1
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Xue Y, Zhou Y, Cepko CL. Txnip deletions and missense alleles prolong the survival of cones in a retinitis pigmentosa mouse model. eLife 2024; 12:RP90749. [PMID: 38727583 PMCID: PMC11087050 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90749] [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] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disease in which there is a loss of cone-mediated daylight vision. As there are >100 disease genes, our goal is to preserve cone vision in a disease gene-agnostic manner. Previously we showed that overexpressing TXNIP, an α-arrestin protein, prolonged cone vision in RP mouse models, using an AAV to express it only in cones. Here, we expressed different alleles of Txnip in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), a support layer for cones. Our goal was to learn more of TXNIP's structure-function relationships for cone survival, as well as determine the optimal cell type expression pattern for cone survival. The C-terminal half of TXNIP was found to be sufficient to remove GLUT1 from the cell surface, and improved RP cone survival, when expressed in the RPE, but not in cones. Knock-down of HSP90AB1, a TXNIP-interactor which regulates metabolism, improved the survival of cones alone and was additive for cone survival when combined with TXNIP. From these and other results, it is likely that TXNIP interacts with several proteins in the RPE to indirectly support cone survival, with some of these interactions different from those that lead to cone survival when expressed only in cones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlu Xue
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Lingang LaboratoryShanghaiChina
| | - Yimin Zhou
- Lingang LaboratoryShanghaiChina
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Constance L Cepko
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteBostonUnited States
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2
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Xue Y, Zhou Y, Cepko CL. Txnip deletions and missense alleles prolong the survival of cones in a retinitis pigmentosa mouse model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.03.551766. [PMID: 38370727 PMCID: PMC10871187 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.03.551766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a prevalent inherited retinal degenerative disease worldwide, affecting 1 in 4,000 people. The disease is characterized by an initial loss of night vision followed by a loss of daylight and color vision. Many of the RP disease genes are expressed in the rod photoreceptors, the cell type that initiates dim light vision. Following loss of rods, the cone photoreceptors, which initiate daylight vision, also are affected and can die leading to total loss of vision. The reasons for loss of cone vision are not entirely clear, but appear to be due to loss of the rods. Previously we showed that overexpressing Txnip, an α-arrestin protein, in mouse models of RP using AAV gene therapy prolonged the survival of RP cones (Xue et al., 2021). At least part of the mechanism for cone survival was a switch in the fuel source, from glucose to lactate. In addition, the mitochondria of cones were both morphologically and functionally improved by delivery of Txnip. We have gone on to test several alleles of Txnip for the ability to prolong cone survival in rd1, a mouse model of RP. In addition, proteins that bind to Txnip and/or have homology to Txnip were tested. Five different deletion alleles of Txnip were expressed in cones or the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). Here we show that the C-terminal half of Txnip (149-397aa) is sufficient to remove GLUT1 from the RPE cell surface, and improved rd1 cone survival when expressed specifically in the RPE. Overexpressing Arrdc4, an α-arrestin that shares 60% similar protein sequence to Txnip, reduced rd1 cone survival. Reduction of the expression of HSP90AB1, a protein that interacts with Txnip and regulates metabolism, improved the survival of rd1 cones alone and was additive for cone survival when combined with Txnip. However, full length Txnip with a single amino acid change, C247S, as we tested in our original study, remains the most highly efficacious form of the gene for cone rescue. The above observations suggest that only a subset of the hypothesized and known activities of Txnip play a role in promoting RP cone survival, and that the activities of Txnip in the RPE differ from those in cone photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlu Xue
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China, 200031
| | - Yimin Zhou
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China, 200031
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China, 201210
| | - Constance L. Cepko
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115
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3
