Ocular delivery of Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) as a neuroprotectant for Geographic Atrophy

Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), that starts with atrophic lesions in the outer retina that expand to cover the macula and fovea, leading to severe vision loss over time. Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) has a diverse-range of properties, including its ability to promote cell survival, reduce inflammation, inhibit angiogenesis, combat oxidative stress, regulate autophagy, and stimulate anti-apoptotic pathways, making it a promising therapeutic candidate for GA. However, the relatively short half-life of PEDF protein has precluded its potential as a clinical therapy for GA since it would require frequent injections. Therefore, we describe administration of a PEDF gene, comparing and contrasting delivery routes, viral and nonviral vectors, and consider the critical challenges for PEDF as a neuroprotectant for GA.