Purpose: The purpose of the current work was to develop a physiologically relevant, in vitro human three-dimensional (3D) corneal epithelial tissue model for use in ophthalmic drug development. Methods: Normal human corneal epithelial cells were cultured at the air-liquid interface to produce the 3D corneal tissue model. Corneal barrier was determined by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Quantitative PCR arrays were utilized to investigate expression of 84 phase I/II metabolizing enzymes and 84 drug transporter genes. Permeability was evaluated using model compounds with a wide range of hydrophobicity, molecular weight, and excipients. Finally, different formulations of latanoprost and bimatoprost were administered and drug absorption and tissue viability and integrity were investigated. Results: Histologic assessment and TEER of the corneal tissue model revealed tissue structure, thickness, and barrier formation (1000 ± 146 Ω·cm2) comparable to native human corneal epithelium. The 3D corneal tissue expressed tight junctions, mucins, and key corneal epithelial detoxification enzymes. Drug-metabolizing enzyme and transporter gene expression in 3D corneal tissue and excised human corneal epithelium were highly correlated (r2 = 0.87). Coefficients of permeation for model drugs in the tissue model and excised rabbit corneas also showed a high correlation (r2 = 0.94). As expected, latanoprost and bimatoprost free acids had much lower permeability (Papp = 1.2 × 10-6 and 1.9 × 10-6) than the corresponding prodrugs (Papp = 2.5 × 10-5 and 5.6 × 10-5), respectively. The presence of 0.02% benzalkonium chloride in ophthalmic formulations significantly affected tissue barrier and viability. Conclusions: The newly developed 3D corneal tissue model appears to be very useful for evaluation of corneal drug permeability and safety during ophthalmic drug development.
Purpose: The purpose of the current work was to develop a physiologically relevant, in vitro human three-dimensional (3D) corneal epithelial tissue model for use in ophthalmic drug development. Methods: Normal human corneal epithelial cells were cultured at the air-liquid interface to produce the 3D corneal tissue model. Corneal barrier was determined by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Quantitative PCR arrays were utilized to investigate expression of 84 phase I/II metabolizing enzymes and 84 drug transporter genes. Permeability was evaluated using model compounds with a wide range of hydrophobicity, molecular weight, and excipients. Finally, different formulations of latanoprost and bimatoprost were administered and drug absorption and tissue viability and integrity were investigated. Results: Histologic assessment and TEER of the corneal tissue model revealed tissue structure, thickness, and barrier formation (1000 ± 146 Ω·cm2) comparable to native human corneal epithelium. The 3D corneal tissue expressed tight junctions, mucins, and key corneal epithelial detoxification enzymes. Drug-metabolizing enzyme and transporter gene expression in 3D corneal tissue and excised human corneal epithelium were highly correlated (r2 = 0.87). Coefficients of permeation for model drugs in the tissue model and excised rabbit corneas also showed a high correlation (r2 = 0.94). As expected, latanoprost and bimatoprost free acids had much lower permeability (Papp = 1.2 × 10-6 and 1.9 × 10-6) than the corresponding prodrugs (Papp = 2.5 × 10-5 and 5.6 × 10-5), respectively. The presence of 0.02% benzalkonium chloride in ophthalmic formulations significantly affected tissue barrier and viability. Conclusions: The newly developed 3D corneal tissue model appears to be very useful for evaluation of corneal drug permeability and safety during ophthalmic drug development.
Authors: Dimitrios Karamichos; Paulina Escandon; Brenda Vasini; Sarah E Nicholas; Lyly Van; Deanna H Dang; Rebecca L Cunningham; Kamran M Riaz Journal: Prog Retin Eye Res Date: 2021-11-02 Impact factor: 19.704
Authors: Malik Aydin; Jana Dietrich; Joana Witt; Maximiliane S C Finkbeiner; Jonas J-H Park; Stefan Wirth; Christine E Engeland; Friedrich Paulsen; Anja Ehrhardt Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2021-11-30 Impact factor: 5.923
Authors: Jessica Sze Chia Ng; Yi Xin Tan; Nor Amalina Ahmad Alwi; Kar Ming Yee; Ahmad Hazri Abdul Rashid; Ka-Liong Tan; Chuei Wuei Leong Journal: J Curr Glaucoma Pract Date: 2021 Sep-Dec