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Khabou H, Orendorff E, Trapani F, Rucli M, Desrosiers M, Yger P, Dalkara D, Marre O. Optogenetic targeting of AII amacrine cells restores retinal computations performed by the inner retina. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101107. [PMID: 37868206 PMCID: PMC10589896 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.09.003] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Most inherited retinal dystrophies display progressive photoreceptor cell degeneration leading to severe visual impairment. Optogenetic reactivation of inner retinal neurons is a promising avenue to restore vision in retinas having lost their photoreceptors. Expression of optogenetic proteins in surviving ganglion cells, the retinal output, allows them to take on the lost photoreceptive function. Nonetheless, this creates an exclusively ON retina by expression of depolarizing optogenetic proteins in all classes of ganglion cells, whereas a normal retina extracts several features from the visual scene, with different ganglion cells detecting light increase (ON) and light decrease (OFF). Refinement of this therapeutic strategy should thus aim at restoring these computations. Here we used a vector that targets gene expression to a specific interneuron of the retina called the AII amacrine cell. AII amacrine cells simultaneously activate the ON pathway and inhibit the OFF pathway. We show that the optogenetic stimulation of AII amacrine cells allows restoration of both ON and OFF responses in the retina, but also mediates other types of retinal processing such as sustained and transient responses. Targeting amacrine cells with optogenetics is thus a promising avenue to restore better retinal function and visual perception in patients suffering from retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanen Khabou
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Elaine Orendorff
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Francesco Trapani
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Marco Rucli
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Melissa Desrosiers
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Yger
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Marre
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
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4
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Hanna K, Nieves J, Dowd C, Bender KO, Sharma P, Singh B, Renz M, Ver Hoeve JN, Cepeda D, Gelfman CM, Riley BE, Grishanin RN. Preclinical evaluation of ADVM-062, a novel intravitreal gene therapy vector for the treatment of blue cone monochromacy. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2014-2027. [PMID: 36932675 PMCID: PMC10362383 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.011] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Blue cone monochromacy (BCM) is a rare X-linked retinal disease characterized by the absence of L- and M-opsin in cone photoreceptors, considered a potential gene therapy candidate. However, most experimental ocular gene therapies utilize subretinal vector injection which would pose a risk to the fragile central retinal structure of BCM patients. Here we describe the use of ADVM-062, a vector optimized for cone-specific expression of human L-opsin and administered using a single intravitreal (IVT) injection. Pharmacological activity of ADVM-062 was established in gerbils, whose cone-rich retina naturally lacks L-opsin. A single IVT administration dose of ADVM-062 effectively transduced gerbil cone photoreceptors and produced a de novo response to long-wavelength stimuli. To identify potential first-in-human doses we evaluated ADVM-062 in non-human primates. Cone-specific expression of ADVM-062 in primates was confirmed using ADVM-062.myc, a vector engineered with the same regulatory elements as ADVM-062. Enumeration of human OPN1LW.myc-positive cones demonstrated that doses ≥3 × 1010 vg/eye resulted in transduction of 18%-85% of foveal cones. A Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicology study established that IVT administration of ADVM-062 was well tolerated at doses that could potentially achieve clinically meaningful effect, thus supporting the potential of ADVM-062 as a one-time IVT gene therapy for BCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Hanna
- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | - Julio Nieves
- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | - Christine Dowd
- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | | | - Pallavi Sharma
- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | - Baljit Singh
- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | - Mark Renz
- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | | | - Diana Cepeda
- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
| | | | - Brigit E Riley
- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., Redwood City, CA 94063, USA.
