Effects of Chitosan Drug Loaded Nanoparticles on Migration Activity of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACTMethazolamide (MET) was used as a model drug. Chitosan (Chi), which had the advantages of biodegradation, non-toxicity and biocompatibility, was used to modify the surface of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to construct a stable and targeted drug carrier for eyes. Chi modified MET SLNs were prepared by emulsion evaporation low-temperature curing method. Then, the samples were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Its effect on hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was analyzed. Meanwhile, the effect of the prepared nanoparticles (NPs) on the migration of retinal microvascular endothelial cells was analyzed. The results showed that the optimal formulation of Chi modified MET SLNs was as follows: 35 mg MET, 80 mg glyceryl monostearate (GMS), 15 mg phospholipid, and 10 ml anhydrous ethanol, which were heated and dissolved at 80 °C to form an organic phase. Besides, 20 ml solution composed of 1% Tween80 and 2% Polyethylene glycogen (PEG) 400 was used as the internal aqueous phase. Under hypoxia condition, the up-regulation of HIF-1α and VEGF expression was significantly inhibited; the RPE cells treated with prepared NPs migrated to the center, so as to inhibit the migration of vascular endothelial cells. The average inhibition rate was 44%.