1
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Lu Q, Wright A, Pan ZH. AAV dose-dependent transduction efficiency in retinal ganglion cells and functional efficacy of optogenetic vision restoration. Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41434-024-00485-7. [PMID: 39237697 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-024-00485-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Optogenetics is a promising approach for restoring vision to the blind after photoreceptor degeneration. The ability to restore vision through AAV-mediated delivery of light-sensitive proteins, especially channelrhodopsins, into retinal ganglion cells has been extensively demonstrated in animal models. For clinical application, knowledge of viral dose-dependent functional efficacy is desired. In this study, using a triple-knockout blind mouse model and a highly light-sensitive channelrhodopsin variant, we evaluated viral dose-dependent vision restoration through retinal ganglion cell expression by using optomotor behavioral assays. Our results show that both the restored light sensitivity and visual acuity reached peak levels at a medial viral dose of 108 vg. With increasing dose, transduction efficiency continued to increase while protein expression peaked at the dose of ~109 vg and declined at higher doses. Also, a significant increase in retinal gliosis and inflammatory responses started at the dose of ~109 vg, and a marked increase was observed at the dose of ~1010. These results provide valuable insights into viral dose design for clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Anna Wright
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Zhuo-Hua Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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2
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Fine I, Boynton GM. A virtual patient simulation modeling the neural and perceptual effects of human visual cortical stimulation, from pulse trains to percepts. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17400. [PMID: 39075065 PMCID: PMC11286872 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65337-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of cortical sight restoration prostheses is making rapid progress with three clinical trials of visual cortical prostheses underway. However, as yet, we have only limited insight into the perceptual experiences produced by these implants. Here we describe a computational model or 'virtual patient', based on the neurophysiological architecture of V1, which successfully predicts the perceptual experience of participants across a wide range of previously published human cortical stimulation studies describing the location, size, brightness and spatiotemporal shape of electrically induced percepts in humans. Our simulations suggest that, in the foreseeable future the perceptual quality of cortical prosthetic devices is likely to be limited by the neurophysiological organization of visual cortex, rather than engineering constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ione Fine
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195, USA.
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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3
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Stiles NRB, Choupan J, Ameri H, Patel VR, Shi Y. Visual Cortical Thickness Increases with Prolonged Artificial Vision Restoration. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.06.26.24309493. [PMID: 38978654 PMCID: PMC11230327 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.26.24309493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The Argus II retinal prosthesis restores visual perception to late blind patients. It has been shown that structural changes occur in the brain due to late-onset blindness, including cortical thinning in visual regions of the brain. Following vision restoration, it is not yet known whether these visual regions are reinvigorated and regain a normal cortical thickness or retain the diminished thickness from blindness. We evaluated the cortical thicknesses of ten Argus II Retinal Prostheses patients, ten blind patients, and thirteen sighted participants. The Argus II patients on average had a thicker left Cuneus Cortex and Lateral Occipital Cortex relative to the blind patients. The duration of the Argus II use (time since implant in active users) significantly partially correlated with thicker visual cortical regions in the left hemisphere. Furthermore, in the two case studies (scanned before and after implantation), the patient with longer device use (44.5 months) had an increase in the cortical thickness of visual regions, whereas the shorter-using patient did not (6.5 months). Finally, a third case, scanned at three time points post-implantation, showed an increase in cortical thickness in the Lateral Occipital Cortex between 43.5 and 57 months, which was maintained even after 3 years of disuse (106 months). Overall, the Argus II patients' cortical thickness was on average significantly rejuvenated in two higher visual regions and, patients using the implant for a longer duration had thicker visual regions. This research raises the possibility of structural plasticity reversing visual cortical atrophy in late-blind patients with prolonged vision restoration.
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4
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Stoddart PR, Begeng JM, Tong W, Ibbotson MR, Kameneva T. Nanoparticle-based optical interfaces for retinal neuromodulation: a review. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1360870. [PMID: 38572073 PMCID: PMC10987880 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1360870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Degeneration of photoreceptors in the retina is a leading cause of blindness, but commonly leaves the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and/or bipolar cells extant. Consequently, these cells are an attractive target for the invasive electrical implants colloquially known as "bionic eyes." However, after more than two decades of concerted effort, interfaces based on conventional electrical stimulation approaches have delivered limited efficacy, primarily due to the current spread in retinal tissue, which precludes high-acuity vision. The ideal prosthetic solution would be less invasive, provide single-cell resolution and an ability to differentiate between different cell types. Nanoparticle-mediated approaches can address some of these requirements, with particular attention being directed at light-sensitive nanoparticles that can be accessed via the intrinsic optics of the eye. Here we survey the available known nanoparticle-based optical transduction mechanisms that can be exploited for neuromodulation. We review the rapid progress in the field, together with outstanding challenges that must be addressed to translate these techniques to clinical practice. In particular, successful translation will likely require efficient delivery of nanoparticles to stable and precisely defined locations in the retinal tissues. Therefore, we also emphasize the current literature relating to the pharmacokinetics of nanoparticles in the eye. While considerable challenges remain to be overcome, progress to date shows great potential for nanoparticle-based interfaces to revolutionize the field of visual prostheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R. Stoddart
- School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
| | - James M. Begeng
- School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wei Tong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Physics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael R. Ibbotson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tatiana Kameneva
- School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
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5
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Vingolo EM, Mascolo S, Miccichè F, Manco G. Retinitis Pigmentosa: From Pathomolecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:189. [PMID: 38276069 PMCID: PMC10819364 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disease, in which mutations in different types of genes lead to the death of photoreceptors and the loss of visual function. Although retinitis pigmentosa is the most common type of inherited retinal dystrophy, a clear line of therapy has not yet been defined. In this review, we will focus on the therapeutic aspect and attempt to define the advantages and disadvantages of the protocols of different therapies. The role of some therapies, such as antioxidant agents or gene therapy, has been established for years now. Many clinical trials on different genes and mutations causing RP have been conducted, and the approval of voretigene nepavorec by the FDA has been an important step forward. Nonetheless, even if gene therapy is the most promising type of treatment for these patients, other innovative strategies, such as stem cell transplantation or hyperbaric oxygen therapy, have been shown to be safe and improve visual quality during clinical trials. The treatment of this disease remains a challenge, to which we hope to find a solution as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simona Mascolo
- Sense Organs Department, UOSD of Ophtalmology, University la Sapienza of Rome, Polo Pontino-Ospedale A. Fiorini, 4019 Terracina, Italy; (E.M.V.); (F.M.); (G.M.)
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6
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Parnami K, Bhattacharyya A. Current approaches to vision restoration using optogenetic therapy. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1236826. [PMID: 37663125 PMCID: PMC10469018 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1236826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited progressive degeneration of photoreceptors such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common cause of blindness leading to severe vision impairment affecting ~1 in 5,000 people worldwide. Although the function and morphology of the photoreceptors get disrupted, there is evidence that the inner retinal neurons such as bipolar cells and the retinal ganglion cells are left intact until later stages. Among several innovative therapeutic options aiming to restore vision, optogenetic therapy can bestow light sensitivity to remaining retinal neurons by ectopic expression of light-sensitive proteins. Since the advent of this technique, a diverse class of opsins (microbial and mammalian opsins), chimeric proteins, ligand-gated ion channels, and switchable opsins have been used to study their potential in vision restoration. These proteins differ in their excitation spectra, response kinetics, and signal amplification cascade. Although most of the studies have reported high fidelity of responses in the retina, only a handful of them have achieved functional vision in the visual cortex. This review is a summary of the visuocortical and behavioral responses after optogenetic treatment of the degenerated retina. This clarifies to what extent improved and meaningful vision can be obtained for therapeutic efficacy and continued clinical progress.
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Sidhu S, Persad PJ, Lam BL, Zann KL, Gregori NZ. Current Assistive Devices Usage and Recommendations for a Future Artificial Vision Prosthesis among Patients with Severe Visual Impairment Due to Inherited Retinal Diseases. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5283. [PMID: 37629325 PMCID: PMC10455651 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12165283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) utilize various adaptive techniques and devices designed to assist them with activities of daily living (ADLs). The purpose of this study was to assess the assistive devices used by patients with IRDs, the difficulties they face despite these devices, and their recommendations for a future visual prosthesis. In collaboration with blind patients, an online survey was developed and administered to adults with IRDs and visual acuities of 20/400 to no light perception in the better-seeing eye. We analyzed data from 121 survey respondents (aged 18 to >80 years). Five respondents were Argus II prosthesis recipients. The most commonly used aids were cellular phones/tablets for reading (63.6%) as well as a sighted guide (75.0%) and a cane (71.4%) for mobility. Despite current assistive devices, participants reported continued difficulty with ADLs. Improved navigation, reading, and facial recognition were ranked the most desirable features for future visual prostheses. Argus II recipients suggested technology with improved ability to recognize objects and obstacles, detect movement, and cut out busy backgrounds. These insights are valuable in shaping the design of future prosthetic devices tailored to the needs of IRD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Sidhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.S.); (P.J.P.); (B.L.L.)
- UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Patrice J. Persad
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.S.); (P.J.P.); (B.L.L.)
| | - Byron L. Lam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.S.); (P.J.P.); (B.L.L.)
| | - Kasey L. Zann
- Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA;
| | - Ninel Z. Gregori
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (S.S.); (P.J.P.); (B.L.L.)
- Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA;
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8
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Gopal L. Strategies for management of retinal degenerative disorders. Indian J Ophthalmol 2023; 71:2932-2933. [PMID: 37530257 PMCID: PMC10538834 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_1683_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lingam Gopal
- Department of Vitreo Retinal Services, Medical Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Ophthalmology, National university hospital, Singapore. E-mail:
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9
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Bonaventura J, Boehm MA, Jedema HP, Solis O, Pignatelli M, Song X, Lu H, Richie CT, Zhang S, Gomez JL, Lam S, Morales M, Gharbawie OA, Pomper MG, Stein EA, Bradberry CW, Michaelides M. Expression of the excitatory opsin ChRERα can be traced longitudinally in rat and nonhuman primate brains with PET imaging. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadd1014. [PMID: 37494470 PMCID: PMC10938262 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.add1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics is a widely used technology with potential for translational research. A critical component of such applications is the ability to track the location of the transduced opsin in vivo. To address this problem, we engineered an excitatory opsin, ChRERα (hChR2(134R)-V5-ERα-LBD), that could be visualized using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in a noninvasive, longitudinal, and quantitative manner. ChRERα consists of the prototypical excitatory opsin channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the human estrogen receptor α (ERα). ChRERα showed conserved ChR2 functionality and high affinity for [18F]16α-fluoroestradiol (FES), an FDA-approved PET radiopharmaceutical. Experiments in rats demonstrated that adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of ChRERα enables neural circuit manipulation in vivo and that ChRERα expression could be monitored using FES-PET imaging. In vivo experiments in nonhuman primates (NHPs) confirmed that ChRERα expression could be monitored at the site of AAV injection in the primary motor cortex and in long-range neuronal terminals for up to 80 weeks. The anatomical connectivity map of the primary motor cortex identified by FES-PET imaging of ChRERα expression overlapped with a functional connectivity map identified using resting state fMRI in a separate cohort of NHPs. Overall, our results demonstrate that ChRERα expression can be mapped longitudinally in the mammalian brain using FES-PET imaging and can be used for neural circuit modulation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Bonaventura
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Neuropharmacology and Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia 08907, Spain
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Matthew A. Boehm
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, USA
| | - Hank P. Jedema
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Oscar Solis
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Marco Pignatelli
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xiaowei Song
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Hanbing Lu
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Section, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Christopher T. Richie
- Genetic Engineering and Viral Vector Core, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Shiliang Zhang
- Confocal and Electron Microscopy Core, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Juan L. Gomez
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Sherry Lam
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Marisela Morales
- Neuronal Networks Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Omar A. Gharbawie
- Systems Neuroscience Center, Departments of Neurobiology and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Martin G. Pomper
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Elliot A. Stein
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Charles W. Bradberry
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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10
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Toms M, Ward N, Moosajee M. Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 2 Group E Member 3 (NR2E3): Role in Retinal Development and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1325. [PMID: 37510230 PMCID: PMC10379133 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
NR2E3 is a nuclear hormone receptor gene required for the correct development of the retinal rod photoreceptors. Expression of NR2E3 protein in rod cell precursors suppresses cone-specific gene expression and, in concert with other transcription factors including NRL, activates the expression of rod-specific genes. Pathogenic variants involving NR2E3 cause a spectrum of retinopathies, including enhanced S-cone syndrome, Goldmann-Favre syndrome, retinitis pigmentosa, and clumped pigmentary retinal degeneration, with limited evidence of genotype-phenotype correlations. A common feature of NR2E3-related disease is an abnormally high number of cone photoreceptors that are sensitive to short wavelength light, the S-cones. This characteristic has been supported by mouse studies, which have also revealed that loss of Nr2e3 function causes photoreceptors to develop as cells that are intermediate between rods and cones. While there is currently no available cure for NR2E3-related retinopathies, there are a number of emerging therapeutic strategies under investigation, including the use of viral gene therapy and gene editing, that have shown promise for the future treatment of patients with NR2E3 variants and other inherited retinal diseases. This review provides a detailed overview of the current understanding of the role of NR2E3 in normal development and disease, and the associated clinical phenotypes, animal models, and therapeutic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Toms
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
- Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Natasha Ward
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
- Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, UK
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11
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Fine I, Boynton GM. Pulse trains to percepts: A virtual patient describing the perceptual effects of human visual cortical stimulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.18.532424. [PMID: 36993519 PMCID: PMC10055195 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.18.532424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The field of cortical sight restoration prostheses is making rapid progress with three clinical trials of visual cortical prostheses underway. However, as yet, we have only limited insight into the perceptual experiences produced by these implants. Here we describe a computational model or 'virtual patient', based on the neurophysiological architecture of V1, which successfully predicts the perceptual experience of participants across a wide range of previously published cortical stimulation studies describing the location, size, brightness and spatiotemporal shape of electrically induced percepts in humans. Our simulations suggest that, in the foreseeable future the perceptual quality of cortical prosthetic devices is likely to be limited by the neurophysiological organization of visual cortex, rather than engineering constraints.
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12
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Ping A, Pan L, Zhang J, Xu K, Schriver KE, Zhu J, Roe AW. Targeted Optical Neural Stimulation: A New Era for Personalized Medicine. Neuroscientist 2023; 29:202-220. [PMID: 34865559 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211057047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Targeted optical neural stimulation comprises infrared neural stimulation and optogenetics, which affect the nervous system through induced thermal transients and activation of light-sensitive proteins, respectively. The main advantage of this pair of optical tools is high functional selectivity, which conventional electrical stimulation lacks. Over the past 15 years, the mechanism, safety, and feasibility of optical stimulation techniques have undergone continuous investigation and development. When combined with other methods like optical imaging and high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging, the translation of optical stimulation to clinical practice adds high value. We review the theoretical foundations and current state of optical stimulation, with a particular focus on infrared neural stimulation as a potential bridge linking optical stimulation to personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Ping
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Pan
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies (QAAS), Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Education Ministry & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kedi Xu
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies (QAAS), Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Education Ministry & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kenneth E Schriver
- Zhejiang University Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology (ZIINT), School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junming Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Anna Wang Roe
- Zhejiang University Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology (ZIINT), School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Hatakeyama A, Sugano E, Sayama T, Watanabe Y, Suzuki T, Tabata K, Endo Y, Sakajiri T, Fukuda T, Ozaki T, Tomita H. Properties of a Single Amino Acid Residue in the Third Transmembrane Domain Determine the Kinetics of Ambient Light-Sensitive Channelrhodopsin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24055054. [PMID: 36902480 PMCID: PMC10003734 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24055054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Channelrhodopsins have been utilized in gene therapy to restore vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and their channel kinetics are an important factor to consider in such applications. We investigated the channel kinetics of ComV1 variants with different amino acid residues at the 172nd position. Patch clamp methods were used to record the photocurrents induced by stimuli from diodes in HEK293 cells transfected with plasmid vectors. The channel kinetics (τon and τoff) were considerably altered by the replacement of the 172nd amino acid and was dependent on the amino acid characteristics. The size of amino acids at this position correlated with τon and decay, whereas the solubility correlated with τon and τoff. Molecular dynamic simulation indicated that the ion tunnel constructed by H172, E121, and R306 widened due to H172A variant, whereas the interaction between A172 and the surrounding amino acids weakened compared with H172. The bottleneck radius of the ion gate constructed with the 172nd amino acid affected the photocurrent and channel kinetics. The 172nd amino acid in ComV1 is a key residue for determining channel kinetics as its properties alter the radius of the ion gate. Our findings can be used to improve the channel kinetics of channelrhodopsins.