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5
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Zin EA, Ozturk BE, Dalkara D, Byrne LC. Developing New Vectors for Retinal Gene Therapy. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2023; 13:a041291. [PMID: 36987583 PMCID: PMC10691475 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Since their discovery over 55 years ago, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have become powerful tools for experimental and therapeutic in vivo gene delivery, particularly in the retina. Increasing knowledge of AAV structure and biology has propelled forward the development of engineered AAV vectors with improved abilities for gene delivery. However, major obstacles to safe and efficient therapeutic gene delivery remain, including tropism, inefficient and untargeted gene delivery, and limited carrying capacity. Additional improvements to AAV vectors will be required to achieve therapeutic benefit while avoiding safety issues. In this review, we provide an overview of recent methods for engineering-enhanced AAV capsids, as well as remaining challenges that must be overcome to achieve optimized therapeutic gene delivery in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia A Zin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Bilge E Ozturk
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Leah C Byrne
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
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6
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Mohan K, Dubey SK, Jung K, Dubey R, Wang QJ, Prajapati S, Roney J, Abney J, Kleinman ME. Long-Term Evaluation of Retinal Morphology and Function in Rosa26-Cas9 Knock-In Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5186. [PMID: 36982266 PMCID: PMC10049241 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065186] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a robust, efficient, and cost-effective gene editing tool widely adopted in translational studies of ocular diseases. However, in vivo CRISPR-based editing in animal models poses challenges such as the efficient delivery of the CRISPR components in viral vectors with limited packaging capacity and a Cas9-associated immune response. Using a germline Cas9-expressing mouse model would help to overcome these limitations. Here, we evaluated the long-term effects of SpCas9 expression on retinal morphology and function using Rosa26-Cas9 knock-in mice. We observed abundant SpCas9 expression in the RPE and retina of Rosa26-Cas9 mice using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunostaining. SD-OCT imaging and histological analysis of the RPE, retinal layers, and vasculature showed no apparent structural abnormalities in adult and aged Cas9 mice. Full-field electroretinogram of adult and aged Cas9 mice showed no long-term functional changes in the retinal tissues because of constitutive Cas9 expression. The current study showed that both the retina and RPE maintain their phenotypic and functional features in Cas9 knock-in mice, establishing this as an ideal animal model for developing therapeutics for retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabhilan Mohan
- Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA (S.K.D.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Sushil Kumar Dubey
- Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA (S.K.D.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Kyungsik Jung
- Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA (S.K.D.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Rashmi Dubey
- Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA (S.K.D.)
| | - Qing Jun Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Subhash Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jacob Roney
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Jennifer Abney
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Mark Ellsworth Kleinman
- Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA (S.K.D.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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7
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Ross M, Obolensky A, Averbukh E, Desrosiers M, Ezra-Elia R, Honig H, Yamin E, Rosov A, Dvir H, Gootwine E, Banin E, Dalkara D, Ofri R. Outer retinal transduction by AAV2-7m8 following intravitreal injection in a sheep model of CNGA3 achromatopsia. Gene Ther 2022; 29:624-635. [PMID: 34853444 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Sheep carrying a mutated CNGA3 gene exhibit diminished cone function and provide a naturally occurring large animal model of achromatopsia. Subretinal injection of a vector carrying the CNGA3 transgene resulted in long-term recovery of cone function and photopic vision in these sheep. Research is underway to develop efficacious vectors that would enable safer transgene delivery, while avoiding potential drawbacks of subretinal injections. The current study evaluated two modified vectors, adeno-associated virus 2-7m8 (AAV2-7m8) and AAV9-7m8. Intravitreal injection of AAV2-7m8 carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein under a cone-specific promoter resulted in moderate photoreceptor transduction in wild-type sheep, whereas peripheral subretinal delivery of AAV9-7m8 resulted in the radial spread of the vector beyond the point of deposition. Intravitreal injection of AAV2-7m8 carrying human CNGA3 in mutant sheep resulted in mild photoreceptor transduction, but did not lead to the clinical rescue of photopic vision, while day-blind sheep treated with a subretinal injection exhibited functional recovery of photopic vision. Transgene messenger RNA levels in retinas of intravitreally treated eyes amounted to 4-23% of the endogenous CNGA3 levels, indicating that expression levels >23% are needed to achieve clinical rescue. Overall, our results indicate intravitreal injections of AAV2.7m8 transduce ovine photoreceptors, but not with sufficient efficacy to achieve clinical rescue in CNGA3 mutant sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ross
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - A Obolensky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - E Averbukh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - M Desrosiers
- Department of Therapeutics, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - R Ezra-Elia
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - H Honig
- Department of Animal Science, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - E Yamin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - A Rosov
