Shiva-1: in vitro and in vivo tests of the effects of a novel, synthetic, lytic peptide on ocular cells

An investigation was undertaken to determine the toxicity of an intravitreal injection of a novel peptide drug, Shiva-1, in rabbits. The drug, a synthetic peptide modeled after lytic peptides secreted by certain insects, has antiproliferative and antibacterial properties. Initial in vitro experiments showed that the drug, at a concentration of 100 microM, was toxic to both Y-79 retinoblastoma cells and human retinal pigment epithelial cells. A wide range of doses (6-1200 micrograms) was injected into the rabbit vitreous in an attempt to determine the maximum tolerated dose. Retinal toxicity was evaluated clinically, by electroretinography, and by light microscopy. Some localized toxicity was evident at 200 micrograms; all doses of 240 micrograms and above were toxic. While the drug appears to exhibit a narrow range between effective and toxic doses, the results suggest that this and other peptides of similar design merit further investigation for the treatment of proliferative and infectious diseases of the eye.