1
|
Battista M, Carelli V, Bottazzi L, Bandello F, Cascavilla ML, Barboni P. Gene therapy for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2024; 24:521-528. [PMID: 38939999 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2024.2359015] [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: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is among the most frequent inherited mitochondrial disease, causing a severe visual impairment, mostly in young-adult males. The causative mtDNA variants (the three common are m.11778 G>A/MT-ND4, m.3460 G>A/MT-ND1, and m.14484T>C/MT-ND6) by affecting complex I impair oxidative phosphorylation in retinal ganglion cells, ultimately leading to irreversible cell death and consequent functional loss. The gene therapy based on allotopic expression of a wild-type transgene carried by adeno-associated viral vectors (AVV-based) appears a promising approach in mitochondrial disease and its efficacy has been explored in several large clinical trials. AREAS COVERED The review work employed basic concepts in mitochondrial diseases, LHON, and gene therapy procedures. Reports from completed trials in LHON (i.e. RESCUE) were reviewed and critically compared. EXPERT OPINION New challenges, as the improvement of the contralateral untreated eye or the apparently better outcome in patients treated in later stages (6-12 months), were highlighted by the latest gene therapy trials. A better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease together with combined therapy (medical and gene therapy) and optimization in genetic correction approaches could improve the visual outcome of treated eyes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Battista
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Valerio Carelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Programma di Neurogenetica, IRCCS Istituto di Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Leonardo Bottazzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Bandello
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Cascavilla
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Piero Barboni
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Vita-Salute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Studio Oculistico d'Azeglio, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shamsnajafabadi H, Kaukonen M, Bellingrath JS, MacLaren RE, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J. In Silico CRISPR-Cas-Mediated Base Editing Strategies for Early-Onset, Severe Cone-Rod Retinal Degeneration in Three Crumbs homolog 1 Patients, including the Novel Variant c.2833G>A. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:625. [PMID: 38790254 PMCID: PMC11121323 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050625] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in the Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene lead to severe, childhood-onset retinal degeneration leading to blindness in early adulthood. There are no approved therapies, and traditional adeno-associated viral vector-based gene therapy approaches are challenged by the existence of multiple CRB1 isoforms. Here, we describe three CRB1 variants, including a novel, previously unreported variant that led to retinal degeneration. We offer a CRISPR-Cas-mediated DNA base editing strategy as a potential future therapeutic approach. This study is a retrospective case series. Clinical and genetic assessments were performed, including deep phenotyping by retinal imaging. In silico analyses were used to predict the pathogenicity of the novel variant and to determine whether the variants are amenable to DNA base editing strategies. Case 1 was a 24-year-old male with cone-rod dystrophy and retinal thickening typical of CRB1 retinopathy. He had a relatively preserved central outer retinal structure and a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 60 ETDRS letters in both eyes. Genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous variants in exon 9: c.2843G>A, p.(Cys948Tyr) and a novel variant, c.2833G>A, p.(Gly945Arg), which was predicted to likely be pathogenic by an in silico analysis. Cases 2 and 3 were two brothers, aged 20 and 24, who presented with severe cone-rod dystrophy and a significant disruption of the outer nuclear layers. The BCVA was reduced to hand movements in both eyes in Case 2 and to 42 ETDRS letters in both eyes in Case 3. Case 2 was also affected with marked cystoid macular lesions, which are common in CRB1 retinopathy, but responded well to treatment with oral acetazolamide. Genetic testing revealed two c.2234C>T, p.(Thr745Met) variants in both brothers. As G-to-A and C-to-T variants, all three variants are amenable to adenine base editors (ABEs) targeting the forward strand in the Case 1 variants and the reverse strand in Cases 2 and 3. Available PAM sites were detected for KKH-nSaCas9-ABE8e for the c.2843G>A variant, nSaCas9-ABE8e and KKH-nSaCas9-ABE8e for the c.2833G>A variant, and nSpCas9-ABE8e for the c.2234C>T variant. In this case series, we report three pathogenic CRB1 variants, including a novel c.2833G>A variant associated with early-onset cone-rod dystrophy. We highlight the severity and rapid progression of the disease and offer ABEs as a potential future therapeutic approach for this devastating blinding condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Shamsnajafabadi
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (H.S.)
| | - Maria Kaukonen
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (H.S.)
| | - Julia-Sophia Bellingrath
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (H.S.)
| | - Robert E. MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (H.S.)
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (H.S.)
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dhungel BP, Winburn I, Pereira CDF, Huang K, Chhabra A, Rasko JEJ. Understanding AAV vector immunogenicity: from particle to patient. Theranostics 2024; 14:1260-1288. [PMID: 38323309 PMCID: PMC10845199 DOI: 10.7150/thno.89380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy holds promise for patients with inherited monogenic disorders, cancer, and rare genetic diseases. Naturally occurring adeno-associated virus (AAV) offers a well-suited vehicle for clinical gene transfer due to its lack of significant clinical pathogenicity and amenability to be engineered to deliver therapeutic transgenes in a variety of cell types for long-term sustained expression. AAV has been bioengineered to produce recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors for many gene therapies that are approved or in late-stage development. However, ongoing challenges hamper wider use of rAAV vector-mediated therapies. These include immunity against rAAV vectors, limited transgene packaging capacity, sub-optimal tissue transduction, potential risks of insertional mutagenesis and vector shedding. This review focuses on aspects of immunity against rAAV, mediated by anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) arising after natural exposure to AAVs or after rAAV vector administration. We provide an in-depth analysis of factors determining AAV seroprevalence and examine clinical approaches to managing anti-AAV NAbs pre- and post-vector administration. Methodologies used to quantify anti-AAV NAb levels and strategies to overcome pre-existing AAV immunity are also discussed. The broad adoption of rAAV vector-mediated gene therapies will require wider clinical appreciation of their current limitations and further research to mitigate their impact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bijay P. Dhungel
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - John E. J. Rasko
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ladero M, Reche-Sainz JA, Gallardo ME. Hereditary Optic Neuropathies: A Systematic Review on the Interplay between Biomaterials and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:52. [PMID: 38247929 PMCID: PMC10813088 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11010052] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hereditary optic neuropathies (HONs) such as dominant optic atrophy (DOA) and Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) are mitochondrial diseases characterized by a degenerative loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and are a cause of blindness worldwide. To date, there are only limited disease-modifying treatments for these disorders. The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has opened several promising opportunities in the field of HON research and the search for therapeutic approaches. This systematic review is focused on the two most frequent HONs (LHON and DOA) and on the recent studies related to the application of human iPSC technology in combination with biomaterials technology for their potential use in the development of RGC replacement therapies with the final aim of the improvement or even the restoration of the vision of HON patients. To this purpose, the combination of natural and synthetic biomaterials modified with peptides, neurotrophic factors, and other low- to medium-molecular weight compounds, mimicking the ocular extracellular matrices, with human iPSC or iPSC-derived cell retinal progenitors holds enormous potential to be exploited in the near future for the generation of transplantable RGC populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ladero
- FQPIMA Group, Materials and Chemical Engineering Department, Chemical Sciences School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Alberto Reche-Sainz
- Ophthalmology Unit, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Translational Research with iPS Cells Group, Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre, imas12, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Esther Gallardo
- Translational Research with iPS Cells Group, Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre, imas12, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Keshavan N, Minczuk M, Viscomi C, Rahman S. Gene therapy for mitochondrial disorders. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:145-175. [PMID: 38171948 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
In this review, we detail the current state of application of gene therapy to primary mitochondrial disorders (PMDs). Recombinant adeno-associated virus-based (rAAV) gene replacement approaches for nuclear gene disorders have been undertaken successfully in more than ten preclinical mouse models of PMDs which has been made possible by the development of novel rAAV technologies that achieve more efficient organ targeting. So far, however, the greatest progress has been made for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, for which phase 3 clinical trials of lenadogene nolparvovec demonstrated efficacy and good tolerability. Other methods of treating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disorders have also had traction, including refinements to nucleases that degrade mtDNA molecules with pathogenic variants, including transcription activator-like effector nucleases, zinc-finger nucleases, and meganucleases (mitoARCUS). rAAV-based approaches have been used successfully to deliver these nucleases in vivo in mice. Exciting developments in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology have achieved in vivo gene editing in mouse models of PMDs due to nuclear gene defects and new CRISPR-free gene editing approaches have shown great potential for therapeutic application in mtDNA disorders. We conclude the review by discussing the challenges of translating gene therapy in patients both from the point of view of achieving adequate organ transduction as well as clinical trial design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nandaki Keshavan
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Michal Minczuk
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carlo Viscomi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Shamima Rahman
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lam BL, Feuer WJ, Porciatti V, Davis JL, Zheng DD, Vanner EA, Savatovsky EJ, Alba DE, Guy J. Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Gene Therapy: Longitudinal Relationships Among Visual Function and Anatomical Measures. Am J Ophthalmol 2024; 257:113-128. [PMID: 37716450 PMCID: PMC10842528 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess longitudinal relationships among visual function and anatomical measures of gene therapy in G11778A Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). DESIGN Phase 1 clinical trial. METHODS This was a single-institution study of patients with G11778A LHON. Patients with chronic bilateral visual loss >12 months (group 1, n = 11), acute bilateral visual loss <12 months (group 2, n = 9), or unilateral visual loss (group 3, n = 8) were administered unilateral intravitreal AAV2(Y444,500,730F)-P1ND4v2 injection with low, medium, high, and higher doses to worse eye for groups 1 and 2 and better eye for group 3. Oucome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field mean deviation (VF MD), steady-state pattern electroretinogram (SS-PERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and ganglion cell+inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness, and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) scores. Mean follow-up was 33.6 months (range = 18-36 months). RESULTS Baseline SS-PERG amplitude was much reduced in both eyes of all groups including asymptomatic eyes of group 3, and showed no appreciable changes irrespective of disease stage and treatment. Significant and progressive GCIPL and RNFL thinning occurred in all eyes; BCVA and VF MD fluctuated in treated and fellow eyes, with some eyes having modest improvement that may be related to natural history or to gene therapy. Mean NEI-VFQ-25 scores declined in group 3 subjects (P = .023), CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic eyes in LHON patients with unilateral visual loss may be beyond the window of effective neuroprotection given reduced GCIPL and SS-PERG. Randomization of patients to an untreated control group would help to assess treatment effect by accounting for variable natural history. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Byron L Lam
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
| | - William J Feuer
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Vittorio Porciatti
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Janet L Davis
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - D Diane Zheng
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Vanner
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Eleonore J Savatovsky
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Diego E Alba
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - John Guy
