, such as neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, folate-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polycaprolactone (folate-PEG-b-PCL) were synthesized for assembling into nanoparticles of ~130nm.