POD nanoparticles expressing GDNF provide structural and functional rescue of light-induced retinal degeneration in an adult mouse.

ABSTRACT: Peptide for ocular delivery (POD) is a novel cationic cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) which, when conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG-POD), can deliver plasmid DNA to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of adult murine retina. PEG-POD nanoparticles containing an expression cassette for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (PEG-POD~GDNF) were investigated for their ability to inhibit light-induced photoreceptor apoptosis. PEG-POD~GDNF, control nanoparticles, or buffer were injected into the subretinal space of adult murine retina and retinal degeneration induced by blue light. Animals injected with PEG-POD~GDNF showed a significant reduction (3.9-7.7 fold) in apoptosis relative to control-injected animals. The thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) of the superior retina of

SUBMITTER: Read SP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2990513 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature