Summary
Published in Small (2019), this peer-reviewed study used 3D Petri Dish® micro-molds to form scaffold-free 3D microtissues. Full citation: Shoval, Asaf, et al. Anti‐VEGF‐Aptamer Modified C‐Dots—A Hybrid Nanocomposite for Topical Treatment of Ocular Vascular Disorders
Anti‐VEGF‐Aptamer Modified C‐Dots—A Hybrid Nanocomposite for Topical Treatment of Ocular Vascular Disorders
Research Overview
Delivering anti-VEGF therapeutics to the back of the eye without injections is a longstanding challenge in ocular medicine. This study introduced carbon dots functionalized with an anti-VEGF aptamer: the hybrid nanoparticles carried the aptamer across the cornea to therapeutic levels after topical administration — eye drops rather than intravitreal injection.
The hybrids showed no toxicity in vitro or in a murine model, allowed noninvasive monitoring of intraocular concentration through the carbon dots’ inherent fluorescence, and inhibited VEGF-stimulated choroidal angiogenesis at levels comparable to the approved drugs bevacizumab and aflibercept.
Key Discoveries
- Aptamer-functionalized carbon dots crossed the cornea to therapeutic levels via topical dosing
- Anti-angiogenic effect matched bevacizumab and aflibercept in choroidal vessels
- Inherent C-dot fluorescence enabled noninvasive intraocular concentration monitoring