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14
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Kim HJ, Sritandi W, Xiong Z, Ho JS. Bioelectronic devices for light-based diagnostics and therapies. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011304. [PMID: 38505817 PMCID: PMC10903427 DOI: 10.1063/5.0102811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Light has broad applications in medicine as a tool for diagnosis and therapy. Recent advances in optical technology and bioelectronics have opened opportunities for wearable, ingestible, and implantable devices that use light to continuously monitor health and precisely treat diseases. In this review, we discuss recent progress in the development and application of light-based bioelectronic devices. We summarize the key features of the technologies underlying these devices, including light sources, light detectors, energy storage and harvesting, and wireless power and communications. We investigate the current state of bioelectronic devices for the continuous measurement of health and on-demand delivery of therapy. Finally, we highlight major challenges and opportunities associated with light-based bioelectronic devices and discuss their promise for enabling digital forms of health care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Weni Sritandi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - John S. Ho
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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15
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Lin F, Xie M, Sheng X, Guo L, Jia J, Wang Y. Research trends in the field of retinitis pigmentosa from 2002 to 2021: a 20 years bibliometric analysis. Int Ophthalmol 2022; 43:1825-1833. [DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02581-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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16
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Optogenetic restoration of high sensitivity vision with bReaChES, a red-shifted channelrhodopsin. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19312. [PMID: 36369267 PMCID: PMC9652428 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23572-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The common final pathway to blindness in many forms of retinal degeneration is the death of the light-sensitive primary retinal neurons. However, the normally light-insensitive second- and third-order neurons persist optogenetic gene therapy aims to restore sight by rendering such neurons light-sensitive. Here, we investigate whether bReaChES, a newly described high sensitivity Type I opsin with peak sensitivity to long-wavelength visible light, can restore vision in a murine model of severe early-onset retinal degeneration. Intravitreal injection of an adeno-associated viral vector carrying the sequence for bReaChES downstream of the calcium calmodulin kinase IIα promoter resulted in sustained retinal expression of bReaChES. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) expressing bReaChES generated action potentials at light levels consistent with bright indoor lighting (from 13.6 log photons cm-2 s-1). They could also detect flicker at up to 50 Hz, which approaches the upper temporal limit of human photopic vision. Topological response maps of bReaChES-expressing RGCs suggest that optogenetically activated RGCs may demonstrate similar topographical responses to RGCs stimulated by photoreceptor activation. Furthermore, treated dystrophic mice displayed restored cortical neuronal activity in response to light and rescued behavioral responses to a looming stimulus that simulated an aerial predator. Finally, human surgical retinal explants exposed to the bReaChES treatment vector demonstrated transduction. Together, these findings suggest that intravitreal gene therapy to deliver bReaChES to the retina may restore vision in human retinal degeneration in vivo at ecologically relevant light levels with spectral and temporal response characteristics approaching those of normal human photopic vision.
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17
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Rotov AY, Firsov ML. Optogenetic Prosthetization of Retinal Bipolar Cells. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093022060011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Although the experience of optogenetic retinal prosthetics
in animal models dates back to more than 16 years, the first results
obtained on humans have only been reported in the last year. Over this
period, the main challenges of prosthetics became clear and the
approaches to their solution were proposed. In this review, we aim
to present the achievements in the field of optogenetic prosthetization
of retinal bipolar cells with a focus mainly on relatively recent
publications. The review addresses the advantages and disadvantages
of bipolar cell prosthetics as compared to the alternative target,
retinal ganglion cells, and provides a comparative analysis of the
effectiveness of ionotropic light-sensitive proteins (channelrhodopsins)
or metabotropic receptors (rhodopsins) as prosthetic tools.
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18
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De Silva SR, Moore AT. Optogenetic approaches to therapy for inherited retinal degenerations. J Physiol 2022; 600:4623-4632. [PMID: 35908243 DOI: 10.1113/jp282076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal degenerations such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) affect around one in 4000 people and are the leading cause of blindness in working age adults in several countries. In these typically monogenic conditions, there is progressive degeneration of photoreceptors; however, inner retinal neurons such as bipolar cells and ganglion cells remain largely structurally intact, even in end-stage disease. Therapeutic approaches aiming to stimulate these residual cells, independent of the underlying genetic cause, could potentially restore visual function in patients with advanced vision loss, and benefit many more patients than therapies directed at the specific gene implicated in each disorder. One approach investigated for this purpose is that of optogenetics, a method of neuromodulation that utilises light to activate neurons engineered to ectopically express a light-sensitive protein. Using gene therapy via adeno-associated viral vectors, a range of photosensitive proteins have been expressed in remaining retinal cells in advanced retinal degeneration with in vivo studies demonstrating restoration of visual function. Developing an effective optogenetic strategy requires consideration of multiple factors, including the light-sensitive protein that is used, the vector and method for gene delivery, and the target cell for expression because these in turn may affect the quality of vision that can be restored. Currently, at least four clinical trials are ongoing to investigate optogenetic therapies in patients, with the ultimate aim of reversing visual loss in end-stage disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha R De Silva
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford, UK.,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony T Moore
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.,Ophthalmology Department, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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19
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Abstract
In 2001, the first large animal was successfully treated with a gene therapy that restored its vision. Lancelot, the Briard dog that was treated, suffered from a human childhood blindness called Leber's congenital amaurosis type 2. Sixteen years later, the gene therapy was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The success of this gene therapy in dogs led to a fast expansion of the ocular gene therapy field. By now every class of inherited retinal dystrophy has been treated in at least one animal model and many clinical trials have been initiated in humans. In this study, we review the status of viral gene therapies for the retina, with a focus on ongoing human clinical trials. It is likely that in the next decade we will see several new viral gene therapies approved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Yun Cheng
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Ophthalmology, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States;
| | - Claudio Punzo
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Ophthalmology, 368 Plantation Street, Albert Sherman Center, AS6-2041, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, 01605;
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20
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Panikker P, Roy S, Ghosh A, Poornachandra B, Ghosh A. Advancing precision medicines for ocular disorders: Diagnostic genomics to tailored therapies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:906482. [PMID: 35911417 PMCID: PMC9334564 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.906482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful sequencing of the human genome and evolving functional knowledge of gene products has taken genomic medicine to the forefront, soon combining broadly with traditional diagnostics, therapeutics, and prognostics in patients. Recent years have witnessed an extraordinary leap in our understanding of ocular diseases and their respective genetic underpinnings. As we are entering the age of genomic medicine, rapid advances in genome sequencing, gene delivery, genome surgery, and computational genomics enable an ever-increasing capacity to provide a precise and robust diagnosis of diseases and the development of targeted treatment strategies. Inherited retinal diseases are a major source of blindness around the world where a large number of causative genes have been identified, paving the way for personalized diagnostics in the clinic. Developments in functional genetics and gene transfer techniques has also led to the first FDA approval of gene therapy for LCA, a childhood blindness. Many such retinal diseases are the focus of various clinical trials, making clinical diagnoses of retinal diseases, their underlying genetics and the studies of natural history important. Here, we review methodologies for identifying new genes and variants associated with various ocular disorders and the complexities associated with them. Thereafter we discuss briefly, various retinal diseases and the application of genomic technologies in their diagnosis. We also discuss the strategies, challenges, and potential of gene therapy for the treatment of inherited and acquired retinal diseases. Additionally, we discuss the translational aspects of gene therapy, the important vector types and considerations for human trials that may help advance personalized therapeutics in ophthalmology. Retinal disease research has led the application of precision diagnostics and precision therapies; therefore, this review provides a general understanding of the current status of precision medicine in ophthalmology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shomereeta Roy
- Grow Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
| | - Anuprita Ghosh
- Grow Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- Grow Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
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21
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Nelson TS, Simpson C, Dyka F, Dinculescu A, Smith WC. A Modified Arrestin1 Increases Lactate Production in the Retina and Slows Retinal Degeneration. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:695-707. [PMID: 35081746 PMCID: PMC9347377 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucose metabolism in the retina is carefully orchestrated, with glucose being delivered to photoreceptors from the choroidal circulation through the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). In photoreceptors, glucose is processed principally by aerobic glycolysis, from which the lactate byproduct is provided to the RPE and Müller glia for their energetic needs. In this study, we utilize a modified arrestin1 protein to enhance the glycolytic output of lactate from rod photoreceptors through disinhibition of enolase1 activity with the goal being to use this increased lactate production as a gene-agnostic approach to slowing retinal degeneration. Mouse arrestin1 with E362G/D363G amino acid substitutions (referred to as "ArrGG") was packaged into AAV and tested for safety and for efficacy in increasing retinal lactate production. Overexpression of ArrGG in C57BL/6J mice did not result in any detectable changes in either electroretinogram (ERG) function or photoreceptor survival as measured by outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness. However, mouse retinas expressing ArrGG showed a ∼25% increase in the rate of lactate secretion. Therefore, AAV-ArrGG was delivered intravitreally to heterozygous P23H rhodopsin knockin mice (RhoP23H/+) to determine if enhancing glycolysis in photoreceptors can slow retinal degeneration in this animal model of retinitis pigmentosa. We found that the expression of ArrGG in these mice slowed the decline of both scotopic and photopic ERG function. Correspondingly, there was significant preservation of ONL thickness in RhoP23H/+ mice treated with ArrGG compared with controls. In conclusion, our studies show that expressing ArrGG in C57BL/6J mouse retina results in an increase in lactate production, consistent with an upregulation of glycolysis. In the P23H rhodopsin model of retinitis pigmentosa, the expression of ArrGG led to significant preservation of photoreceptor function and slowing of retinal degeneration. These findings suggest that enhancing glycolysis by targeting increased enolase1 activity with a modified arrestin1 in photoreceptors may offer a therapeutic approach to slowing retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany S Nelson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Chiab Simpson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Frank Dyka