- Department of Animal Science, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - H Dvir
- Department of Animal Science, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - E Gootwine
- Department of Animal Science, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - E Banin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - D Dalkara
- Department of Therapeutics, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - R Ofri
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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8
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Leroy BP, Fischer MD, Flannery JG, MacLaren RE, Dalkara D, Scholl HPN, Chung DC, Spera C, Viriato D, Banhazi J. Gene Therapy for Inherited Retinal Disease: Long-Term Durability of Effect. Ophthalmic Res 2022; 66:179-196. [PMID: 36103843 DOI: 10.1159/000526317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The recent approval of voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna®) for patients with biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated inherited retinal dystrophy with viable retinal cells represents an important step in the development of ocular gene therapies. Herein, we review studies investigating the episomal persistence of different recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector genomes and the preclinical and clinical evidence of long-term effects of different RPE65 gene replacement therapies. A targeted review of articles published between 1974 and January 2021 in Medline®, Embase®, and other databases was conducted, followed by a descriptive longitudinal analysis of the clinical trial outcomes of voretigene neparvovec. Following an initial screening, 14 publications examining the episomal persistence of different rAAV genomes and 71 publications evaluating gene therapies in animal models were included. Viral genomes were found to persist for at least 22 months (longest study follow-up) as transcriptionally active episomes. Treatment effects lasting almost a decade were reported in canine disease models, with more pronounced effects the earlier the intervention. The clinical trial outcomes of voretigene neparvovec are consistent with preclinical findings and reveal sustained results for up to 7.5 years for the full-field light sensitivity threshold test and 5 years for the multi-luminance mobility test in the Phase I and Phase III trials, respectively. In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of voretigene neparvovec lasts for at least a decade in animal models and 7.5 years in human subjects. Since retinal cells can retain functionality over their lifetime after transduction, these effects may be expected to last even longer in patients with a sufficient number of outer retinal cells at the time of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart P Leroy
- Department of Ophthalmology & Centre for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital & Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Division of Ophthalmology & Center for Cellular & Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - M Dominik Fischer
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Oxford Eye Hospital, University of Oxford NHS Foundation Trust and NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - John G Flannery
- School of Optometry and the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Oxford Eye Hospital, University of Oxford NHS Foundation Trust and NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Hendrik P N Scholl
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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9
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Panikker P, Roy S, Ghosh A, Poornachandra B, Ghosh A. Advancing precision medicines for ocular disorders: Diagnostic genomics to tailored therapies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:906482. [PMID: 35911417 PMCID: PMC9334564 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.906482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful sequencing of the human genome and evolving functional knowledge of gene products has taken genomic medicine to the forefront, soon combining broadly with traditional diagnostics, therapeutics, and prognostics in patients. Recent years have witnessed an extraordinary leap in our understanding of ocular diseases and their respective genetic underpinnings. As we are entering the age of genomic medicine, rapid advances in genome sequencing, gene delivery, genome surgery, and computational genomics enable an ever-increasing capacity to provide a precise and robust diagnosis of diseases and the development of targeted treatment strategies. Inherited retinal diseases are a major source of blindness around the world where a large number of causative genes have been identified, paving the way for personalized diagnostics in the clinic. Developments in functional genetics and gene transfer techniques has also led to the first FDA approval of gene therapy for LCA, a childhood blindness. Many such retinal diseases are the focus of various clinical trials, making clinical diagnoses of retinal diseases, their underlying genetics and the studies of natural history important. Here, we review methodologies for identifying new genes and variants associated with various ocular disorders and the complexities associated with them. Thereafter we discuss briefly, various retinal diseases and the application of genomic technologies in their diagnosis. We also discuss the strategies, challenges, and potential of gene therapy for the treatment of inherited and acquired retinal diseases. Additionally, we discuss the translational aspects of gene therapy, the important vector types and considerations for human trials that may help advance personalized therapeutics in ophthalmology. Retinal disease research has led the application of precision diagnostics and precision therapies; therefore, this review provides a general understanding of the current status of precision medicine in ophthalmology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shomereeta Roy
- Grow Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
| | - Anuprita Ghosh
- Grow Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- Grow Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bengaluru, India
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10