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Notarte KI, Catahay JA, Macasaet R, Liu J, Velasco JV, Peligro PJ, Vallo J, Goldrich N, Lahoti L, Zhou J, Henry BM. Infusion reactions to adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy: Mechanisms, diagnostics, treatment and review of the literature. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29305. [PMID: 38116715 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29305] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in gene therapy has demonstrated great potential in treating genetic disorders. However, infusion-associated reactions (IARs) pose a significant challenge to the safety and efficacy of AAV-based gene therapy. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of IARs to AAV therapy, including their underlying mechanisms, clinical presentation, and treatment options. Toll-like receptor activation and subsequent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with IARs, stimulating neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) and T-cell responses that interfere with gene therapy. Risk factors for IARs include high titers of pre-existing Nabs, previous exposure to AAV, and specific comorbidities. Clinical presentation ranges from mild flu-like symptoms to severe anaphylaxis and can occur during or after AAV administration. There are no established guidelines for pre- and postadministration tests for AAV therapies, and routine laboratory requests are not standardized. Treatment options include corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, and supportive medications such as antihistamines and acetaminophen, but there is no consensus on the route of administration, dosage, and duration. This review highlights the inadequacy of current treatment regimens for IARs and the need for further research to improve the safety and efficacy of AAV-based gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kin Israel Notarte
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jesus Alfonso Catahay
- Department of Medicine, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Raymart Macasaet
- Department of Medicine, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Jolaine Vallo
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | | | - Lokesh Lahoti
- Department of Medicine, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jiayan Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Brandon Michael Henry
- Clinical Laboratory, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sobh M, Lagali PS, Ghiasi M, Montroy J, Dollin M, Hurley B, Leonard BC, Dimopoulos I, Lafreniere M, Fergusson DA, Lalu MM, Tsilfidis C. Safety and Efficacy of Adeno-Associated Viral Gene Therapy in Patients With Retinal Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:24. [PMID: 37982768 PMCID: PMC10668613 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.11.24] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This systematic review evaluates the safety and efficacy of ocular gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV). Methods MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched systematically for controlled or non-controlled interventional gene therapy studies using key words related to retinal diseases, gene therapy, and AAV vectors. The primary outcome measure was safety, based on ocular severe adverse events (SAEs). Secondary outcome measures evaluated efficacy of the therapy based on best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and improvements in visual sensitivity and systemic involvement following ocular delivery. Pooling was done using a DerSimonian Laird random effects model. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, version 1. Results Our search identified 3548 records. Of these, 80 publications met eligibility criteria, representing 28 registered clinical trials and 5 postmarket surveillance studies involving AAV gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), choroideremia, Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), X-linked retinoschisis, and achromatopsia. Overall, AAV therapy vectors were associated with a cumulative incidence of at least one SAE of 8% (95% confidence intervals [CIs] of 5% to 12%). SAEs were often associated with the surgical procedure rather than the therapeutic vector itself. Poor or inconsistent reporting of adverse events (AEs) were a limitation for the meta-analysis. The proportion of patients with any improvement in BCVA and visual sensitivity was 41% (95% CIs of 31% to 51%) and 51% (95% CIs of 31% to 70%), respectively. Systemic immune involvement was associated with a cumulative incidence of 31% (95% CI = 21% to 42%). Conclusions AAV gene therapy vectors appear to be safe but the surgical procedure required to deliver them is associated with some risk. The large variability in efficacy can be attributed to the small number of patients treated, the heterogeneity of the population and the variability in dosage, volume, and follow-up. Translational Relevance This systematic review will help to inform and guide future clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Sobh
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela S. Lagali
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maryam Ghiasi
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua Montroy
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Dollin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bernard Hurley
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian C. Leonard
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ioannis Dimopoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mackenzie Lafreniere
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dean A. Fergusson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manoj M. Lalu
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, BLUEPRINT Translational Research Group, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine Tsilfidis
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, University of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Asher D, Dai D, Klimchak AC, Sedita LE, Gooch KL, Rodino-Klapac L. Paving the way for future gene therapies: A case study of scientific spillover from delandistrogene moxeparvovec. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:474-483. [PMID: 37674905 PMCID: PMC10477757 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.08.002] [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: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapies have potential to improve outcomes of severe diseases after only a single administration. Novel therapies are continually being developed using knowledge gained from prior successes, a concept known as scientific spillover. Gene therapy advancement requires extensive development at each stage: preclinical work to create and evaluate vehicles for delivery of the therapy, design of clinical development programs, and establishment of a large-scale manufacturing process. Pioneering gene therapies are generating spillover as investigators confront myriad issues specific to this treatment modality. These include frameworks for construct engineering, dose evaluation, patient selection, outcome assessment, and safety monitoring. Consequently, the benefits of these therapies extend beyond offering knowledge for treating any one disease to establishing new platforms and paradigms that will accelerate advancement of future gene therapies. This impact is even more profound in rare diseases, where developing therapies in isolation may not be possible. This review describes some instances of scientific spillover in healthcare, and specifically gene therapy, using delandistrogene moxeparvovec (SRP-9001), a gene therapy recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of ambulatory pediatric patients aged 4-5 years with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with a confirmed mutation in the DMD gene, as a case study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damon Asher
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Daisy Dai
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alexa C. Klimchak
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Lauren E. Sedita
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shamsnajafabadi H, MacLaren RE, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J. Current and Future Landscape in Genetic Therapies for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Cells 2023; 12:2013. [PMID: 37566092 PMCID: PMC10416882 DOI: 10.3390/cells12152013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the most common primary mitochondrial genetic disease that causes blindness in young adults. Over 50 inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations are associated with LHON; however, more than 95% of cases are caused by one of three missense variations (m.11778 G > A, m.3460 G > A, and m.14484 T > C) encoding for subunits ND4, ND1, and ND6 of the respiration complex I, respectively. These variants remain silent until further and currently poorly understood genetic and environmental factors precipitate the visual loss. The clinical course that ensues is variable, and a convincing treatment for LHON has yet to emerge. In 2015, an antioxidant idebenone (Raxone) received European marketing authorisation to treat visual impairment in patients with LHON, and since then it was introduced into clinical practice in several European countries. Alternative therapeutic strategies, including gene therapy and gene editing, antioxidant and neurotrophic agents, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial replacement, and stem cell therapies are being investigated in how effective they might be in altering the course of the disease. Allotopic gene therapies are in the most advanced stage of development (phase III clinical trials) whilst most other agents are in phase I or II trials or at pre-clinical stages. This manuscript discusses the phenotype and genotype of the LHON disease with complexities and peculiarities such as incomplete penetrance and gender bias, which have challenged the therapies in development emphasising the most recent use of gene therapy. Furthermore, we review the latest results of the three clinical trials based on adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated delivery of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) with mitochondrial targeting sequence, highlighting the differences in the vector design and the rationale behind their use in the allotopic transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Shamsnajafabadi
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Robert E. MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
McGrady NR, Boal AM, Risner ML, Taiel M, Sahel JA, Calkins DJ. Ocular stress enhances contralateral transfer of lenadogene nolparvovec gene therapy through astrocyte networks. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2005-2013. [PMID: 37016579 PMCID: PMC10362393 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.035] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lenadogene nolparvovec (GS010) was developed to treat a point mutation in mitochondrial ND4 that causes Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. GS010 delivers human cDNA encoding wild-type ND4 packaged into an rAAV2/2 vector that transduces retinal ganglion cells, to induce allotopic expression of hybrid mitochondrial ND4. GS010 clinical trials improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) up to 5 years after treatment. Interestingly, unilateral treatment improved BCVA bilaterally. Subsequent studies revealed GS010 DNA in visual tissues contralateral to the injected eye, suggesting migration. Here we tested whether unilateral intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation could influence the transfer of viral ND4 RNA in contralateral tissues after GS010 delivery to the IOP-elevated eye and probed a potential mechanism mediating translocation in mice. We found IOP elevation enhanced viral ND4 RNA transcripts in contralateral visual tissues, including retinas. Using conditional transgenic mice, we depleted astrocytic gap junction connexin 43 (Cx43), required for distant redistribution of metabolic resources between astrocytes during stress. After unilateral IOP elevation and GS010 injection, Cx43 knockdown eradicated ND4 RNA transcript detection in contralateral retinal tissues, while transcript was still detectable in optic nerves. Overall, our study indicates long-range migration of GS010 product to contralateral visual tissues is enhanced by Cx43-linked astrocyte networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nolan R McGrady
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrew M Boal
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Michael L Risner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | - Jose A Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, Paris, France; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Li B, Tan W, Wang Z, Zhou H, Zou J, Li Y, Yoshida S, Zhou Y. Progress and prospects of gene therapy in ophthalmology from 2000 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18228. [PMID: 37539253 PMCID: PMC10395483 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18228] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gene therapy is a treatment approach at the genetic level, which brings great advances in many diseases and develops rapidly in recent years. Currently, its mechanism of action is mainly through the replacement of missing or defective genes, or the reduction of harmful gene products. However, the application of gene therapy in ophthalmology remains limited. Methods A total of 1143 articles and reviews published in the field of ocular gene therapies were found in the Web of Science Core Collection database and used for the bibliometric analysis. CiteSpace was mainly applied to the network analysis of countries, institutions, keywords, and dual-map overlay of journals. The visual analysis of authors, journals, and references was used by VOSviewer. The geographical distribution of publications was conducted by R language. Results The annual publications are increasing in general. Currently, the USA and the UK are two main sources of publications in this field. Switzerland, Denmark, and Finland are the top 3 countries that establish the most cooperation and exchanges with other countries or regions. The most cited and co-cited journal in this field is Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Gene therapy studies for eye diseases are mainly focused on retinal dysfunctions by the analysis of references, keywords, and counting of original research, including Leber's congenital amaurosis and retinitis pigmentosa. Conclusion This study used bibliometrics to analyze overall characteristics and put forward prospects for the future in the field of gene therapy in ophthalmology. Ocular diseases, especially hereditary retinal diseases, will be the major focus of gene therapy in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingyan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Zicong Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Haixiang Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Jingling Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Shigeo Yoshida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Yedi Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Srivastava A. Rationale and strategies for the development of safe and effective optimized AAV vectors for human gene therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:949-959. [PMID: 37293185 PMCID: PMC10244667 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been, or are currently in use, in 332 phase I/II/III clinical trials in a number of human diseases, and in some cases, remarkable clinical efficacy has also been achieved. There are now three US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved AAV "drugs," but it has become increasingly clear that the first generation of AAV vectors are not optimal. In addition, relatively large vector doses are needed to achieve clinical efficacy, which has been shown to provoke host immune responses culminating in serious adverse events and, more recently, in the deaths of 10 patients to date. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of the next generation of AAV vectors that are (1) safe, (2) effective, and (3) human tropic. This review describes the strategies to potentially overcome each of the limitations of the first generation of AAV vectors and the rationale and approaches for the development of the next generation of AAV serotype vectors. These vectors promise to be efficacious at significant reduced doses, likely to achieve clinical efficacy, thereby increasing the safety as well as reducing vector production costs, ensuring translation to the clinic with higher probability of success, without the need for the use of immune suppression, for gene therapy of a wide variety of diseases in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arun Srivastava