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Astra Dinculescu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - W Clay Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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22
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Kim S, Roh H, Im M. Artificial Visual Information Produced by Retinal Prostheses. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:911754. [PMID: 35734216 PMCID: PMC9208577 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.911754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous retinal prosthetic systems have demonstrated somewhat useful vision can be restored to individuals who had lost their sight due to outer retinal degenerative diseases. Earlier prosthetic studies have mostly focused on the confinement of electrical stimulation for improved spatial resolution and/or the biased stimulation of specific retinal ganglion cell (RGC) types for selective activation of retinal ON/OFF pathway for enhanced visual percepts. To better replicate normal vision, it would be also crucial to consider information transmission by spiking activities arising in the RGC population since an incredible amount of visual information is transferred from the eye to the brain. In previous studies, however, it has not been well explored how much artificial visual information is created in response to electrical stimuli delivered by microelectrodes. In the present work, we discuss the importance of the neural information for high-quality artificial vision. First, we summarize the previous literatures which have computed information transmission rates from spiking activities of RGCs in response to visual stimuli. Second, we exemplify a couple of studies which computed the neural information from electrically evoked responses. Third, we briefly introduce how information rates can be computed in the representative two ways - direct method and reconstruction method. Fourth, we introduce in silico approaches modeling artificial retinal neural networks to explore the relationship between amount of information and the spiking patterns. Lastly, we conclude our review with clinical implications to emphasize the necessity of considering visual information transmission for further improvement of retinal prosthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sein Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeonhee Roh
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
- School of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Maesoon Im
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
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23
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Ghoraba HH, Akhavanrezayat A, Karaca I, Yavari N, Lajevardi S, Hwang J, Regenold J, Matsumiya W, Pham B, Zaidi M, Mobasserian A, DongChau AT, Or C, Yasar C, Mishra K, Do D, Nguyen QD. Ocular Gene Therapy: A Literature Review with Special Focus on Immune and Inflammatory Responses. Clin Ophthalmol 2022; 16:1753-1771. [PMID: 35685379 PMCID: PMC9173725 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s364200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hashem H Ghoraba
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Amir Akhavanrezayat
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Irmak Karaca
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Negin Yavari
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Sherin Lajevardi
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jaclyn Hwang
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan Regenold
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Wataru Matsumiya
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Brandon Pham
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Moosa Zaidi
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Azadeh Mobasserian
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Anthony Toan DongChau
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Or
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Cigdem Yasar
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kapil Mishra
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Diana Do
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Quan Dong Nguyen
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Correspondence: Quan Dong Nguyen, Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, 2370 Watson Court, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA, USA, Tel +1 6507257245, Fax +1 6507368232, Email
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24
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Brillante S, Galasso C, Lauritano C, Carrella S. From the Sea for the Sight: Marine Derived Products for Human Vision. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:892764. [PMID: 35615590 PMCID: PMC9124809 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.892764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual impairment, at different degrees, produce a reduction of patient wellness which negatively impact in many aspects of working and social activities. Eye diseases can have common cellular damages or dysfunctions (e.g., inflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal degeneration), and can target several eye compartments, primarily cornea and retina. Marine organisms exhibit high chemical diversity due to the wide range of marine ecosystems where they live; thus, molecules of marine origin are gaining increasing attention for the development of new mutation-independent therapeutic strategies, to reduce the progression of retina pathologies having a multifactorial nature and characterized by high genetic heterogeneity. This review aims to describe marine natural products reported in the recent literature that showed promising therapeutic potential for the development of new drugs to be used to contrast the progression of eye pathologies. These natural compounds exhibited beneficial and protective properties on different in vitro cell systems and on in vivo models, through different mechanisms of action, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiangiogenic/vasoprotective or cytoprotective effects. We report compounds produced by several marine source (e.g., sponges, algae, shrimps) that can be administrated as food or with target-specific strategies. In addition, we describe and discuss the uses of opsin family proteins from marine organisms for the optimization of new optogenetic therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Galasso
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Calabria Marine Centre, Amendolara, Italy
| | - Chiara Lauritano
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Sabrina Carrella
- Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sabrina Carrella
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25
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Liu W, Liu S, Li P, Yao K. Retinitis Pigmentosa: Progress in Molecular Pathology and Biotherapeutical Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094883. [PMID: 35563274 PMCID: PMC9101511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is genetically heterogeneous retinopathy caused by photoreceptor cell death and retinal pigment epithelial atrophy that eventually results in blindness in bilateral eyes. Various photoreceptor cell death types and pathological phenotypic changes that have been disclosed in RP demand in-depth research of its pathogenic mechanism that may account for inter-patient heterogeneous responses to mainstream drug treatment. As the primary method for studying the genetic characteristics of RP, molecular biology has been widely used in disease diagnosis and clinical trials. Current technology iterations, such as gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and optogenetics, are advancing towards precise diagnosis and clinical applications. Specifically, technologies, such as effective delivery vectors, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and iPSC-based cell transplantation, hasten the pace of personalized precision medicine in RP. The combination of conventional therapy and state-of-the-art medication is promising in revolutionizing RP treatment strategies. This article provides an overview of the latest research on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of retinitis pigmentosa, aiming for a convenient reference of what has been achieved so far.
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26
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Daich Varela M, Cabral de Guimaraes TA, Georgiou M, Michaelides M. Leber congenital amaurosis/early-onset severe retinal dystrophy: current management and clinical trials. Br J Ophthalmol 2022; 106:445-451. [PMID: 33712480 PMCID: PMC8961750 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-318483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a severe congenital/early-onset retinal dystrophy. Given its monogenic nature and the immunological and anatomical privileges of the eye, LCA has been particularly targeted by cutting-edge research. In this review, we describe the current management of LCA, and highlight the clinical trials that are on-going and planned. RPE65-related LCA pivotal trials, which culminated in the first Food and Drug Administration-approved and European Medicines Agency-approved ocular gene therapy, have paved the way for a new era of genetic treatments in ophthalmology. At present, multiple clinical trials are available worldwide applying different techniques, aiming to achieve better outcomes and include more genes and variants. Genetic therapy is not only implementing gene supplementation by the use of adeno-associated viral vectors, but also clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-mediated gene editing and post-transcriptional regulation through antisense oligonucleotides. Pharmacological approaches intending to decrease photoreceptor degeneration by supplementing 11-cis-retinal and cell therapy's aim to replace the retinal pigment epithelium, providing a trophic and metabolic retinal structure, are also under investigation. Furthermore, optoelectric devices and optogenetics are also an option for patients with residual visual pathway. After more than 10 years since the first patient with LCA received gene therapy, we also discuss future challenges, such as the overlap between different techniques and the long-term durability of efficacy. The next 5 years are likely to be key to whether genetic therapies will achieve their full promise, and whether stem cell/cellular therapies will break through into clinical trial evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malena Daich Varela
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
| | | | - Michalis Georgiou
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
| | - Michel Michaelides
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK
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27
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Advances in Ophthalmic Optogenetics: Approaches and Applications. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020269. [PMID: 35204770 PMCID: PMC8961521 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in optogenetics hold promise for vision restoration in degenerative eye diseases. Optogenetics refers to techniques that use light to control the cellular activity of targeted cells. Although optogenetics is a relatively new technology, multiple therapeutic options are already being explored in pre-clinical and phase I/II clinical trials with the aim of developing novel, safe, and effective treatments for major blinding eye diseases, such as glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa. Optogenetic approaches to visual restoration are primarily aimed at replacing lost or dysfunctional photoreceptors by inserting light-sensitive proteins into downstream retinal neurons that have no intrinsic light sensitivity. Such approaches are attractive because they are agnostic to the genetic causes of retinal degeneration, which raises hopes that all forms of retinal dystrophic and degenerative diseases could become treatable. Optogenetic strategies can also have a far-reaching impact on translational research by serving as important tools to study the pathogenesis of retinal degeneration and to identify clinically relevant therapeutic targets. For example, the CRY-CIBN optogenetic system has been recently applied to animal models of glaucoma, suggesting a potential role of OCRL in the regulation of intraocular pressure in trabecular meshwork. As optogenetic strategies are being intensely investigated, it appears crucial to consider the opportunities and challenges such therapies may offer. Here, we review the more recent promising optogenetic molecules, vectors, and applications of optogenetics for the treatment of retinal degeneration and glaucoma. We also summarize the preliminary results of ongoing clinical trials for visual restoration.
