PHOSPHOROTHIOATE OLIGONUCLEOTIDES INDUCTION INTO EXPERIMENTAL CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION BY HVJ-LIPOSOME SYSTEM

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the inactivated hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome method can induce phosphorothioate oligonucleotides effectively into an experimentally-induced choroidal neovascularization of rats. We also examined whether anti-sense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides against VEGF could be induced into choroidal neovascularization as a therapeutic agent by the HVJ-liposome method. Methods. The experiments were conducted on a rat model of choroidal neovascularization. FITC-labeled phosphorothioate oligonucleotides were coencapsulated in liposomes. The liposomes were coated with the envelope of inactivated HVJ and injected into the vitreous cavity following photocoagulation of pigmented rat eyes. The eyes were removed following injection, fixed, frozen and cut into thin sections. Induction of oligonucleotides was observed under a laser confocal scanning microscope for fluorescence and the development of choroidal neovascularization was evaluated histo...