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Departments of Pediatrics, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Periasamy R, Patel DD, Boye SL, Boye SE, Lipinski DM. Improving retinal vascular endothelial cell tropism through rational rAAV capsid design. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285370. [PMID: 37167304 PMCID: PMC10174500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285370] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells (VEC) are essential for retinal homeostasis and their dysfunction underlies pathogenesis in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Studies have shown that recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors are effective at delivering new genetic material to neural and glial cells within the retina, but targeting VECs remains challenging. To overcome this limitation, herein we developed rAAV capsid mutant vectors with improved tropism towards retinal VEC. rAAV2/2, 2/2[QuadYF-TV], and rAAV2/9 serotype vectors (n = 9, capsid mutants per serotype) expressing GFP were generated by inserting heptameric peptides (7AA) designed to increase endothelial targeting at positions 588 (2/2 and 2/2[QuadYF-TV] or 589 (2/9) of the virus protein (VP 1-3). The packaging and transduction efficiency of the vectors were assessed in HEK293T and bovine VECs using Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, leading to the identification of one mutant, termed EC5, that showed improved endothelial tropism when inserted into all three capsid serotypes. Intra-ocular and intravenous administration of EC5 mutants in C57Bl/6j mice demonstrated moderately improved transduction of the retinal vasculature, particularly surrounding the optic nerve head, and evidence of sinusoidal endothelial cell transduction in the liver. Most notably, intravenous administration of the rAAV2/2[QuadYF-TV] EC5 mutant led to a dramatic and unexpected increase in cardiac muscle transduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Periasamy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Dwani D. Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Sanford L. Boye
- Department of Pediatrics, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Shannon E. Boye
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Daniel M. Lipinski
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Velmurugan S, Chou TH, Eastwood JD, Porciatti V, Liu Y, Hauswirth WW, Guy J, Yu H. Comparison of different gene-therapy methods to treat Leber hereditary optic neuropathy in a mouse model. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1119724. [PMID: 37051151 PMCID: PMC10083341 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1119724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionTherapies for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), in common with all disorders caused by mutated mitochondrial DNA, are inadequate. We have developed two gene therapy strategies for the disease: mitochondrial-targeted and allotopic expressed and compared them in a mouse model of LHON.MethodsA LHON mouse model was generated by intravitreal injection of a mitochondrialtargeted Adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying mutant human NADH dehydrogenase 4 gene (hND4/m.11778G>A) to induce retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration and axon loss, the hallmark of the human disease. We then attempted to rescue those mice using a second intravitreal injection of either mitochondrial-targeted or allotopic expressed wildtype human ND4. The rescue of RGCs and their axons were assessed using serial pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and transmission electron microscopy.ResultsCompared to non-rescued LHON controls where PERG amplitude was much reduced, both strategies significantly preserved PERG amplitude over 15 months. However, the rescue effect was more marked with mitochondrial-targeted therapy than with allotopic therapy (p = 0.0128). Post-mortem analysis showed that mitochondrial-targeted human ND4 better preserved small axons that are preferentially lost in human LHON.ConclusionsThese results in a pre-clinical mouse model of LHON suggest that mitochondrially-targeted AAV gene therapy, compared to allotopic AAV gene therapy, is more efficient in rescuing the LHON phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu Velmurugan
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Tsung-Han Chou
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jeremy D. Eastwood
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Vittorio Porciatti
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Vittorio Porciatti,
| | - Yuan Liu
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - William W. Hauswirth
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John Guy
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Hong Yu
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Hong Yu,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Issa SS, Shaimardanova AA, Solovyeva VV, Rizvanov AA. Various AAV Serotypes and Their Applications in Gene Therapy: An Overview. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050785. [PMID: 36899921 PMCID: PMC10000783 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite scientific discoveries in the field of gene and cell therapy, some diseases still have no effective treatment. Advances in genetic engineering methods have enabled the development of effective gene therapy methods for various diseases based on adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). Today, many AAV-based gene therapy medications are being investigated in preclinical and clinical trials, and new ones are appearing on the market. In this article, we present a review of AAV discovery, properties, different serotypes, and tropism, and a following detailed explanation of their uses in gene therapy for disease of different organs and systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaza S. Issa
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alisa A. Shaimardanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Valeriya V. Solovyeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-(905)-3167599
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Buonfiglio PI, Menazzi S, Francipane L, Lotersztein V, Ferreiro V, Elgoyhen AB, Dalamón V. Mitochondrial DNA variants in a cohort from Argentina with suspected Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0275703. [PMID: 36827238 PMCID: PMC9956067 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study investigates the spectrum and analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants associated with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in an Argentinean cohort, analyzing 3 LHON-associated mitochondrial genes. In 32% of the cases, molecular confirmation of the diagnosis could be established, due to the identification of disease-causing variants. A total of 54 variants were observed in a cohort of 100 patients tested with direct sequencing analysis. The frequent causative mutations m.11778G>A in MT-ND4, m.3460G>A in MT-ND1, and m.14484T>C in MT-ND6 were identified in 28% of the cases of our cohort. Secondary mutations in this Argentinean LHON cohort were m.11253T>C p.Ile165Thr in MT-ND4, identified in three patients (3/100, 3%) and m.3395A>G p.Tyr30Cys in MT-ND1, in one of the patients studied (1%). This study shows, for the first time, the analysis of mtDNA variants in patients with a probable diagnosis of LHON in Argentina. Standard molecular methods are an effective first approach in order to achieve genetic diagnosis of the disease, leaving NGS tests for those patients with negative results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula I. Buonfiglio
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Genética de la Audición, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - INGEBI / CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Menazzi
- División Genética, Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Liliana Francipane
- División Genética, Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanesa Lotersztein
- Servicio de Genética, Hospital Militar Central “Dr. Cosme Argerich”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Ana Belén Elgoyhen
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Genética de la Audición, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - INGEBI / CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- División Genética, Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Servicio de Genética, Hospital Militar Central “Dr. Cosme Argerich”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio Genos, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1121ABG, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Viviana Dalamón
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Genética de la Audición, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - INGEBI / CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Newman NJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Biousse V, Carelli V. Understanding the molecular basis and pathogenesis of hereditary optic neuropathies: towards improved diagnosis and management. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:172-188. [PMID: 36155660 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(22)00174-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary optic neuropathies result from defects in the human genome, both nuclear and mitochondrial. The two main and most recognised phenotypes are dominant optic atrophy and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. Advances in modern molecular diagnosis have expanded our knowledge of genotypes and phenotypes of inherited disorders that affect the optic nerve, either alone or in combination, with various forms of neurological and systemic degeneration. A unifying feature in the pathophysiology of these disorders appears to involve mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that the retinal ganglion cells and their axons are especially susceptible to perturbations in mitochondrial homoeostasis. As we better understand the pathogenesis behind these genetic diseases, aetiologically targeted therapies are emerging and entering into clinical trials, including treatments aimed at halting the cascade of neurodegeneration, replacing or editing the defective genes or their protein products, and potentially regenerating damaged optic nerves, as well as preventing generational disease transmission.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Humans
- Optic Nerve Diseases/diagnosis
- Optic Nerve Diseases/genetics
- Optic Nerve Diseases/therapy
- Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber/diagnosis
- Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber/genetics
- Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber/therapy
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/diagnosis
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/genetics
- Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant/therapy
- Optic Nerve
- Mitochondria/genetics
- Mitochondria/metabolism
- Mitochondria/pathology
- DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy J Newman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Valérie Biousse
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy with Mitochondrial DNA Mutation G11778A: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:1107866. [PMID: 36743514 PMCID: PMC9893526 DOI: 10.1155/2023/1107866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Background LHON is a progressive disease with early disease onset and male predominance, usually causing devastating visual loss to patients. These systematic review and meta-analysis are aimed at summarizing epidemiology, disease onset and progression, visual recovery, risk factors, and treatment options of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) with mitochondrial DNA mutation G11778A from current evidence. Methods The PubMed database was examined from its inception date to November 2021. Data from included studies were pooled with either a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model, depending on the results of heterogeneity tests. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of results. Results A total of 41 articles were included in the systematic review for qualitative analysis, and 34 articles were included for quantitative meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of proportion of G11778A mutation among the three primary mutations of mitochondrial DNA (G11778A, G3460A, and T14484C) for LHON was 73% (95% CI: 67% and 79%), and the LHON patients with G11778A mutation included the pooled male ratio estimate of 77% (76% and 79%), the pooled age estimate of 35.3 years (33.2 years and 37.3 years), the pooled onset age estimate of 22.1 years (19.7 years and 24.6 years), the pooled visual acuity estimate of 1.4 LogMAR (1.2 LogMAR and 1.6 LogMAR), and the pooled estimate of spontaneous visual recovery rate (in either 1 eye) of 20% (15% and 27%). Conclusions The G11778A mutation is a prevalent mitochondrial DNA mutation accounting for over half of LHON cases with three primary mutations. Spontaneous visual recovery is rare, and no effective treatment is currently available.
