Figure 3. Accumulation of cationic
and neutral liposomes was observed with the scanning laser
ophthalmoscope (SLO) in vivo. Cationic liposomes
(CL)-indocyanine green (ICG), CL-Oregon green (OG), or neutral
liposomes labeled with OG were applied intravenously at d1, d5,
d10, or d14 after laser treatment. SLO images were recorded for
each laser choroidal neovascularization (CNV) 60 min later. A:
One representative CNV is shown for each time point and for each
of the formulations tested. The CL-ICG images are taken from the
same CNV in one mouse, and the corresponding infrared (IR)
images are shown for comparison. The other images are taken from
different animals. Although neutral liposomes did not accumulate
within the CNV, CL-OG was found from d10 onwards and CL-ICG
starting from d5. B: The ratio of accumulation of
liposomes in the CNV to the control area was calculated for each
CNV as described in the methods section. The means and the
standard errors of the mean are shown. Values for CL-OG at d10
and d14 and for CL-ICG at d5, d10, and d14 were significantly
higher compared to those of neutral liposomes. Data are means
obtained from five mice. Error bars indicate SEM, and asterisks
indicate statistical significance (p<0.05 as compared to d1).
C: Absorption spectrum of mouse RPE. After the retina as
removed, the RPE was scraped out, homogenized by pipetting, and
diluted in water. Transmission is higher at longer wavelengths.
The OG emission was detected at 530 nm and that of ICG at 830
nm. The murine RPE absorption was about twice as high at 530 nm
as at 830 nm. This gives an estimate of the reduction of
fluorescence emitted by fluorophores when they are located
behind the RPE in vivo and is one of the reasons why ICG is more
suitable for diagnostics of sub-RPE lesions than OG or
fluorescein.