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The landscape of submicroscopic structural variants at the OPN1LW/OPN1MW gene cluster on Xq28 underlying blue cone monochromacy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2115538119. [PMID: 35759666 PMCID: PMC9271157 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2115538119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Blue cone monochromacy (BCM) is an X-linked retinal disorder characterized by low vision, photoaversion, and poor color discrimination. BCM is due to the lack of long-wavelength-sensitive and middle-wavelength-sensitive cone photoreceptor function and caused by mutations in the OPN1LW/OPN1MW gene cluster on Xq28. Here, we investigated the prevalence and the landscape of submicroscopic structural variants (SVs) at single-base resolution in BCM patients. We found that about one-third (n = 73) of the 213 molecularly confirmed BCM families carry an SV, most commonly deletions restricted to the OPN1LW/OPN1MW gene cluster. The structure and precise breakpoints of the SVs were resolved in all but one of the 73 families. Twenty-two families-all from the United States-showed the same SV, and we confirmed a common ancestry of this mutation. In total, 42 distinct SVs were identified, including 40 previously unreported SVs, thereby quadrupling the number of precisely mapped SVs underlying BCM. Notably, there was no "region of overlap" among these SVs. However, 90% of SVs encompass the upstream locus control region, an essential enhancer element. Its minimal functional extent based on deletion mapping in patients was refined to 358 bp. Breakpoint analyses suggest diverse mechanisms underlying SV formation as well as in one case the gene conversion-based exchange of a 142-bp deletion between opsin genes. Using parsimonious assumptions, we reconstructed the composition and copy number of the OPN1LW/OPN1MW gene cluster prior to the mutation event and found evidence that large gene arrays may be predisposed to the occurrence of SVs at this locus.
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11
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Rudnick ND, Kim LA, Comander J. Adeno-associated Viral Vectors in the Retina: Delivering Gene Therapy to the Right Destination. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2022; 62:215-229. [PMID: 35325920 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
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12
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She K, Su J, Wang Q, Liu Y, Zhong X, Jin X, Zhao Q, Xiao J, Li R, Deng H, Lu F, Yang Y, Wei Y. Delivery of nVEGFi using AAV8 for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 24:210-221. [PMID: 35141350 PMCID: PMC8800040 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the standard therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). However, anti-VEGF agents used in the clinic require repeated injections, causing adverse effects. Gene therapy could provide sustained anti-VEGF levels after a single injection, thereby drastically decreasing the treatment burden and improving visual outcomes. In this study, we developed a novel VEGF Trap, nVEGFi, containing domains 1 and 2 of VEGFR1 and domain 3 of VEGFR2 fused to the Fc portion of human IgG. The nVEGFi had a higher expression level than aflibercept under the same expression cassettes of adeno-associated virus (AAV)8 in vitro and in vivo. nVEGFi was found to be noninferior to aflibercept in binding and blocking VEGF in vitro. AAV8-mediated expression of nVEGFi was maintained for at least 12 weeks by subretinal delivery in C57BL/6J mice. In a mouse laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model, 4 × 108 genome copies of AAV8-nVEGFi exhibited a significantly increased reduction in the CNV area compared with AAV8-aflibercept (78.1% vs. 63.9%, p < 0.05), while causing no structural or functional changes to the retina. In conclusion, this preclinical study showed that subretinal injection of AAV8-nVEGFi was long lasting, well tolerated, and effective for nAMD treatment, supporting future translation to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiqin She
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Qingnan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xiu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Qinyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jianlu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ruiting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hongxin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Fang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.37, Guoxue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, No. 1, Ke-yuan Road 4, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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Structural and functional characterization of an achromatopsia-associated mutation in a phototransduction channel. Commun Biol 2022; 5:190. [PMID: 35233102 PMCID: PMC8888761 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03120-6] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous missense mutations in cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels cause achromatopsia and retinitis pigmentosa, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are often unclear. We investigated the structural basis and molecular/cellular effects of R410W, an achromatopsia-associated, presumed loss-of-function mutation in human CNGA3. Cryo-EM structures of the Caenorhabditis elegans TAX-4 CNG channel carrying the analogous mutation, R421W, show that most apo channels are open. R421, located in the gating ring, interacts with the S4 segment in the closed state. R421W disrupts this interaction, destabilizes the closed state, and stabilizes the open state. CNGA3_R410W/CNGB3 and TAX4_R421W channels are spontaneously active without cGMP and induce cell death, suggesting cone degeneration triggered by spontaneous CNG channel activity as a possible cause of achromatopsia. Our study sheds new light on CNG channel allosteric gating, provides an impetus for a reevaluation of reported loss-of-function CNG channel missense disease mutations, and has implications for mutation-specific treatment of retinopathy. The R410W mutation in the cone photoreceptor CNG channel, linked to achromatopsia and assumed to be a loss-of-function variant, causes the channel to open spontaneously as revealed by cryo-EM, electrophysiology and calcium imaging, and is cytotoxic. This study calls for a multipronged evaluation/reevaluation of other inherited mutations associated with CNG channelopathy.