Collapse
|
20
|
Nieuwenhuis B, Laperrousaz E, Tribble JR, Verhaagen J, Fawcett JW, Martin KR, Williams PA, Osborne A. Improving adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated transgene expression in retinal ganglion cells: comparison of five promoters. Gene Ther 2023:10.1038/s41434-022-00380-z. [PMID: 36635457 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00380-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) are an effective system for gene transfer. AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) is commonly used to deliver transgenes to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) via intravitreal injection. The AAV serotype however is not the only factor contributing to the effectiveness of gene therapies. Promoters influence the strength and cell-selectivity of transgene expression. This study compares five promoters designed to maximise AAV2 cargo space for gene delivery: chicken β-actin (CBA), cytomegalovirus (CMV), short CMV early enhancer/chicken β-actin/short β-globulin intron (sCAG), mouse phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), and human synapsin (SYN). The promoters driving enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) were examined in adult C57BL/6J mice eyes and tissues of the visual system. eGFP expression was strongest in the retina, optic nerves and brain when driven by the sCAG and SYN promoters. CBA, CMV, and PGK had moderate expression by comparison. The SYN promoter had almost exclusive transgene expression in RGCs. The PGK promoter had predominant expression in both RGCs and AII amacrine cells. The ubiquitous CBA, CMV, and sCAG promoters expressed eGFP in a variety of cell types across multiple retinal layers including Müller glia and astrocytes. We also found that these promoters could transduce human retina ex vivo, although expression was predominantly in glial cells due to low RGC viability. Taken together, this promoter comparison study contributes to optimising AAV-mediated transduction in the retina, and could be valuable for research in ocular disorders, particularly those with large or complex genetic cargos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bart Nieuwenhuis
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK.
| | - Elise Laperrousaz
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James R Tribble
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Regeneration of Sensorimotor Systems, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Centre for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James W Fawcett
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Centre of Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Keith R Martin
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Pete A Williams
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrew Osborne
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,Ikarovec Ltd, The Norwich Research Park Innovation Centre, Norwich, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response and Integrated Stress Response as Promising Therapeutic Targets for Mitochondrial Diseases. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010020. [PMID: 36611815 PMCID: PMC9818186 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and application of high-throughput omics technologies have enabled a more in-depth understanding of mitochondrial biosynthesis metabolism and the pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases. In accordance with this, a host of new treatments for mitochondrial disease are emerging. As an essential pathway in maintaining mitochondrial proteostasis, the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is not only of considerable significance for mitochondrial substance metabolism but also plays a fundamental role in the development of mitochondrial diseases. Furthermore, in mammals, the integrated stress response (ISR) and UPRmt are strongly coupled, functioning together to maintain mitochondrial function. Therefore, ISR and UPRmt show great application prospects in the treatment of mitochondrial diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms of ISR and UPRmt and focus on them as potential targets for mitochondrial disease therapy.
Collapse
|
22
|
Vignal-Clermont C, Yu-Wai-Man P, Newman NJ, Carelli V, Moster ML, Biousse V, Subramanian PS, Wang AG, Donahue SP, Leroy BP, Sadun AA, Klopstock T, Sergott RC, Fernandez R, Chwalisz BK, Banik R, Taiel M, Roux M, Sahel JA. Safety of Lenadogene Nolparvovec Gene Therapy Over 5 Years in 189 Patients With Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Am J Ophthalmol 2022; 249:108-125. [PMID: 36496192 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the safety profile of lenadogene nolparvovec (Lumevoq) in patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. DESIGN Pooled analysis of safety data from 5 clinical studies. METHODS A total of 189 patients received single unilateral or bilateral intravitreal injections of a recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2/2) vector encoding the human wild-type ND4 gene. Adverse events (AEs) were collected throughout the studies, up to 5 years. Intraocular inflammation and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) were ocular AEs of special interest. Other assessments included ocular examinations, vector bio-dissemination, and systemic immune responses against rAAV2/2. RESULTS Almost all patients (95.2%) received 9 × 1010 viral genomes and 87.8% had at least 2 years of follow-up. Most patients (75.1%) experienced at least one systemic AE, but systemic treatment-related AEs occurred in 3 patients; none were serious. Intraocular inflammation was reported in 75.6% of lenadogene nolparvovec-treated eyes. Almost all intraocular inflammations occurred in the anterior chamber (58.8%) or in the vitreous (40.3%), and were of mild (90.3%) or moderate (8.8%) intensity; most resolved with topical corticosteroids alone. All IOP increases were mild to moderate in intensity. No AE led to study discontinuation. Bio-dissemination of lenadogene nolparvovec and systemic immune response were limited. The safety profile was comparable for patients treated bilaterally and unilaterally. CONCLUSIONS Lenadogene nolparvovec had a good overall safety profile with excellent systemic tolerability, consistent with limited bio-dissemination. The product was well tolerated, with mostly mild ocular side effects responsive to conventional ophthalmologic treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Vignal-Clermont
- From Department of Neuro Ophthalmology and Emergencies, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France (C.V-C.); Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France (C.V-C.).
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (P.Y-W-M.); Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK (P.Y-W-M.); UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK (P.Y-W-M.); Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Nancy J Newman
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA (P.Y-W-M.)
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy (V.C.); Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (V.C.)
| | - Mark L Moster
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA (M.L.M.)
| | - Valerie Biousse
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA (P.Y-W-M.)
| | - Prem S Subramanian
- Sue Anschutz-Rodgers University of Colorado Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA (P.S.S.)
| | - An-Guor Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan (A-G.W.)
| | - Sean P Donahue
- Department of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, and Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA (S.P.D.)
| | - Bart P Leroy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Head & Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (B.P.L.)
| | - Alfredo A Sadun
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA (A.A.S.); Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA (A.A.S.)
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Friedrich Baur Institute at the Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany (T.K.); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany (T.K.); Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany (T.K.)
| | - Robert C Sergott
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA (M.L.M.)
| | | | - Bart K Chwalisz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA (B.K.C.); Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA (B.K.C.)
| | - Rudrani Banik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA (R.B.)
| | | | - Michel Roux
- GenSight Biologics, Paris, France (M.T., M.R.)
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France (J-A.S.); Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France (J-A.S.); Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (J-A.S.); Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France (J-A.S.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Chien Y, Hsiao YJ, Chou SJ, Lin TY, Yarmishyn AA, Lai WY, Lee MS, Lin YY, Lin TW, Hwang DK, Lin TC, Chiou SH, Chen SJ, Yang YP. Nanoparticles-mediated CRISPR-Cas9 gene therapy in inherited retinal diseases: applications, challenges, and emerging opportunities. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:511. [DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01717-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractInherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) are considered one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. However, the majority of them still lack a safe and effective treatment due to their complexity and genetic heterogeneity. Recently, gene therapy is gaining importance as an efficient strategy to address IRDs which were previously considered incurable. The development of the clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has strongly empowered the field of gene therapy. However, successful gene modifications rely on the efficient delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 components into the complex three-dimensional (3D) architecture of the human retinal tissue. Intriguing findings in the field of nanoparticles (NPs) meet all the criteria required for CRISPR-Cas9 delivery and have made a great contribution toward its therapeutic applications. In addition, exploiting induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology and in vitro 3D retinal organoids paved the way for prospective clinical trials of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in treating IRDs. This review highlights important advances in NP-based gene therapy, the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and iPSC-derived retinal organoids with a focus on IRDs. Collectively, these studies establish a multidisciplinary approach by integrating nanomedicine and stem cell technologies and demonstrate the utility of retina organoids in developing effective therapies for IRDs.
