Extending intravitreal retention of CNTF via fusion to the HA-binding protein VG1

CNTF-VG1, a CNTF fusion to the HA-binding VG1 domain, non-covalently binds hyaluronic acid with high affinity and is bioactive, enabling longer ocular activity.

• Why it matters: CNTF can protect retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma models, but its ocular retention after injection is limited by rapid diffusion, reducing sustained signaling.
• What they did: The team engineered CNTF-VG1 and tested HA binding affinity and bioactivity, then increased vitreous and thermal stability via co-formulation with HA. They also measured pharmacodynamics in uninjured C57BL/6J female mouse retina by tracking neuroprotective JAK/STAT3 activation.
• The result: VG1 significantly increases the window of JAK/STAT3 pathway activation in uninjured mice retina, supporting improved retention of neuroprotective CNTF after intraocular injection.

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