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14
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Lohia A, Sahel DK, Salman M, Singh V, Mariappan I, Mittal A, Chitkara D. Delivery Strategies for CRISPR/Cas Genome editing tool for Retinal Dystrophies: challenges and opportunities. Asian J Pharm Sci 2022; 17:153-176. [PMID: 36320315 PMCID: PMC9614410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas, an adaptive immune system in bacteria, has been adopted as an efficient and precise tool for site-specific gene editing with potential therapeutic opportunities. It has been explored for a variety of applications, including gene modulation, epigenome editing, diagnosis, mRNA editing, etc. It has found applications in retinal dystrophic conditions including progressive cone and cone-rod dystrophies, congenital stationary night blindness, X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, leber's congenital amaurosis, etc. Most of the therapies for retinal dystrophic conditions work by regressing symptoms instead of reversing the gene mutations. CRISPR/Cas9 through indel could impart beneficial effects in the reversal of gene mutations in dystrophic conditions. Recent research has also consolidated on the approaches of using CRISPR systems for retinal dystrophies but their delivery to the posterior part of the eye is a major concern due to high molecular weight, negative charge, and in vivo stability of CRISPR components. Recently, non-viral vectors have gained interest due to their potential in tissue-specific nucleic acid (miRNA/siRNA/CRISPR) delivery. This review highlights the opportunities of retinal dystrophies management using CRISPR/Cas nanomedicine.
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15
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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]
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16
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Cortical Visual Mapping following Ocular Gene Augmentation Therapy for Achromatopsia. J Neurosci 2021; 41:7363-7371. [PMID: 34349002 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3222-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of the adult human brain to develop function following correction of congenital deafferentation is controversial. Specifically, cases of recovery from congenital visual deficits are rare. CNGA3-achromatopsia is a congenital hereditary disease caused by cone-photoreceptor dysfunction, leading to impaired acuity, photoaversion, and complete color blindness. Essentially, these patients have rod-driven vision only, seeing the world in blurry shades of gray. We use the uniqueness of this rare disease, in which the cone-photoreceptors and afferent fibers are preserved but do not function, as a model to study cortical visual plasticity. We had the opportunity to study two CNGA3-achromatopsia adults (one female) before and after ocular gene augmentation therapy. Alongside behavioral visual tests, we used novel fMRI-based measurements to assess participants' early visual population receptive-field sizes and color regions. Behaviorally, minor improvements were observed, including reduction in photoaversion, marginal improvement in acuity, and a new ability to detect red color. No improvement was observed in color arrangement tests. Cortically, pretreatment, patients' population-receptive field sizes of early visual areas were untypically large, but were decreased following treatment specifically in the treated eye. We suggest that this demonstrates cortical ability to encode new input, even at adulthood. On the other hand, no activation of color-specific cortical regions was demonstrated in these patients either before or up to 1 year post-treatment. The source of this deficiency might be attributed either to insufficient recovery of cone function at the retinal level or to challenges that the adult cortex faces when computing new cone-derived input to achieve color perception.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The possibility that the adult human brain may regain or develop function following correction of congenital deafferentation has fired the imagination of scientists over the years. In the visual domain, cases of recovery from congenital deficits are rare. Gene therapy visual restoration for congenital CNGA3-achromatopsia, a disease caused by cone photoreceptor dysfunction, gave us the opportunity to examine cortical function, to the best of our knowledge for the first time, both before and after restorative treatment. While behaviorally only minor improvements were observed post-treatment, fMRI analysis, including size algorithms of population-receptive fields, revealed cortical changes, specifically receptive field size decrease in the treated eyes. This suggests that, at least to some degree, the adult cortex is able to encode new input.