Collapse
|
24
|
Chen BS, Yu-Wai-Man P, Newman NJ. Developments in the Treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2022; 22:881-892. [PMID: 36414808 PMCID: PMC9750907 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-022-01246-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSEOF REVIEW To outline the current landscape of treatments for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) along the therapeutic delivery pipeline, exploring the mechanisms of action and evidence for these therapeutic approaches. RECENT FINDINGS Treatments for LHON can be broadly classified as either mutation-specific or mutation-independent. Mutation-specific therapies aim to correct the underlying mutation through the use of a gene-editing platform or replace the faulty mitochondrial DNA-encoded protein by delivering the wild-type gene using a suitable vector. Recent gene therapy clinical trials assessing the efficacy of allotopically expressed MT-ND4 for the treatment of LHON due to the m.11778G > A mutation in MT-ND4 have shown positive results when treated within 12 months of symptom onset. Mutation-independent therapies can have various downstream targets that aim to improve mitochondrial respiration, reduce mitochondrial stress, inhibit or delay retinal ganglion cell apoptosis, and/or promote retinal ganglion cell survival. Idebenone, a synthetic hydrosoluble analogue of co-enzyme Q10 (ubiquinone), is the only approved treatment for LHON. Mutation-independent approaches to gene therapy under pre-clinical investigation for other neurodegenerative disorders may have the potential to benefit patients with LHON. Although approved treatments are presently limited, innovations in gene therapy and editing are driving the expansion of the therapeutic delivery pipeline for LHON.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benson S Chen
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nancy J Newman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Pennesi ME, Yang P, Birch DG, Weng CY, Moore AT, Iannaccone A, Comander JI, Jayasundera T, Chulay J. Intravitreal Delivery of rAAV2tYF-CB-hRS1 Vector for Gene Augmentation Therapy in Patients with X-Linked Retinoschisis: 1-Year Clinical Results. Ophthalmol Retina 2022; 6:1130-1144. [PMID: 35781068 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2022.06.013] [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: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of rAAV2tYF-CB-hRS1, a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector expressing retinoschisin (RS1), in individuals with retinal disease caused by mutations in the RS1 gene. DESIGN Open-label, phase I/II dose-escalation clinical trial. SUBJECTS Twenty-two adults and 5 children with X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS), aged 10 to 79 years, were enrolled. METHODS The participants received an intravitreal (IVT) injection of rAAV2tYF-CB-hRS1, at 1 of 3 dose levels, in the poorer-seeing eye and were followed up for a minimum of 1 year after treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary safety measures were local (ocular) or systemic (nonocular) adverse events (AEs) during the 12-month period after study agent administration. Efficacy was assessed based on measures of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), schisis cavity volume, static perimetry visual field testing, and electroretinography (ERG). RESULTS The IVT administration of rAAV2tYF-CB-hRS1 was generally safe at each of the dose levels. There were no AEs resulting in early termination, and no dose-limiting toxicities were reported. The most common ocular AEs observed were related to ocular inflammation (blurred vision, visual impairment, and the presence of vitreous cells, keratic precipitates, vitreous floaters, anterior chamber cells, and vitreous haze). Ocular inflammation was generally either mild or moderate in severity and responsive to standard immunosuppressive therapy, except in 3 participants (all in the highest-dose group) who developed chronic uveitis, which required prolonged therapy. Two patients experienced retinal detachments. There was no overall improvement in BCVA, visual fields, or ERG in the study eye compared with that in the fellow eye for any dose group. Variable changes in the cystic cavity volume over time were similar in the study and fellow eyes. CONCLUSIONS Gene augmentation therapy with rAAV2tYF-CB-hRS1 for XLRS was generally safe and well tolerated but failed to demonstrate a measurable treatment effect. The clinical trial is ongoing through 5 years of follow-up to assess its long-term safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Edward Pennesi
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida.
| | - Paul Yang
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - David G Birch
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - Christina Y Weng
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - Anthony T Moore
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - Alessandro Iannaccone
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - Jason I Comander
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - Thiran Jayasundera
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - Jeffrey Chulay
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | -
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon; Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas; Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Duke Eye Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Newman NJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Subramanian PS, Moster ML, Wang AG, Donahue SP, Leroy BP, Carelli V, Biousse V, Vignal-Clermont C, Sergott RC, Sadun AA, Fernández GR, Chwalisz BK, Banik R, Bazin F, Roux M, Cox ED, Taiel M, Sahel JA. Randomized trial of bilateral gene therapy injection for m.11778G > A MT-ND4 Leber optic neuropathy. Brain 2022; 146:1328-1341. [PMID: 36350566 PMCID: PMC10115230 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is an important example of mitochondrial blindness with the m.11778G > A mutation in the MT-ND4 gene being the most common disease-causing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variant worldwide. The REFLECT phase 3 pivotal study is a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of bilateral intravitreal injection of lenadogene nolparvovec in patients with a confirmed m.11778G > A mutation, using a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector 2, serotype 2 (rAAV2/2-ND4). The first-affected eye received gene therapy; the fellow (affected/not-yet-affected) eye was randomly injected with gene therapy or placebo. The primary endpoint was the difference in change from baseline of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in second-affected/not-yet-affected eyes treated with lenadogene nolparvovec versus placebo at 1.5 years post-treatment, expressed in logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR). Forty-eight patients were treated bilaterally and 50 unilaterally. At 1.5 years, the change from baseline in BCVA was not statistically different between second-affected/not-yet-affected eyes receiving lenadogene nolparvovec and placebo (primary endpoint). A statistically significant improvement in BCVA was reported from baseline to 1.5 years in lenadogene nolparvovec-treated eyes: -0.23 LogMAR for the first-affected eyes of bilaterally treated patients (p < 0.01); and -0.15 LogMAR for second-affected/not-yet-affected eyes of bilaterally treated patients and the first-affected eyes of unilaterally treated patients (p < 0.05). The mean improvement in BCVA from nadir to 1.5 years was -0.38 (0.052) LogMAR and -0.33 (0.052) LogMAR in first-affected and second-affected/not-yet-affected eyes treated with lenadogene nolparvovec, respectively (bilateral treatment group). A mean improvement of -0.33 (0.051) LogMAR and -0.26 (0.051) LogMAR was observed in first-affected lenadogene nolparvovec-treated eyes and second-affected/not-yet-affected placebo-treated eyes, respectively (unilateral treatment group). The proportion of patients with one or both eyes on-chart at 1.5 years was 85.4% and 72.0% for bilaterally and unilaterally treated patients, respectively. The gene therapy was well tolerated, with no systemic issues. Intraocular inflammation, which was mostly mild and well controlled with topical corticosteroids, occurred in 70.7% of lenadogene nolparvovec-treated eyes versus 10.2% of placebo-treated eyes. Among eyes treated with lenadogene nolparvovec, there was no difference in the incidence of intraocular inflammation between bilaterally and unilaterally treated patients. Overall, the REFLECT trial demonstrated an improvement of BCVA in LHON eyes carrying the m.11778G > A mtDNA mutation treated with lenadogene nolparvovec or placebo to a degree not reported in natural history studies and supports an improved benefit/risk profile for bilateral injections of lenadogene nolparvovec relative to unilateral injections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy J Newman
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Prem S Subramanian
- Sue Anschutz-Rodgers University of Colorado Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Mark L Moster
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - An-Guor Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sean P Donahue
- Department of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, and Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Bart P Leroy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Head & Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma di Neurogenetica, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerie Biousse
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Catherine Vignal-Clermont
- Department of Neuro Ophthalmology and Emergencies, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, France
- Centre Hospitalier National D'Ophtalmologie des Quinze Vingts, Paris, France
| | - Robert C Sergott
- Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alfredo A Sadun
- Doheny Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Bart K Chwalisz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
| | - Rudrani Banik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
- Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Phenotypic Variation of Autosomal Recessive Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (arLHON) in One Family. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12112701. [PMID: 36359543 PMCID: PMC9689444 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a rare disease with a prevalence of 1 in 25,000 births. LHON usually presents in young males, with painless loss of visual acuity in one or both eyes. Recently an autosomal recessive form of the disease (arLHON or LHONAR) has been described, which is caused by a biallelic mutation in the DNAJC30 gene (usually a missense mutation c.152A>G). The phenotypic and clinical characteristics of patients with arLHON are similar to those of mtLHON, but some differences have been described. Therapy is problematic and challenging. This paper describes clinical and electrophysiological findings in one family (three children and two parents) with arLHON and emphasizes the role of Photopic Negative Response Electroretinography, which provides objective measurement of retinal ganglion cells function. In Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, abnormal retinal ganglion cells function can be found in both eyes, even if visual acuity loss only occurs in one eye. Early clinical diagnosis, confirmed by genetic analysis, may be the key to sight-preserving treatment.
Collapse
|
28
|
Traitements médicaux dans la neuropathie optique héréditaire de Leber. J Fr Ophtalmol 2022; 45:S24-S31. [DOI: 10.1016/s0181-5512(22)00447-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
29
|
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.