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28
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Peng Y, Schöneberg N, Esposito MS, Geiger JRP, Sharott A, Tovote P. Current approaches to characterize micro- and macroscale circuit mechanisms of Parkinson's disease in rodent models. Exp Neurol 2022; 351:114008. [PMID: 35149118 PMCID: PMC7612860 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Accelerating technological progress in experimental neuroscience is increasing the scale as well as specificity of both observational and perturbational approaches to study circuit physiology. While these techniques have also been used to study disease mechanisms, a wider adoption of these approaches in the field of experimental neurology would greatly facilitate our understanding of neurological dysfunctions and their potential treatments at cellular and circuit level. In this review, we will introduce classic and novel methods ranging from single-cell electrophysiological recordings to state-of-the-art calcium imaging and cell-type specific optogenetic or chemogenetic stimulation. We will focus on their application in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease while also presenting their use in the context of motor control and basal ganglia function. By highlighting the scope and limitations of each method, we will discuss how they can be used to study pathophysiological mechanisms at local and global circuit levels and how novel frameworks can help to bridge these scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangfan Peng
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TH, United Kingdom.
| | - Nina Schöneberg
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Maria Soledad Esposito
- Medical Physics Department, Centro Atomico Bariloche, Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica (CNEA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET), Av. E. Bustillo 9500, R8402AGP San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina
| | - Jörg R P Geiger
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrew Sharott
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TH, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Tovote
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany; Center for Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany.
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29
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Abstract
Research on type 1 rhodopsins spans now a history of 50 years. Originally, just archaeal ion pumps and sensors have been discovered. However, with modern genetic techniques and gene sequencing tools, more and more proteins were identified in all kingdoms of life. Spectroscopic and other biophysical studies revealed quite diverse functions. Ion pumps, sensors, and channels are imprinted in the same seven-helix transmembrane protein scaffold carrying a retinal prosthetic group. In this review, molecular biology methods are described, which enabled the elucidation of their function and structure leading to optogenetic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Engelhard
- Department Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
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30
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Buchanan G. Seizing After Freezing: Layer-, Site-, and Cell-Type-Specific Rewiring Mediates Epileptogenesis Following Cortical Freeze Lesion in Mouse. Epilepsy Curr 2021; 21:199-201. [PMID: 34867104 PMCID: PMC8609583 DOI: 10.1177/15357597211004273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Circuit Mechanisms Underlying Epileptogenesis in a Mouse Model of Focal Cortical Malformation Yang W, Williams A, Sun QQ. Curr Biol. 2021;31(2):334-345. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.29 The way in which aberrant neural circuits contribute to epilepsy remains unclear. To elucidate this question, we dissected the circuit mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis using a mouse model of focal cortical malformation with spontaneous epileptiform discharges. We found that spontaneous spike-wave discharges and optogenetically induced hyperexcitable bursts in vivo were present in a cortical region distal to (>0.7 mm) freeze-lesion-induced microgyrus, instead of near the microgyrus. Channelrhodopsin-2-assisted circuit mapping revealed ectopic interlaminar excitatory input from infragranular layers to layers 2/3 pyramidal neurons as the key component of hyperexcitable circuitry. This hyperactivity disrupted the balance between excitation and inhibition and was more prominent in the cortical region distal to the microgyrus. Consistently, the inhibition from both parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PV) and somatostatin-positive interneurons (SOM) to pyramidal neurons were altered in a layer- and site-specific fashion. Finally, closed-loop optogenetic stimulation of SOM, but not PV, terminated spontaneous spike-wave discharges. Together, these results demonstrate the occurrence of highly site- and cell-type-specific synaptic reorganization underlying epileptic cortical circuits and provide new insights into potential treatment strategies.
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Too LK, Simunovic MP. Retinal Stem/Progenitor Cells Derived From Adult Müller Glia for the Treatment of Retinal Degeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:749131. [PMID: 34660607 PMCID: PMC8511496 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.749131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, progress in our understanding of glial function has been revolutionary. Within the retina, a subset of glial cells termed the “Müller glia (MG),” have been demonstrated to play key roles in retinal homeostasis, structure and metabolism. Additionally, MG have also been shown to possess the regenerative capacity that varies across species. In teleost fish, MG respond to injury by reprogramming into stem-like cells capable of regenerating lost tissue. The expression of stem/progenitor cell markers has been demonstrated broadly in mammalian MG, including human MG, but their in vivo regenerative capacity appears evolutionarily limited. Advances in stem cell therapy have progressively elucidated critical mechanisms underlying innate MG reprogramming in teleost fish, which have shown promising results when applied to rodents. Furthermore, when cultured ex vivo, MG from mammals can differentiate into several retina cell types. In this review, we will explore the reparative and regenerative potential of MG in cellular therapy approaches, and outline our current understanding of embryonic retinal development, the stem-cell potential of MG in adult vertebrate retina (including human), and microenvironmental cues that guide MG reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lay Khoon Too
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew P Simunovic
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Eye Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Massengill MT, Lewin AS. Gene Therapy for Rhodopsin-associated Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2021; 61:79-96. [PMID: 34584046 PMCID: PMC8478325 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Hathibelagal AR, Bharadwaj SR, Jalali S, Subramanian A, Barbur JL. Evaluation of photoreceptor function in inherited retinal diseases using rod- and cone-enhanced flicker stimuli. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2021; 41:874-884. [PMID: 33834501 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Clinical assessment of rod and cone photoreceptor sensitivity often involves the use of extended dark adaptation times to minimise cone involvement or the use of bright adapting backgrounds to saturate rods. In this study we examine a new rod/cone sensitivity test, which requires minimal dark adaptation. The aim was to establish whether rod/cone sensitivity losses could be measured reliably in patients with retinal diseases that selectively affect rods or cones when compared to age-matched subjects with normal vision. METHODS Flicker modulation thresholds (FMTs) were measured psychophysically, using cone- and rod-enhanced stimuli located centrally, and in four quadrants, at 5° retinal eccentricity in 20 patients (age range: 10-41 years) with cone-dominated (Stargardt's disease or macular dystrophy; n = 13) and rod-dominated (retinitis pigmentosa; n = 7) disease. These data were compared against age-matched normals tested with identical stimuli. RESULTS Across all retinal locations, cone FMTs in cone-dominated diseases (Median ± IQR: 32.32 ± 28.15% for central location) were greater than a majority (83%; 49/59) of corresponding rod FMTs (18.7 ± 3.29%; p = 0.05) and cone FMTs of controls (4.24 ± 2.00%). Similarly, rod FMTs in rod-dominant disease (14.99 ± 22.58%) were greater than a majority (88%; 29/39) of the corresponding cone FMTs (9.09 ± 10.33%) (p = 0.13) and rod FMT of controls (6.80 ± 2.60 %). CONCLUSIONS Cone-specific deficits were larger than rod-specific deficits in cone-dominated diseases, and vice versa in rod-dominated disease. These results suggest that the new method of assessing photoreceptor sensitivity has potential application in detecting specific rod/cone losses without the need for dark adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amithavikram R Hathibelagal
- Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Sciences, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.,Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Center, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Shrikant R Bharadwaj
- Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Sciences, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.,Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Center, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Subhadra Jalali
- Srimati. Kanuri Santamma Centre for Vitreoretinal Diseases, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.,Jasti V Ramanamma Children's Eye Care Centre, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Ahalya Subramanian
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - John L Barbur
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
