Novel Cpp Conjugated Natamycin For Fungal Keratitis: An In Vitro & In Vivo Study
Published 2023 - 41st Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PO0645 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/1vee-2z52
Authors: Sushmita Gaurav Shah* 1 , Archana Chugh 2 , Harsha Rohira 2 , Sujithra Shankar 2 , Shikha Yadav 3
1Cornea, Ocular Surface, Refractive surgery,Eye Life,Mumbai,India, 2IIT Delhi,New Delhi,India, 3NIB, Noida,Noida,India
Purpose
To describe in-vitro & in-vivo characteristics of novel CPP - conjugated Natamycin for the managment of Fungal Keratitis
Setting
Institutional Collaborative Research
Methods
Natamycin, considered the drug of choice for fungal keratitis caused by filamentous fungi, has multiple limitations including, inability to penetrate across normal epithelium, poor bioavailability, poor solubility in water etc. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, Natamycin was successfully conjugated with cell penetrating peptide(CPP) to create a novel CPP-Natamycin conjugate.
Results
This conjugate demonstrated excellent penetration into human corneal epithelial cell lines along with comparable efficacy against isolates of Fusarium solani, in vitro. Better antifungal efficacy was also noted in comparison to Natamycin alone, in a murine model of Fusarium spp. keratitis. Increased penetration into the cornea as well as anterior chamber was noted in vivo in rabbit eyes which was found to be statistically significant.
Conclusions
To summarize, CPP conjugated Natamycin was found to have better antifungal efficacy as well as increased penetration across corneal epithelium in vivo in animal eyes.