Collapse
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;
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lam BL, Feuer WJ, Davis JL, Porciatti V, Yu H, Levy RB, Vanner E, Guy J. Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Gene Therapy: Adverse Events and Visual Acuity Results of All Patient Groups. Am J Ophthalmol 2022; 241:262-271. [PMID: 35271811 PMCID: PMC9444871 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess safety of gene therapy in G11778A Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). DESIGN Phase 1 clinical trial. METHODS Setting: single institution. PARTICIPANTS Patients with G11778A LHON and chronic bilateral visual loss >12 months (group 1, n = 11), acute bilateral visual loss <12 months (group 2, n = 9), or unilateral visual loss (group 3, n = 8). INTERVENTION unilateral intravitreal AAV2(Y444,500,730F)-P1ND4v2 injection with low, medium, high, and higher doses to worse eye for groups 1 and 2 and better eye for group 3. OUTCOME MEASURES Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), adverse events, and vector antibody responses. Mean follow-up was 24 months (range, 12-36 months); BCVAs were compared with a published prospective natural history cohort with designated surrogate study and fellow eyes. RESULTS Incident uveitis (8 of 28, 29%), the only vector-related adverse event, resulted in no attributable vision sequelae and was related to vector dose: 5 of 7 (71%) higher-dose eyes vs 3 of 21 (14%) low-, medium-, or high-dose eyes (P < .001). Incident uveitis requiring treatment was associated with increased serum AAV2 neutralizing antibody titers (p=0.007) but not serum AAV2 polymerase chain reaction. Improvements of ≥15-letter BCVA occurred in some treated and fellow eyes of groups 1 and 2 and some surrogate study and fellow eyes of natural history subjects. All study eyes (BCVA ≥20/40) in group 3 lost ≥15 letters within the first year despite treatment. CONCLUSIONS G11778A LHON gene therapy has a favorable safety profile. Our results suggest that if there is an efficacy effect, it is likely small and not dose related. Demonstration of efficacy requires randomization of patients to a group not receiving vector in either eye.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Byron L Lam
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (B.L.L., W.J.F., J.L.D., V.P., H.Y., E.V., J.G.) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology (R.B.L.), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
| | - William J Feuer
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (B.L.L., W.J.F., J.L.D., V.P., H.Y., E.V., J.G.) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology (R.B.L.), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Janet L Davis
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (B.L.L., W.J.F., J.L.D., V.P., H.Y., E.V., J.G.) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology (R.B.L.), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Vittorio Porciatti
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (B.L.L., W.J.F., J.L.D., V.P., H.Y., E.V., J.G.) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology (R.B.L.), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Hong Yu
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (B.L.L., W.J.F., J.L.D., V.P., H.Y., E.V., J.G.) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology (R.B.L.), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Robert B Levy
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (B.L.L., W.J.F., J.L.D., V.P., H.Y., E.V., J.G.) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology (R.B.L.), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Elizabeth Vanner
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (B.L.L., W.J.F., J.L.D., V.P., H.Y., E.V., J.G.) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology (R.B.L.), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - John Guy
- From the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (B.L.L., W.J.F., J.L.D., V.P., H.Y., E.V., J.G.) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology (R.B.L.), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wang Y, Li Y, Huang Z, Yang B, Mu N, Yang Z, Deng M, Liao X, Yin G, Nie Y, Chen T, Ma H. Gene delivery of chitosan-graft-polyethyleneimine vectors loaded on scaffolds for nerve regeneration. Carbohydr Polym 2022; 290:119499. [PMID: 35550777 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
As an important transcription factor, c-Jun could upregulate growth factors expression in Schwann cells (SCs). Arginine-Glycine-Aspartate (RGD)-functionalized chitosan-graft-polyethyleneimine (RCP) gene vectors were prepared through the maleic anhydride & the carbodiimide methods, and electrostatically bound with c-Jun plasmids (pJUN), finally loaded on poly-L-lactic acid/silk fibroin parallel fiber films to fabricate nerve scaffold (RCP/pJUN-PSPF@PGA), which could locally deliver c-Jun plasmids into SCs via the mediation of RGD peptides, and upregulate the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in SCs. After the scaffold was bridged in sciatic nerve defect, the delivery of c-Jun plasmids from RCP/pJUN-PSPF@PGA facilitated SCs to sustain the expressions of NGF, BDNF and vascular endothelial growth factor in the injury field, promoting myelination, axonal growth and microvascular generation and nerve regeneration, muscle reinnervation and functional recovery. These results suggested that RCP/pDNA-PSPF@PGA, as an effective gene delivery platform, could provide a local gene therapy to improve nerve regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Wang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Ya Li
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Zhongbing Huang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China.
| | - Bing Yang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Ning Mu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Zhaopu Yang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Min Deng
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Xiaoming Liao
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Guangfu Yin
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Yu Nie
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Tunan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China.
| | - Hua Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: Molecular Pathophysiology and Updates on Gene Therapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081930. [PMID: 36009477 PMCID: PMC9405679 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular pathophysiology of LHON was reviewed and the current status of gene therapy for LHON is updated.
Collapse
|
33
|
Patel DD, Marsic D, Periasamy R, Zolotukhin S, Lipinski DM. Identification of Novel Retinal Pericyte-Targeting rAAV Vectors Through Directed Evolution. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:28. [PMID: 36018583 PMCID: PMC9428359 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.8.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal pericytes play a vital role in maintaining retinal homeostasis, and their dysfunction underlies pathogenesis in such vascular eye diseases as diabetic retinopathy and wet age-related macular degeneration. Consequently, retinal pericytes are attractive therapeutic targets for gene therapy, but effectively targeting pericytes with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors remains a challenge. Methods We introduced genetic modifications into the surface-exposed variable regions of the rAAV2/2 capsid to generate a complex library (>1 × 107) of capsid mutants that were then screened for preferential tropism toward retinal pericytes. Using the Tg(Cspg4-DsRed.T1)1Akik/J reporter mouse model, which has red fluorescent pericytes that can be isolated via flow cytometry in order to recover vector genomes, we performed three rounds of screening and identified seven putative mutants capable of transducing retinal pericytes. Results Following intravitreal administration of mutant vectors packaging ubiquitously expressing green fluorescent protein reporters and postmortem flow cytometry of enzymatically digested retinae, two mutants in particular, Peri-E and Peri-G, demonstrated significantly greater transduction of retinal pericytes than unmodified rAAV2/2 (1.4-fold and 2.8-fold, respectively). Conclusions Although difficult to characterize the effect of each point mutation in the context of multiple amino acid variations from the wild-type AAV2 sequence, we identified several point mutations that may play critical roles in limiting HSPG binding, evading neutralization by murine A20 monoclonal antibodies, modulating antigenicity, and evading ubiquitination to ultimately improve transduction efficiency of retinal pericytes. Translational Relevance Identification of novel retinal pericyte targeting rAAV vectors enables the development of new, long-lasting gene therapies for retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and wet age-related macular degeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dwani D Patel
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Damien Marsic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Porton Advanced Solutions, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ramesh Periasamy
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Sergei Zolotukhin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Daniel M Lipinski
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Chen BS, Yu-Wai-Man P. From Bench to Bedside-Delivering Gene Therapy for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2022; 12:a041282. [PMID: 35863905 PMCID: PMC9310952 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041282] [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] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a rare, maternally inherited mitochondrial disorder that presents with severe bilateral sequential vision loss, due to the selective degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Since the mitochondrial genetic basis for LHON was uncovered in 1988, considerable progress has been made in understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms driving RGC loss, which has enabled the development of therapeutic approaches aimed at mitigating the underlying mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review, we explore the genetics of LHON, from bench to bedside, focusing on the pathogenetic mechanisms and how these have informed the development of different gene therapy approaches, in particular the technique of allotopic expression with adeno-associated viral vectors. Finally, we provide an overview of the recent gene therapy clinical trials and consider the unanswered questions, challenges, and future prospects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benson S Chen
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, United Kingdom
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Palfi A, Chadderton N, Millington-Ward S, Post I, Humphries P, Kenna PF, Farrar GJ. AAV-PHP.eB transduces both the inner and outer retina with high efficacy in mice. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 25:236-249. [PMID: 35474956 PMCID: PMC9018541 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.03.016] [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: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are one of the main gene delivery vehicles used in retinal gene therapy approaches; however, there is a need to further improve the efficacy, tropism, and safety of these vectors. In this study, using a CMV-EGFP expression cassette, we characterize the retinal utility of AAV-PHP.eB, a serotype recently developed by in vivo directed evolution, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and target neurons with high efficacy in mice. Systemic and intravitreal delivery of AAV-PHP.eB resulted in the high transduction efficacy of retinal ganglion and horizontal cells, with systemic delivery providing pan-retinal coverage of the mouse retina. Subretinal delivery transduced photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium cells robustly. EGFP expression (number of transduced cells and mRNA levels) were similar when the retinas were transduced systemically or intravitreally with AAV-PHP.eB or intravitreally with AAV2/2. Notably, in photoreceptors, EGFP fluorescence intensities and mRNA levels were 50–70 times higher, when subretinal injections with AAV-PHP.eB were compared to AAV2/8. Our results demonstrate the pan-retinal transduction of ganglion cells and extremely efficient transduction of photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium cells as the most valuable features of AAV-PHP.eB in the mouse retina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arpad Palfi
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 VF25, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi Chadderton
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 VF25, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sophia Millington-Ward
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 VF25, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Iris Post
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 VF25, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Pete Humphries
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 VF25, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul F Kenna
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 VF25, Dublin, Ireland.,The Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, D02 XK51, Dublin, Ireland
| | - G Jane Farrar
- Department of Genetics, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 VF25, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
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: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [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
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Aldossary AM, Tawfik EA, Alomary MN, Alsudir SA, Alfahad AJ, Alshehri AA, Almughem FA, Mohammed RY, Alzaydi MM. Recent Advances in Mitochondrial Diseases: from Molecular Insights to Therapeutic Perspectives. Saudi Pharm J 2022; 30:1065-1078. [PMID: 36164575 PMCID: PMC9508646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2022.05.011] [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: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are double-membraned cytoplasmic organelles that are responsible for the production of energy in eukaryotic cells. The process is completed through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) by the respiratory chain (RC) in mitochondria. Thousands of mitochondria may be present in each cell, depending on the function of that cell. Primary mitochondria disorder (PMD) is a clinically heterogeneous disease associated with germline mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and/or nuclear DNA (nDNA) genes, and impairs mitochondrial structure and function. Mitochondrial dysfunction can be detected in early childhood and may be severe, progressive and often multi-systemic, involving a wide range of organs. Understanding epigenetic factors and pathways mutations can help pave the way for developing an effective cure. However, the lack of information about the disease (including age of onset, symptoms, clinical phenotype, morbidity and mortality), the limits of current preclinical models and the wide range of phenotypic presentations hamper the development of effective medicines. Although new therapeutic approaches have been introduced with encouraging preclinical and clinical outcomes, there is no definitive cure for PMD. This review highlights recent advances, particularly in children, in terms of etiology, pathophysiology, clinical diagnosis, molecular pathways and epigenetic alterations. Current therapeutic approaches, future advances and proposed new therapeutic plans will also be discussed.