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Murenu E, Pavlou M, Richter L, Rapti K, Just S, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J, Tafrishi N, Hayes A, Scholey R, Lucas R, Büning H, Grimm D, Michalakis S. A universal protocol for isolating retinal ON bipolar cells across species via fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 20:587-600. [PMID: 33665228 PMCID: PMC7895692 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are characterized by progressive degeneration and loss of light-sensing photoreceptors. The most promising therapeutic approach for IRDs is gene supplementation therapy using viral vectors, which requires the presence of viable photoreceptors at the time of intervention. At later disease stages, photoreceptors are lost and can no longer be rescued with this approach. For these patients, conferring light-sensing abilities to the remaining interneurons of the ON circuit (i.e., ON bipolar cells) using optogenetic tools poses an alternative treatment strategy. Such treatments, however, are hampered by the lack of efficient gene delivery tools targeting ON bipolar cells, which in turn rely on the effective isolation of these cells to facilitate tool development. Herein, we describe a method to selectively isolate ON bipolar cells via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), based on the expression of two intracellular markers. We show that the method is compatible with highly sensitive downstream analyses and suitable for the isolation of ON bipolar cells from healthy as well as degenerated mouse retinas. Moreover, we demonstrate that this approach works effectively using non-human primate (NHP) retinal tissue, thereby offering a reliable pipeline for universal screening strategies that do not require inter-species adaptations or transgenic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Murenu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Marina Pavlou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Richter
- Core Facility Flow Cytometry, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kleopatra Rapti
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Just
- Laboratory for Infection Biology and Gene Transfer, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University and Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Neda Tafrishi
- Core Facility Flow Cytometry, Gene Center, BioSysM, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Andrew Hayes
- Center for Biological Timing & School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Rachel Scholey
- Center for Biological Timing & School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Robert Lucas
- Center for Biological Timing & School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Laboratory for Infection Biology and Gene Transfer, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stylianos Michalakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Frasson LT, Dalmaso B, Akamine PS, Kimura ET, Hamassaki DE, Del Debbio CB. Let-7, Lin28 and Hmga2 Expression in Ciliary Epithelium and Retinal Progenitor Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:31. [PMID: 33749722 PMCID: PMC7991968 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.3.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Ciliary epithelium (CE) of adult mammalian eyes contains quiescent retinal progenitor/stem cells that generate neurospheres in vitro and differentiate into retinal neurons. This ability doesn't evolve efficiently probably because of regulatory mechanisms, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) that control pluripotent, progenitor, and differentiation genes. Here we investigate the presence of Let-7 miRNAs and its regulator and target, Lin28 and Hmga2, in CE cells from neurospheres, newborns, and adult tissues. Methods Newborn and adult rats CE cells were dissected into pigmented and nonpigmented epithelium (PE and NPE). Newborn PE cells were cultured with growth factors to form neurospheres and we analyzed Let-7, Lin28a, and Hmga2 expression. During the neurospheres formation, we added chemically modified single-stranded oligonucleotides designed to bind and inhibit or mimic endogenous mature Let-7b and Let-7c. After seven days in culture, we analyzed neurospheres size, number and expression of Let-7, Lin28, and Hmga2. Results Let-7 miRNAs were expressed at low rates in newborn CE cells with significant increase in adult tissues, with higher levels on NPE cells, that does not present the stem cells reprogramming ability. The Lin28a and Hmga2 protein and transcripts were more expressed in newborns than adults cells, opposed to Let-7. Neurospheres presented higher Lin28 and Hmga2 expression than newborn and adult, but similar Let-7 than newborns. Let-7b inhibitor upregulated Hmga2 expression, whereas Let-7c mimics upregulated Lin28 and downregulated Hmga2. Conclusions This study shows the dynamic of Lin28-Let-7-Hmga regulatory axis in CE cells. These components may develop different roles during neurospheres formation and postnatal CE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Teixeira Frasson
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Barbara Dalmaso
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscilla Sayami Akamine
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edna Teruko Kimura
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dânia Emi Hamassaki
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina Beltrame Del Debbio
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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36
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Ocular delivery of CRISPR/Cas genome editing components for treatment of eye diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 168:181-195. [PMID: 32603815 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A variety of inherited or multifactorial ocular diseases call for novel treatment paradigms. The newly developed genome editing technology, CRISPR, has shown great promise in treating these diseases, but delivery of the CRISPR/Cas components to target ocular tissues and cells requires appropriate use of vectors and routes of administration to ensure safety, efficacy and specificity. Although adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are thus far the most commonly used tool for ocular gene delivery, sustained expression of CRISPR/Cas components may cause immune reactions and an increased risk of off-target editing. In this review, we summarize the ocular administration routes and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of viral and non-viral vectors for delivery of CRISPR/Cas components to the eye. We review the existing studies of CRISPR/Cas genome editing for ocular diseases and discuss the major challenges of the technology in ocular applications. We also discuss the most recently developed CRISPR tools such as base editing and prime editing which may be used for future ocular applications.
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Korecki AJ, Cueva-Vargas JL, Fornes O, Agostinone J, Farkas RA, Hickmott JW, Lam SL, Mathelier A, Zhou M, Wasserman WW, Di Polo A, Simpson EM. Human MiniPromoters for ocular-rAAV expression in ON bipolar, cone, corneal, endothelial, Müller glial, and PAX6 cells. Gene Ther 2021; 28:351-372. [PMID: 33531684 PMCID: PMC8222000 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00227-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Small and cell-type restricted promoters are important tools for basic and preclinical research, and clinical delivery of gene therapies. In clinical gene therapy, ophthalmic trials have been leading the field, with over 50% of ocular clinical trials using promoters that restrict expression based on cell type. Here, 19 human DNA MiniPromoters were bioinformatically designed for rAAV, tested by neonatal intravenous delivery in mouse, and successful MiniPromoters went on to be tested by intravitreal, subretinal, intrastromal, and/or intravenous delivery in adult mouse. We present promoter development as an overview for each cell type, but only show results in detail for the recommended MiniPromoters: Ple265 and Ple341 (PCP2) ON bipolar, Ple349 (PDE6H) cone, Ple253 (PITX3) corneal stroma, Ple32 (CLDN5) endothelial cells of the blood-retina barrier, Ple316 (NR2E1) Müller glia, and Ple331 (PAX6) PAX6 positive. Overall, we present a resource of new, redesigned, and improved MiniPromoters for ocular gene therapy that range in size from 784 to 2484 bp, and from weaker, equal, or stronger in strength relative to the ubiquitous control promoter smCBA. All MiniPromoters will be useful for therapies involving small regulatory RNA and DNA, and proteins ranging from 517 to 1084 amino acids, representing 62.9-90.2% of human proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J. Korecki
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Jorge L. Cueva-Vargas
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Oriol Fornes
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Jessica Agostinone
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Rachelle A. Farkas
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Jack W. Hickmott
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Siu Ling Lam
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Anthony Mathelier
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Michelle Zhou
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Wyeth W. Wasserman
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Adriana Di Polo
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Elizabeth M. Simpson
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
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Piri N, Grodsky J, Kaplan H. Gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa. Taiwan J Ophthalmol 2021; 11:348-351. [PMID: 35070662 PMCID: PMC8757518 DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_47_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodopsin-mediated autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common cause of RP in North America. There is no proven cure for the disease, and multiple approaches are being studied. Gene therapy is an evolving field in medicine and ophthalmology. In this review, we will go over the basic concept of gene therapy and the different types of gene therapy that are currently being studied to treat this disease.
