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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Spatio-Temporal In Vivo Imaging of Ocular Drug Delivery Systems using Fiberoptic Confocal Laser Microendoscopy
Published on: September 27, 2021
Ocular drug delivery by liposome-chitosan nanoparticle complexes (LCS-NP)
Yolanda Diebold1, Miguel Jarrín, Victoria Sáez
1IOBA, University of Valladolid, Ramón y Cajal 7, E-47005 Valladolid, Spain. yol@ioba.med.uva.es
Liposome-chitosan nanoparticle complexes (LCS-NP) show low toxicity and good cellular uptake for ocular drug delivery. In vitro and in vivo studies confirm their potential as effective carriers for the ocular surface.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Ophthalmology
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Developing effective ocular drug delivery systems is challenging due to the eye's biological barriers.
- Liposomes and chitosan nanoparticles are promising nanocarriers, but their combination for ocular delivery requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of liposome-chitosan nanoparticle complexes (LCS-NP) as ocular drug delivery systems.
- To assess the cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and in vivo tolerance of LCS-NP on the ocular surface.
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity assays using the IOBA-NHC conjunctival cell line.
- Confocal and fluorescence microscopy to examine LCS-NP uptake in vitro and in vivo.
- In vivo acute tolerance studies in rabbit ocular surface models.
Main Results:
- LCS-NP exhibited very low in vitro toxicity in conjunctival epithelial cells.
- Rapid cellular uptake of LCS-NP was observed in vitro (15-30 min) and in vivo.
- Strong cellular uptake in the conjunctiva and minimal corneal uptake were noted in vivo, with no macroscopic adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- LCS-NP demonstrate favorable safety and efficacy profiles for ocular drug delivery.
- These complexes show significant potential as advanced nanocarriers for targeting the ocular surface.
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