Collapse
|
38
|
Nanjappa R, Dilbeck MD, Economides JR, Horton JC. Fundus imaging of retinal ganglion cells transduced by retrograde transport of rAAV2-retro. Exp Eye Res 2022; 219:109084. [PMID: 35460667 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Access of adeno-associated virus (AAV) to ganglion cells following intravitreal injection for gene therapy is impeded by the internal limiting membrane of the retina. As an alternative, one could transduce ganglion cells via retrograde transport after virus injection into a retinal target nucleus. It is unknown if recombinant AAV2-retro (rAAV2-retro), a variant of AAV2 developed specifically for retrograde transport, is capable of transducing retinal ganglion cells. To address this issue, equal volumes of rAAV2-retro-hSyn-EGFP and rAAV2-retro-hSyn-mCherry were mixed in a micropipette and injected into the rat superior colliculus. The time-course of viral transduction was tracked by performing serial in vivo fundus imaging. Cells that were labeled by the fluorophores within the first week remained consistent in distribution and relative signal strength on follow-up imaging. Most transduced cells were double-labeled, but some were labeled by only EGFP or mCherry. Fundus images were later aligned with retinal wholemounts. Ganglion cells in the wholemounts matched precisely the cells imaged by fundus photography. As seen in the fundus images, ganglion cells in wholemounts were sometimes labeled by only EGFP or mCherry. Overall, there was detectable label in 32-41% of ganglion cells. Analysis of the number of cells labeled by 0, 1, or 2 fluorophores, based on Poisson statistics, yielded an average of 0.66 virions transducing each ganglion cell. Although this represents a low number relative to the quantity of virus injected into the superior colliculus, the ganglion cells showed sustained and robust fluorescent labeling. In the primate, injection of rAAV2-retro into the lateral geniculate nucleus might provide a viable approach for the transduction of ganglion cells, bypassing the obstacles that have prevented effective gene delivery via intravitreal injection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Nanjappa
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Mikayla D Dilbeck
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - John R Economides
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Jonathan C Horton
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gene therapy restores mitochondrial function and protects retinal ganglion cells in optic neuropathy induced by a mito-targeted mutant ND1 gene. Gene Ther 2022; 29:368-378. [PMID: 35383288 PMCID: PMC9233058 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00333-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Therapies for genetic disorders caused by mutated mitochondrial DNA are an unmet need, in large part due barriers in delivering DNA to the organelle and the absence of relevant animal models. We injected into mouse eyes a mitochondrially targeted Adeno-Associated-Virus (MTS-AAV) to deliver the mutant human NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit I (hND1/m.3460G>A) responsible for Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, the most common primary mitochondrial genetic disease. We show that the expression of the mutant hND1 delivered to retinal ganglion cells (RGC) layer colocalizes with the mitochondrial marker PORIN and the assembly of the expressed hND1 protein into host respiration complex I. The hND1 injected eyes exhibit hallmarks of the human disease with progressive loss of RGC function and number, as well as optic nerve degeneration. We also show that gene therapy in the hND1 eyes by means of an injection of a second MTS-AAV vector carrying wild type human ND1 restores mitochondrial respiratory complex I activity, the rate of ATP synthesis and protects RGCs and their axons from dysfunction and degeneration. These results prove that MTS-AAV is a highly efficient gene delivery approach with the ability to create mito-animal models and has the therapeutic potential to treat mitochondrial genetic diseases.
Collapse
|
40
|
Fajardo-Serrano A, Rico AJ, Roda E, Honrubia A, Arrieta S, Ariznabarreta G, Chocarro J, Lorenzo-Ramos E, Pejenaute A, Vázquez A, Lanciego JL. Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors as Versatile Tools for Neurological Disorders: Focus on Delivery Routes and Therapeutic Perspectives. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040746. [PMID: 35453499 PMCID: PMC9025350 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040746] [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: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It is without doubt that the gene therapy field is currently in the spotlight for the development of new therapeutics targeting unmet medical needs. Thus, considering the gene therapy scenario, neurological diseases in general and neurodegenerative disorders in particular are emerging as the most appealing choices for new therapeutic arrivals intended to slow down, stop, or even revert the natural progressive course that characterizes most of these devastating neurodegenerative processes. Since an extensive coverage of all available literature is not feasible in practical terms, here emphasis was made in providing some advice to beginners in the field with a narrow focus on elucidating the best delivery route available for fulfilling any given AAV-based therapeutic approach. Furthermore, it is worth nothing that the number of ongoing clinical trials is increasing at a breath-taking speed. Accordingly, a landscape view of preclinical and clinical initiatives is also provided here in an attempt to best illustrate what is ongoing in this quickly expanding field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Fajardo-Serrano
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Correspondence: (A.F.-S.); (J.L.L.)
| | - Alberto J. Rico
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Elvira Roda
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Adriana Honrubia
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Sandra Arrieta
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Goiaz Ariznabarreta
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Julia Chocarro
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Elena Lorenzo-Ramos
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Alvaro Pejenaute
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Alfonso Vázquez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Servicio Navarro de Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - José Luis Lanciego
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Department of Neuroscience, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.J.R.); (E.R.); (A.H.); (S.A.); (G.A.); (J.C.); (E.L.-R.); (A.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CiberNed), 23038 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Correspondence: (A.F.-S.); (J.L.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Porciatti V, Alba DE, Feuer WJ, Davis J, Guy J, Lam BL. The Relationship Between Stage of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy and Pattern Electroretinogram Latency. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:31. [PMID: 35344016 PMCID: PMC8976918 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.3.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the baseline steady-state pattern electroretinogram (SS-PERG) of patients with G11778A Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) with different stages of visual acuity (VA) loss before allotopic gene therapy (GT). Methods Patients (n = 28) were enrolled into groups (GT I: chronic bilateral VA ≤35 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS]; GT II: acute bilateral VA ≤35 ETDRS; GT III: acute unilateral, VA ≤35 ETDRS, and better eye VA ≥70 ETDRS) and tested with SS-PERG together with 210 age-matched normal controls (NCs). SS-PERG amplitude (nV) and latency (ms) of each eye were averaged for groups GT I, GT II, and NC. Symptomatic eyes (GT III-S) and asymptomatic eyes (GT III-A) of group GT III were included separately and accounted for by using generalized estimating equation (GEE) methods. Results Compared to NC, SS-PERG amplitudes were reduced similarly by approximately 50% (P < 0.001) among all GT groups (NC > GT I, GT II, GT III-S, and GT III-A). SS-PERG latencies were shorter by ≥3.5 ms in all LHON groups and differed by disease stage (G III-A < NC, P = 0.002; GT III-S < GT III-A, P = 0.01; GT II < GT III-S, P = 0.03; GT I < NC, P < 0.001, but not different from other GT groups, all P > 0.1). Conclusions Although SS-PERG amplitude reduction did not distinguish between disease stages, SS-PERG latency shortening occurred in asymptomatic eyes and symptomatic eyes and distinguished between disease stages. Translational Relevance SS-PERG latency shortening is consistent with primary damage of smaller/slower axons and sparing of larger/faster axons and may provide an objective staging of LHON, which may be helpful to determine efficacy in LHON trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Porciatti
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Diego E Alba
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - William J Feuer
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Janet Davis
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - John Guy
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Byron L Lam
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Marcos LF, Wilson SL, Roach P. Tissue engineering of the retina: from organoids to microfluidic chips. J Tissue Eng 2021; 12:20417314211059876. [PMID: 34917332 PMCID: PMC8669127 DOI: 10.1177/20417314211059876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advancements in tissue engineering, challenges remain for fabricating functional tissues that incorporate essential features including vasculature and complex cellular organisation. Monitoring of engineered tissues also raises difficulties, particularly when cell population maturity is inherent to function. Microfluidic, or lab-on-a-chip, platforms address the complexity issues of conventional 3D models regarding cell numbers and functional connectivity. Regulation of biochemical/biomechanical conditions can create dynamic structures, providing microenvironments that permit tissue formation while quantifying biological processes at a single cell level. Retinal organoids provide relevant cell numbers to mimic in vivo spatiotemporal development, where conventional culture approaches fail. Modern bio-fabrication techniques allow for retinal organoids to be combined with microfluidic devices to create anato-physiologically accurate structures or ‘retina-on-a-chip’ devices that could revolution ocular sciences. Here we present a focussed review of retinal tissue engineering, examining the challenges and how some of these have been overcome using organoids, microfluidics, and bioprinting technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Marcos
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Samantha L Wilson
- Centre for Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Paul Roach
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Calkins DJ, Yu-Wai-Man P, Newman NJ, Taiel M, Singh P, Chalmey C, Rogue A, Carelli V, Ancian P, Sahel JA. Biodistribution of intravitreal lenadogene nolparvovec gene therapy in nonhuman primates. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 23:307-318. [PMID: 34729378 PMCID: PMC8526752 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Lenadogene nolparvovec (Lumevoq) gene therapy was developed to treat Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) caused by the m.11778G > A in MT-ND4 that affects complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Lenadogene nolparvovec is a replication-defective, single-stranded DNA recombinant adeno-associated virus vector 2 serotype 2, containing a codon-optimized complementary DNA encoding the human wild-type MT-ND4 subunit protein. Lenadogene nolparvovec was administered by unilateral intravitreal injection in MT-ND4 LHON patients in two randomized, double-masked, and sham-controlled phase III clinical trials (REVERSE and RESCUE), resulting in bilateral improvement of visual acuity. These and other earlier results suggest that lenadogene nolparvovec may travel from the treated to the untreated eye. To investigate this possibility further, lenadogene nolparvovec was unilaterally injected into the vitreous body of the right eye of healthy, nonhuman primates. Viral vector DNA was quantifiable in all eye and optic nerve tissues of the injected eye and was detected at lower levels in some tissues of the contralateral, noninjected eye, and optic projections, at 3 and 6 months after injection. The results suggest that lenadogene nolparvovec transfers from the injected to the noninjected eye, thus providing a potential explanation for the bilateral improvement of visual function observed in the LHON patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J. Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nancy J. Newman