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Quarta E, Cohen EJ, Bravi R, Minciacchi D. Future Portrait of the Athletic Brain: Mechanistic Understanding of Human Sport Performance Via Animal Neurophysiology of Motor Behavior. Front Syst Neurosci 2020; 14:596200. [PMID: 33281568 PMCID: PMC7705174 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2020.596200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sport performances are often showcases of skilled motor control. Efforts to understand the neural processes subserving such movements may teach us about general principles of behavior, similarly to how studies on neurological patients have guided early work in cognitive neuroscience. While investigations on non-human animal models offer valuable information on the neural dynamics of skilled motor control that is still difficult to obtain from humans, sport sciences have paid relatively little attention to these mechanisms. Similarly, knowledge emerging from the study of sport performance could inspire innovative experiments in animal neurophysiology, but the latter has been only partially applied. Here, we advocate that fostering interactions between these two seemingly distant fields, i.e., animal neurophysiology and sport sciences, may lead to mutual benefits. For instance, recording and manipulating the activity from neurons of behaving animals offer a unique viewpoint on the computations for motor control, with potentially untapped relevance for motor skills development in athletes. To stimulate such transdisciplinary dialog, in the present article, we also discuss steps for the reverse translation of sport sciences findings to animal models and the evaluation of comparability between animal models of a given sport and athletes. In the final section of the article, we envision that some approaches developed for animal neurophysiology could translate to sport sciences anytime soon (e.g., advanced tracking methods) or in the future (e.g., novel brain stimulation techniques) and could be used to monitor and manipulate motor skills, with implications for human performance extending well beyond sport.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Diego Minciacchi
- Physiological Sciences Section, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Selective knockdown of hexokinase 2 in rods leads to age-related photoreceptor degeneration and retinal metabolic remodeling. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:885. [PMID: 33082308 PMCID: PMC7576789 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03103-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptors, the primary site of phototransduction in the retina, require energy and metabolites to constantly renew their outer segments. They preferentially consume most glucose through aerobic glycolysis despite possessing abundant mitochondria and enzymes for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Exactly how photoreceptors balance aerobic glycolysis and mitochondrial OXPHOS to regulate their survival is still unclear. We crossed rhodopsin-Cre mice with hexokinase 2 (HK2)-floxed mice to study the effect of knocking down HK2, the first rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis, on retinal health and metabolic remodeling. Immunohistochemistry and Western blots were performed to study changes in photoreceptor-specific proteins and key enzymes in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Changes in retinal structure and function were studied by optical coherence tomography and electroretinography. Mass spectrometry was performed to profile changes in 13C-glucose-derived metabolites in glycolysis and the TCA cycle. We found that knocking down HK2 in rods led to age-related photoreceptor degeneration, evidenced by reduced expression of photoreceptor-specific proteins, age-related reductions of the outer nuclear layer, photoreceptor inner and outer segments and impaired electroretinographic responses. Loss of HK2 in rods led to upregulation of HK1, phosphorylation of pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme 2, mitochondrial stress proteins and enzymes in the TCA cycle. Mass spectrometry found that the deletion of HK2 in rods resulted in accumulation of 13C-glucose along with decreased pyruvate and increased metabolites in the TCA cycle. Our data suggest that HK2-mediated aerobic glycolysis is indispensable for the maintenance of photoreceptor structure and function and that long-term inhibition of glycolysis leads to photoreceptor degeneration.
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Maya-Vetencourt JF, Di Marco S, Mete M, Di Paolo M, Ventrella D, Barone F, Elmi A, Manfredi G, Desii A, Sannita WG, Bisti S, Lanzani G, Pertile G, Bacci ML, Benfenati F. Biocompatibility of a Conjugated Polymer Retinal Prosthesis in the Domestic Pig. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:579141. [PMID: 33195139 PMCID: PMC7605258 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.579141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The progressive degeneration of retinal photoreceptors is one of the most significant causes of blindness in humans. Conjugated polymers represent an attractive solution to the field of retinal prostheses, and a multi-layer fully organic prosthesis implanted subretinally in dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats was able to rescue visual functions. As a step toward human translation, we report here the fabrication and in vivo testing of a similar device engineered to adapt to the human-like size of the eye of the domestic pig, an excellent animal paradigm to test therapeutic strategies for photoreceptors degeneration. The active conjugated polymers were layered onto two distinct passive substrates, namely electro-spun silk fibroin (ESF) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Naive pigs were implanted subretinally with the active device in one eye, while the contralateral eye was sham implanted with substrate only. Retinal morphology and functionality were assessed before and after surgery by means of in vivo optical coherence tomography and full-field electroretinogram (ff-ERG) analysis. After the sacrifice, the retina morphology and inflammatory markers were analyzed by immunohistochemistry of the excised retinas. Surprisingly, ESF-based prostheses caused a proliferative vitreoretinopathy with disappearance of the ff-ERG b-wave in the implanted eyes. In contrast, PET-based active devices did not evoke significant inflammatory responses. As expected, the subretinal implantation of both PET only and the PET-based prosthesis locally decreased the thickness of the outer nuclear layer due to local photoreceptor loss. However, while the implantation of the PET only substrate decreased the ff-ERG b-wave amplitude with respect to the pre-implant ERG, the eyes implanted with the active device fully preserved the ERG responses, indicating an active compensation of the surgery-induced photoreceptor loss. Our findings highlight the possibility of developing a new generation of conjugated polymer/PET-based prosthetic devices that are highly biocompatible and potentially suitable for subretinal implantation in patients suffering from degenerative blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Fernando Maya-Vetencourt
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Marco
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy.,Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mete
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Mattia Di Paolo
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Domenico Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Barone
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Elmi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Manfredi
- Center for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Desii
- Center for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Walter G Sannita
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Bisti
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Consorzio Interuniversitario INBB, Rome, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Lanzani
- Center for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Grazia Pertile
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, San Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy
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42
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Millington-Ward S, Chadderton N, Berkeley M, Finnegan LK, Hanlon KS, Carrigan M, Humphries P, Kenna PF, Palfi A, Farrar GJ. Novel 199 base pair NEFH promoter drives expression in retinal ganglion cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16515. [PMID: 33020509 PMCID: PMC7536420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73257-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are known to be involved in several ocular disorders, including glaucoma and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), and hence represent target cells for gene therapies directed towards these diseases. Restricting gene therapeutics to the target cell type in many situations may be preferable compared to ubiquitous transgene expression, stimulating researchers to identify RGC-specific promoters, particularly promoter sequences that may also be appropriate in size to fit readily into recombinant adeno associated viral (AAV) vectors, the vector of choice for many ocular gene therapies. In the current study we analysed EGFP expression driven by various sequences of the putative human NEFH promoter in order to define sequences required for preferential expression in RGCs. EGFP expression profiles from four different potential NEFH promoter constructs were compared in vivo in mice using retinal histology and mRNA expression analysis. Notably, two efficient promoter sequences, one comprising just 199 bp, are presented in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naomi Chadderton
- The School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Megan Berkeley
- The School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Laura K Finnegan
- The School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Killian S Hanlon
- The School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Matthew Carrigan
- The School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Peter Humphries
- The School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Paul F Kenna
- The School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,The Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Arpad Palfi
- The School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - G Jane Farrar
- The School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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43
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Carrella S, Indrieri A, Franco B, Banfi S. Mutation-Independent Therapies for Retinal Diseases: Focus on Gene-Based Approaches. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:588234. [PMID: 33071752 PMCID: PMC7541846 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.588234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is proving to be an effective approach to treat or prevent ocular diseases ensuring a targeted, stable, and regulated introduction of exogenous genetic material with therapeutic action. Retinal diseases can be broadly categorized into two groups, namely monogenic and complex (multifactorial) forms. The high genetic heterogeneity of monogenic forms represents a significant limitation to the application of gene-specific therapeutic strategies for a significant fraction of patients. Therefore, mutation-independent therapeutic strategies, acting on common pathways that underly retinal damage, are gaining interest as complementary/alternative approaches for retinal diseases. This review will provide an overview of mutation-independent strategies that rely on the modulation in the retina of key genes regulating such crucial degenerative pathways. In particular, we will describe how gene-based approaches explore the use of neurotrophic factors, microRNAs (miRNAs), genome editing and optogenetics in order to restore/prolong visual function in both outer and inner retinal diseases. We predict that the exploitation of gene delivery procedures applied to mutation/gene independent approaches may provide the answer to the unmet therapeutic need of a large fraction of patients with genetically heterogeneous and complex retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Carrella
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Indrieri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Brunella Franco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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44
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Straňák Z, Kousal B, Ardan T, Veith M. Innovative strategies for treating retinal diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 75:287-295. [PMID: 32911944 DOI: 10.31348/2019/6/1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this comprehensive paper is to acquaint the readers with innovative approaches in the treatment of retinal diseases, which could in the coming years to get into clinical practice. Retinal prostheses, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) transplantation, gene therapy and optogenetics will be described in this paper. METHODOLOGY Describing the basic characteristics and mechanisms of different types of therapy and subsequently literary minireview clarifying the current state of knowledge in the area. RESULTS Retinal prostheses, RPE transplantation, gene therapy and optogenetics offer yet unexplored possibilities and are considered as the future of treatment of retinal diseases where classical pharmacotherapy or surgical treatment are no longer sufficient. However, all these methods challenge not only in the innovative technical implementation itself, but also for the ethical, administrative and economic demands. CONCLUSION There will be certainly interesting development in the treatment of retinal diseases, but it is not possible to fully estimate which modality of treatment will be dominant in the future.