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17
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Xue Y, Wang SK, Rana P, West ER, Hong CM, Feng H, Wu DM, Cepko CL. AAV-Txnip prolongs cone survival and vision in mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa. eLife 2021; 10:e66240. [PMID: 33847261 PMCID: PMC8081528 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disease affecting >20 million people worldwide. Loss of daylight vision typically occurs due to the dysfunction/loss of cone photoreceptors, the cell type that initiates our color and high-acuity vision. Currently, there is no effective treatment for RP, other than gene therapy for a limited number of specific disease genes. To develop a disease gene-agnostic therapy, we screened 20 genes for their ability to prolong cone photoreceptor survival in vivo. Here, we report an adeno-associated virus vector expressing Txnip, which prolongs the survival of cone photoreceptors and improves visual acuity in RP mouse models. A Txnip allele, C247S, which blocks the association of Txnip with thioredoxin, provides an even greater benefit. Additionally, the rescue effect of Txnip depends on lactate dehydrogenase b (Ldhb) and correlates with the presence of healthier mitochondria, suggesting that Txnip saves RP cones by enhancing their lactate catabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlu Xue
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Sean K Wang
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Howard Hughs Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
| | - Parimal Rana
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Emma R West
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Howard Hughs Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
| | - Christin M Hong
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Howard Hughs Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
| | - Helian Feng
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - David M Wu
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Constance L Cepko
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Howard Hughs Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
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18
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Garita-Hernandez M, Chaffiol A, Guibbal L, Routet F, Khabou H, Riancho L, Toualbi L, Picaud S, Sahel JA, Goureau O, Duebel J, Dalkara D. Control of Microbial Opsin Expression in Stem Cell Derived Cones for Improved Outcomes in Cell Therapy. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:648210. [PMID: 33815066 PMCID: PMC8012682 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.648210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derived organoids have become increasingly used systems allowing 3D-modeling of human organ development, and disease. They are also a reliable source of cells for transplantation in cell therapy and an excellent model to validate gene therapies. To make full use of these systems, a toolkit of genetic modification techniques is necessary to control their activity in line with the downstream application. We have previously described adeno-associated viruse (AAV) vectors for efficient targeting of cells within human retinal organoids. Here, we describe biological restriction and enhanced gene expression in cone cells of such organoids thanks to the use of a 1.7-kb L-opsin promoter. We illustrate the usefulness of implementing such a promoter to enhance the expression of the red-shifted opsin Jaws in fusion with a fluorescent reporter gene, enabling cell sorting to enrich the desired cell population. Increased Jaws expression after transplantation improved light responses promising better therapeutic outcomes in a cell therapy setting. Our results point to the importance of promoter activity in restricting, improving, and controlling the kinetics of transgene expression during the maturation of hiPSC retinal derivatives. Differentiation requires mechanisms to initiate specific transcriptional changes and to reinforce those changes when mature cell states are reached. By employing a cell-type-specific promoter we put transgene expression under the new transcriptional program of mature cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laure Guibbal
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Fiona Routet
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Hanen Khabou
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Luisa Riancho
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Lyes Toualbi
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Serge Picaud
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- CHNO des Quinze−Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | | | - Jens Duebel
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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Ballios BG, Pierce EA, Huckfeldt RM. Gene editing technology: Towards precision medicine in inherited retinal diseases. Semin Ophthalmol 2021; 36:176-184. [PMID: 33621144 DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2021.1887903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: To review preclinical and clinical advances in gene therapy, with a focus on gene editing technologies, and application to inherited retinal disease.Methods: A narrative overview of the literature, summarizing the state-of-the-art in clinical gene therapy for inherited retinal disease, as well as the science and application of new gene editing technology.Results: The last three years has seen the first FDA approval of an in vivo gene replacement therapy for a hereditary blinding eye disease and, recently, the first clinical application of an in vivo gene editing technique. Limitations and challenges in this evolving field are highlighted, as well as new technologies developed to address the multitude of molecular mechanisms of disease.Conclusion: Genetic therapy for the treatment of inherited retinal disease is a rapidly expanding area of ophthalmology. New technologies have revolutionized the field of genome engineering and rekindled an interest in precision medicines for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G Ballios