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Magali Taiel
- GenSight Biologics, 74 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, 75012 Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Valerio Carelli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Clinica, Neurologica, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - José A. Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
- Fondation Ophtalmologique A. de Rothschild, Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Jüschke C, Klopstock T, Catarino CB, Owczarek-Lipska M, Wissinger B, Neidhardt J. Autosomal dominant optic atrophy: A novel treatment for OPA1 splice defects using U1 snRNA adaption. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:1186-1197. [PMID: 34853716 PMCID: PMC8604756 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) is frequently caused by mutations in the optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) gene, with haploinsufficiency being the major genetic pathomechanism. Almost 30% of the OPA1-associated cases suffer from splice defects. We identified a novel OPA1 mutation, c.1065+5G>A, in patients with ADOA. In patient-derived fibroblasts, the mutation led to skipping of OPA1 exon 10, reducing the OPA1 protein expression by approximately 50%. We developed a molecular treatment to correct the splice defect in OPA1 using engineered U1 splice factors retargeted to different locations in OPA1 exon 10 or intron 10. The strongest therapeutic effect was detected when U1 binding was engineered to bind to intron 10 at position +18, a position predicted by bioinformatics to be a promising binding site. We were able to significantly silence the effect of the mutation (skipping of exon 10) and simultaneously increase the expression level of normal transcripts. Retargeting U1 to the canonical splice donor site did not lead to a detectable splice correction. This proof-of-concept study indicates for the first time the feasibility of splice mutation correction as a treatment option for ADOA. Increasing the amount of correctly spliced OPA1 transcripts may suffice to overcome the haploinsufficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Jüschke
- Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Friedrich-Baur Institute, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia B. Catarino
- Friedrich-Baur Institute, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Marta Owczarek-Lipska
- Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Wissinger
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - John Neidhardt
- Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Joint Research Training Group of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany and University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
- Correspondence: John Neidhardt, Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstrasse 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Britten-Jones AC, Jin R, Gocuk SA, Cichello E, O'Hare F, Hickey DG, Edwards TL, Ayton LN. The safety and efficacy of gene therapy treatment for monogenic retinal and optic nerve diseases: A systematic review. Genet Med 2021; 24:521-534. [PMID: 34906485 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2021.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to systematically review and summarize gene therapy treatment for monogenic retinal and optic nerve diseases. METHODS This review was prospectively registered (CRD42021229812). A comprehensive literature search was performed in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Central, and clinical trial registries (February 2021). Clinical studies describing DNA-based gene therapy treatments for monogenic posterior ocular diseases were eligible for inclusion. Risk of bias evaluation was performed. Data synthesis was undertaken applying Synthesis Without Meta-analysis guidelines. RESULTS This study identified 47 full-text publications, 50 conference abstracts, and 54 clinical trial registry entries describing DNA-based ocular gene therapy treatments for 16 different genetic variants. Study summaries and visual representations of safety and efficacy outcomes are presented for 20 unique full-text publications in RPE65-mediated retinal dystrophies, choroideremia, Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, rod-cone dystrophy, achromatopsia, and X-linked retinoschisis. The most common adverse events were related to lid/ocular surface/cornea abnormalities in subretinal gene therapy trials and anterior uveitis in intravitreal gene therapy trials. CONCLUSION There is a high degree of variability in ocular monogenic gene therapy trials with respect to study design, statistical methodology, and reporting of safety and efficacy outcomes. This review improves the accessibility and transparency in interpreting gene therapy trials to date.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Ceecee Britten-Jones
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Rui Jin
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sena A Gocuk
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elise Cichello
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fleur O'Hare
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Doron G Hickey
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas L Edwards
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lauren N Ayton
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Shughoury A, Ciulla TA, Bakall B, Pennesi ME, Kiss S, Cunningham ET. Genes and Gene Therapy in Inherited Retinal Disease. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2021; 61:3-45. [PMID: 34584043 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
47
|
Wang Y, Hu LF, Zhou TJ, Qi LY, Xing L, Lee J, Wang FZ, Oh YK, Jiang HL. Gene therapy strategies for rare monogenic disorders with nuclear or mitochondrial gene mutations. Biomaterials 2021; 277:121108. [PMID: 34478929 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Rare monogenic disorders are a group of single-gene-mutated diseases that have a low incidence rate (less than 0.5‰) and eventually lead to patient disability and even death. Due to the relatively low number of people affected, these diseases typically fail to attract a great deal of commercial investment and research interest, and the affected patients thus have unmet medical needs. Advances in genomics biology, gene editing, and gene delivery can now offer potentially effective options for treating rare monogenic diseases. Herein, we review the application of gene therapy strategies (traditional gene therapy and gene editing) against various rare monogenic diseases with nuclear or mitochondrial gene mutations, including eye, central nervous system, pulmonary, systemic, and blood cell diseases. We summarize their pathologic features, address the barriers to gene delivery for these diseases, discuss available therapies in the clinic and in clinical trials, and sum up in-development gene delivery systems for various rare monogenic disorders. Finally, we elaborate the possible directions and outlook of gene therapy for rare monogenic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Li-Fan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Tian-Jiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Lian-Yu Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Lei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, China
| | - Jaiwoo Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Feng-Zhen Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221006, China.
| | - Yu-Kyoung Oh
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hu-Lin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, China; Key Lab of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Mohana Devi S, Abishek Kumar B, Mahalaxmi I, Balachandar V. Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy: Current approaches and future perspectives on Mesenchymal stem cell-mediated rescue. Mitochondrion 2021; 60:201-218. [PMID: 34454075 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is an inherited optic nerve disorder. It is a mitochondrially inherited disease due to point mutation in the MT-ND1, MT-ND4, and MT-ND6 genes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) coding for complex I subunit proteins. These mutations affect the assembly of the mitochondrial complex I and hence the electron transport chain leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage. Optic nerve cells like retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are more sensitive to mitochondrial loss and oxidative damage which results in the progressive degeneration of RGCs at the axonal region of the optic nerve leading to bilateral vision loss. Currently, gene therapy using Adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) is widely studied for the therapeutics application in LHON. Our review highlights the application of cell-based therapy for LHON. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to rescue cells from the pre-apoptotic stage by transferring healthy mitochondria through tunneling nanotubes (TNT) for cellular oxidative function. Empowering the transfer of healthy mitochondria using MSCs may replace the mitochondria with pathogenic mutation and possibly benefit the cells from progressive damage. This review discusses the ongoing research in LHON and mitochondrial transfer mechanisms to explore its scope in inherited optic neuropathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subramaniam Mohana Devi
- SN ONGC Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India.
| | - B Abishek Kumar
- SN ONGC Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
| | - Iyer Mahalaxmi
- Livestock Farming and Bioresource Technology, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vellingiri Balachandar
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Shurygina MF, Khoteeva AM. [Diagnostics of inherited retinal degenerations by gene therapy]. Vestn Oftalmol 2021; 137:145-151. [PMID: 34410070 DOI: 10.17116/oftalma2021137041145] [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: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The article presents recent worldwide achievements in the area of diagnosis and treatment of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) from the standpoint of ophthalmic genetics. Clinical studies conducted in patients with Leber congenital amaurosis and retinitis pigmentosa caused by biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene have provided the basis for future genes studies associated with IRDs. The conducted studies highlight the importance of fundamental understanding of function of the gene, timely diagnosis and study of natural history of the disease. Currently, surgical techniques are being improved for the efficient delivery of gene preparations to target cells, as well as the criteria for evaluating treatment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M F Shurygina
- S.N. Fedorov National Medical Research Center «MNTK «Eye Microsurgery», Moscow, Russia.,Center of Genetics and Reproductive Medicine «Genetico», Moscow, Russia
| | - A M Khoteeva
- S.N. Fedorov National Medical Research Center «MNTK «Eye Microsurgery», Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Ji MH, Kreymerman A, Belle K, Ghiam BK, Muscat SR, Mahajan VB, Enns GM, Mercola M, Wood EH. The Present and Future of Mitochondrial-Based Therapeutics for Eye Disease. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:4. [PMID: 34232272 PMCID: PMC8267180 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.8.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Translational Relevance Mitochondria are viable therapeutic targets for a broad spectrum of ocular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco H Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Kreymerman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kinsley Belle
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin K Ghiam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Stephanie R Muscat
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Vinit B Mahajan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Gregory M Enns
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Mark Mercola
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Edward H Wood
- Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|