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45
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Gallego C, Gonçalves MAFV, Wijnholds J. Novel Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Retinal Degenerative Diseases: Focus on CRISPR/Cas-Based Gene Editing. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:838. [PMID: 32973430 PMCID: PMC7468381 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases encompass a highly heterogenous group of disorders caused by a wide range of genetic variants and with diverse clinical symptoms that converge in the common trait of retinal degeneration. Indeed, mutations in over 270 genes have been associated with some form of retinal degenerative phenotype. Given the immune privileged status of the eye, cell replacement and gene augmentation therapies have been envisioned. While some of these approaches, such as delivery of genes through recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors, have been successfully tested in clinical trials, not all patients will benefit from current advancements due to their underlying genotype or phenotypic traits. Gene editing arises as an alternative therapeutic strategy seeking to correct mutations at the endogenous locus and rescue normal gene expression. Hence, gene editing technologies can in principle be tailored for treating retinal degeneration. Here we provide an overview of the different gene editing strategies that are being developed to overcome the challenges imposed by the post-mitotic nature of retinal cell types. We further discuss their advantages and drawbacks as well as the hurdles for their implementation in treating retinal diseases, which include the broad range of mutations and, in some instances, the size of the affected genes. Although therapeutic gene editing is at an early stage of development, it has the potential of enriching the portfolio of personalized molecular medicines directed at treating genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Gallego
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Manuel A F V Gonçalves
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
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46
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West EL, Ribeiro J, Ali RR. Development of Stem Cell Therapies for Retinal Degeneration. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a035683. [PMID: 31818854 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a035683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Degenerative retinal disease is the major cause of sight loss in the developed world and currently there is a lack of effective treatments. As the loss of vision is directly the result of the loss of retinal cells, effective cell replacement through stem-cell-based therapies may have the potential to treat a great number of retinal diseases whatever their underlying etiology. The eye is an ideal organ to develop cell therapies as it is immune privileged, and modern surgical techniques enable precise delivery of cells to the retina. Furthermore, a range of noninvasive diagnostic tests and high-resolution imaging techniques facilitate the evaluation of any therapeutic intervention. In this review, we evaluate the progress to date of current cell therapy strategies for retinal repair, focusing on transplantation of pluripotent stem-cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L West
- Division of Molecular Therapy, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom
| | - Joana Ribeiro
- Division of Molecular Therapy, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom
| | - Robin R Ali
- Division of Molecular Therapy, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom.,Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA
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47
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Maya-Vetencourt JF, Manfredi G, Mete M, Colombo E, Bramini M, Di Marco S, Shmal D, Mantero G, Dipalo M, Rocchi A, DiFrancesco ML, Papaleo ED, Russo A, Barsotti J, Eleftheriou C, Di Maria F, Cossu V, Piazza F, Emionite L, Ticconi F, Marini C, Sambuceti G, Pertile G, Lanzani G, Benfenati F. Subretinally injected semiconducting polymer nanoparticles rescue vision in a rat model of retinal dystrophy. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 15:698-708. [PMID: 32601447 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-020-0696-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies and late-stage age-related macular degeneration, for which treatments remain limited, are among the most prevalent causes of legal blindness. Retinal prostheses have been developed to stimulate the inner retinal network; however, lack of sensitivity and resolution, and the need for wiring or external cameras, have limited their application. Here we show that conjugated polymer nanoparticles (P3HT NPs) mediate light-evoked stimulation of retinal neurons and persistently rescue visual functions when subretinally injected in a rat model of retinitis pigmentosa. P3HT NPs spread out over the entire subretinal space and promote light-dependent activation of spared inner retinal neurons, recovering subcortical, cortical and behavioural visual responses in the absence of trophic effects or retinal inflammation. By conferring sustained light sensitivity to degenerate retinas after a single injection, and with the potential for high spatial resolution, P3HT NPs provide a new avenue in retinal prosthetics with potential applications not only in retinitis pigmentosa, but also in age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Fernando Maya-Vetencourt
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Manfredi
- Centre for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mete
- Ophthalmology Department, IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Colombo
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mattia Bramini
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Stefano Di Marco
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Dmytro Shmal
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia Mantero
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Dipalo
- Plasmon Nanotechnologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Rocchi
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mattia L DiFrancesco
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ermanno D Papaleo
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angela Russo
- Ophthalmology Department, IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Jonathan Barsotti
- Centre for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Cyril Eleftheriou
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology, Weil Medical College of Cornell University, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Francesca Di Maria
- CNR Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (ISOF), Bologna, Italy
| | - Vanessa Cossu
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Science, Nuclear Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Flavia Ticconi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Science, Nuclear Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Oncohematology, Nuclear Medicine Unit, Faenza Hospital, Faenza, Italy
| | - Cecilia Marini
- CNR Institute of Bioimages and Molecular Physiology, Milan (Genoa Section), Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianmario Sambuceti
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Science, Nuclear Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Grazia Pertile
- Ophthalmology Department, IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Lanzani
- Centre for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Centre for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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48
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Targeting of the NRL Pathway as a Therapeutic Strategy to Treat Retinitis Pigmentosa. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9072224. [PMID: 32668775 PMCID: PMC7408925 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9072224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) with a prevalence of 1:4000, characterized by initial rod photoreceptor loss and subsequent cone photoreceptor loss with accompanying nyctalopia, visual field deficits, and visual acuity loss. A diversity of causative mutations have been described with autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked inheritance and sporadic mutations. The diversity of mutations makes gene therapy challenging, highlighting the need for mutation-agnostic treatments. Neural leucine zipper (NRL) and NR2E3 are factors important for rod photoreceptor cell differentiation and homeostasis. Germline mutations in NRL or NR2E3 leads to a loss of rods and an increased number of cones with short wavelength opsin in both rodents and humans. Multiple groups have demonstrated that inhibition of NRL or NR2E3 activity in the mature retina could endow rods with certain properties of cones, which prevents cell death in multiple rodent RP models with diverse mutations. In this review, we summarize the literature on NRL and NR2E3, therapeutic strategies of NRL/NR2E3 modulation in preclinical RP models, as well as future directions of research. In summary, inhibition of the NRL/NR2E3 pathway represents an intriguing mutation agnostic and disease-modifying target for the treatment of RP.
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49
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Ducloyer JB, Le Meur G, Cronin T, Adjali O, Weber M. La thérapie génique des rétinites pigmentaires héréditaires. Med Sci (Paris) 2020; 36:607-615. [DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2020095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Les rétinites pigmentaires, ou dystrophies rétiniennes héréditaires, sont des maladies dégénératives cécitantes d’origine génétique. La thérapie génique est une approche révolutionnaire en plein essor qui ouvre la voie au traitement de maladies jusqu’ici incurables. Une thérapie génique, le Luxturna®, a obtenu une autorisation de mise sur le marché par la FDA (Food and Drug Administration) fin 2017 et l’EMA (European Medicines Agency) fin 2018. Ce traitement, à l’efficacité démontrée, destiné aux patients porteurs d’une amaurose congénitale de Leber ou d’une rétinopathie pigmentaire en lien avec une mutation bi-allélique du gène RPE65, apporte beaucoup plus de questions que de réponses. Nous présentons, dans cette revue, les avancées actuelles, puis les défis technologiques, économiques et éthiques à surmonter pour que la thérapie génique améliore nos pratiques médicales.
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50
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Melonakos ED, Moody OA, Nikolaeva K, Kato R, Nehs CJ, Solt K. Manipulating Neural Circuits in Anesthesia Research. Anesthesiology 2020; 133:19-30. [PMID: 32349073 PMCID: PMC8351362 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000003279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The neural circuits underlying the distinct endpoints that define general anesthesia remain incompletely understood. It is becoming increasingly evident, however, that distinct pathways in the brain that mediate arousal and pain are involved in various endpoints of general anesthesia. To critically evaluate this growing body of literature, familiarity with modern tools and techniques used to study neural circuits is essential. This Readers' Toolbox article describes four such techniques: (1) electrical stimulation, (2) local pharmacology, (3) optogenetics, and (4) chemogenetics. Each technique is explained, including the advantages, disadvantages, and other issues that must be considered when interpreting experimental results. Examples are provided of studies that probe mechanisms of anesthesia using each technique. This information will aid researchers and clinicians alike in interpreting the literature and in evaluating the utility of these techniques in their own research programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D. Melonakos
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Olivia A. Moody
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ksenia Nikolaeva
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Risako Kato
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Christa J. Nehs
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ken Solt
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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