An Update on Novel Ocular Nanosystems with Possible Benefits in the Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization

Abstract

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is an ocular pathological change that results from an imbalance between angiogenic factors and antiangiogenic factors as a result of various ocular insults, including infection, inflammation, hypoxia, trauma, corneal degeneration, and corneal transplantation. Current clinical strategies for the treatment of CNV include pharmacological treatment and surgical intervention. Despite some degree of success, the current treatment strategies are restricted by limited efficacy, adverse effects, and a short duration of action. Recently, gene-based antiangiogenic therapy has become an emerging strategy that has attracted considerable interest. However, potential complications with the use of viral vectors, such as potential genotoxicity resulting from long-term expression and nonspecific targeting, cannot be ignored. The use of ocular nanosystems (ONS) based on nanotechnology has emerged as a great advantage in ocular disease treatment during the last two decades. The potential functions of ONS range from nanocarriers, which deliver drugs and genes to target sites in the eye, to therapeutic agents themselves. Various preclinical studies conducted to date have demonstrated promising results of the use of ONS in the treatment of CNV. In this review, we provide an overview of CNV and its current therapeutic strategies and summarize the properties and applications of various ONS related to the treatment of CNV reported to date. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive review of these considerable advances in ONS in the field of CNV therapy over the past two decades to fill the gaps in previous related reports. Finally, we discuss existing challenges and future perspectives of the use of ONS in CNV therapy, with the goal of providing a theoretical contribution to facilitate future practical growth in the area.

Effect of Intra-Stromal Bevacizumab on Corneal Vascularization

“…Zhang et al advocated the use of ocular nano systems (ONS) based on nanotechnology for the treatment of corneal neovascularization that has emerged as a great advantage in its treatment during the last two decades. 22 The potential functions of the ocular nanosystems range from nanocarriers, which deliver drugs and genes to target sites in the eye. These ocular nanosystems can be a future perspective for the treatment of corneal neovascularization.…”

Functional Peptide-Loaded Gelatin Nanoparticles as Eyedrops for Cornea Neovascularization Treatment

“…Corneal neovascularization (NV) is a pathological condition of the cornea characterized by the invasion of new blood vessels into the avascular corneal regions from the limbus. 1 Common causes of corneal neovascularization include chemical burns, trauma, contact lens wear, hypoxia, infection, corneal graft rejection, and immunological disease. 1 The increased permeability of these new vessels leads to chronic corneal edema, lipid exudation, inflammation, and scar formation.…”

“… 24 , 25 Variant kinds of nanoparticles such as liposome, gold nanoparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles were studied. 1 , 19 , 24 The biological polymer, gelatin, was chosen in the study as the particle matrix because of its biocompatibility and biodegradation. 26 , 27 Gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) can be fabricated with different surface charge (manipulated by different types of gelatins), and the drug release behavior of GNP can be controlled by changing the crosslinking agent and time.…”

“…1 Common causes of corneal neovascularization include chemical burns, trauma, contact lens wear, hypoxia, infection, corneal graft rejection, and immunological disease. 1 The increased permeability of these new vessels leads to chronic corneal edema, lipid exudation, inflammation, and scar formation. [2][3][4] The mechanism underlying inflammation-induced NV results from the disruption of angiogenic and antiangiogenic balance in the cornea, which leads to significant corneal transparency change and visual impairment.…”

Fenofibrate suppresses corneal neovascularization by regulating lipid metabolism through PPARα signaling pathway

“…Multiple mechanisms related with the incidence of CNV were confirmed including inflammation, limbal stem cell deficiency, oxidative stress as well as the imbalance between angiopoietin and antiangiogenesis factors (Peng et al, 2022). However, antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and antiinflammatory pharmaceuticals remain the mainstay of therapy for CNV up to now while there are risks of significant adverse effects (steroid-induced glaucoma; CsA-induced eczema, chest pain, back pain) with these treatments (Roshandel et al, 2018;Zhang et al, 2022). Anti-VEGF therapy is the main FDA approved anti-angiogenic treatment for a range of solid tumors (Donovan et al, 2019).…”