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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Encapsulated Cell Technology for the Delivery of Biologics to the Mouse Eye
Published on: March 30, 2020
Angiogenesis inhibition and choroidal neovascularization suppression by sustained delivery of an integrin antagonist,
Yingli Fu1, M Lourdes Ponce, Michelle Thill
1National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Purpose:
To evaluate the angiogenic inhibitory effects of an alpha(v)beta(3)/alpha(v)beta(5) integrin antagonist, EMD478761, released from a polymeric implant in a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay and laser-induced experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rats.
Methods:
Polyvinyl alcohol-based reservoir implants releasing EMD478761 were designed for placement onto a CAM or intravitreally in rats. In vitro release rates of the implants were measured using HPLC. Angiogenesis was induced on 10-day-old chick embryos by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and areas of neovascularization were measured. Experimental CNV was induced in the Brown-Norway rat with a diode laser. EMD478761 or sham microimplants were placed within the vitreous chamber of Brown-Norway rats. Two weeks later, areas of CNV were determined by FITC-dextran staining of choroidal flatmounts.
Results:
Sustained delivery of EMD478761 significantly inhibited bFGF-induced angiogenesis in CAM, as determined by a reduction in angiogenesis areas, without drug toxicity to the normal CAM vasculature. In an experimental rat model, intravitreal EMD478761 implants significantly suppressed laser-induced CNV compared with intravitreal sham implants, with the mean area reduced by 63% (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Sustained delivery of EMD478761demonstrates potent antiangiogenic properties in vivo. These results suggest that an EMD478761 implant may be beneficial in the treatment of neovascular ocular diseases.
Insights
Sustained delivery of EMD478761, an alpha(v)beta(3)/alpha(v)beta(5) integrin antagonist, effectively inhibited angiogenesis in chick embryos and suppressed choroidal neovascularization in rats. This suggests potential for treating neovascular eye diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Angiogenesis Research
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Neovascular ocular diseases are a leading cause of vision loss.
- Targeting angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is a key therapeutic strategy.
- Alpha(v)beta(3)/alpha(v)beta(5) integrins play a crucial role in angiogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antiangiogenic effects of EMD478761, an alpha(v)beta(3)/alpha(v)beta(5) integrin antagonist.
- To assess sustained release of EMD478761 from polymeric implants in vivo.
- To investigate EMD478761 efficacy in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and rat laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) models.
Main Methods:
- Polyvinyl alcohol implants were designed for sustained release of EMD478761.
- Angiogenesis was induced with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in CAM assays.
- Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was induced using diode laser in Brown-Norway rats.
- EMD478761 or sham implants were administered intravitreally, and neovascular areas were quantified.
Main Results:
- Sustained EMD478761 delivery significantly inhibited bFGF-induced angiogenesis in CAM without toxicity.
- Intravitreal EMD478761 implants significantly suppressed laser-induced CNV in rats by 63% (P < 0.05).
- HPLC confirmed in vitro release rates of EMD478761 from implants.
Conclusions:
- Sustained delivery of EMD478761 exhibits potent in vivo antiangiogenic properties.
- EMD478761 implants demonstrate efficacy in preclinical models of neovascularization.
- These findings support the potential therapeutic benefit of EMD478761 implants for neovascular ocular diseases.
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Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
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Mechanism of Angiogenesis