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric A Pierce
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel M Huckfeldt
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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20
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Sun D, Sun W, Gao SQ, Wei C, Naderi A, Schilb AL, Scheidt J, Lee S, Kern TS, Palczewski K, Lu ZR. Formulation and efficacy of ECO/pRHO-ABCA4-SV40 nanoparticles for nonviral gene therapy of Stargardt disease in a mouse model. J Control Release 2021; 330:329-340. [PMID: 33358976 PMCID: PMC9066847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
It is still a challenge to develop gene replacement therapy for retinal disorders caused by mutations in large genes, such as Stargardt disease (STGD). STGD is caused by mutations in ABCA4 gene. Previously, we have developed an effective non-viral gene therapy using self-assembled nanoparticles of a multifunctional pH-sensitive amino lipid ECO and a therapeutic ABCA4 plasmid containing rhodopsin promoter (pRHO-ABCA4). In this study, we modified the ABCA4 plasmid with simian virus 40 enhancer (SV40, pRHO-ABCA4-SV40) for enhanced gene expression. We also prepared and assessed the formulations of ECO/pDNA nanoparticles using sucrose or sorbitol as a stablilizer to develop consistent and stable formulations. Results demonstrated that ECO formed stable nanoparticles with pRHO-ABCA4-SV40 in the presence of sucrose, but not with sorbitol. The transfection efficiency in vitro increased significantly after introduction of SV40 enhancer for plasmid pCMV-ABCA4-SV40 with a CMV promoter. Sucrose didn't affect the transfection efficiency, while sorbitol resulted in a fluctuation of the in vitro transfection efficiency. Subretinal gene therapy in Abca4-/- mice using ECO/pRHO-ABCA4 and ECO/pRHO-ABCA4-SV40 nanoparticles induced 36% and 29% reduction in A2E accumulation respectively. Therefore, the ECO/pABCA4 based nanoparticles are promising for non-viral gene therapy for Stargardt disease and can be expended for applications in a variety of visual dystrophies with mutated large genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Wenyu Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Song-Qi Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Cheng Wei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Amirreza Naderi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Andrew L Schilb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Josef Scheidt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Sangjoon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Timothy S Kern
- Department of Ophthalmology, Physiology & Biophysics, and Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America; Veterans Administration Medical Center Research Service, Long Beach, CA, 90822, United States of America
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Physiology & Biophysics, and Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
| | - Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America.
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21
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El Moussawi Z, Boueiri M, Al-Haddad C. Gene therapy in color vision deficiency: a review. Int Ophthalmol 2021; 41:1917-1927. [PMID: 33528822 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01717-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Color vision deficiencies are a group of vision disorders, characterized by abnormal color discrimination. They include red-green color blindness, yellow-blue color blindness and achromatopsia, among others. The deficiencies are caused by mutations in the genes coding for various components of retinal cones. Gene therapy is rising as a promising therapeutic modality. The purpose of this review article is to explore the available literature on gene therapy in the different forms of color vision deficiencies. METHODS A thorough literature review was performed on PubMed using the keywords: color vision deficiencies, gene therapy, achromatopsia and the various genes responsible for this condition (OPN1LW, OPN1MW, ATF6, CNGA3, CNGB3, GNAT2, PDE6H, and PDE6C). RESULTS Various adenovirus vectors have been deployed to test the efficacy of gene therapy for achromatopsia in animals and humans. Gene therapy trials in humans and animals targeting mutations in CNGA3 have been performed, demonstrating an improvement in electroretinogram (ERG)-investigated cone cell functionality. Similar outcomes have been reported for experimental studies on other genes (CNGB3, GNAT2, M- and L-opsin). It has also been reported that delivering the genes via intravitreal rather than subretinal injections could be safer. There are currently 3 ongoing human clinical trials for the treatment of achromatopsia due to mutations in CNGB3 and CNGA3. CONCLUSION Experimental studies and clinical trials generally showed improvement in ERG-investigated cone cell functionality and visually elicited behavior. Gene therapy is a promising novel therapeutic modality in color vision deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab El Moussawi
- Ophthalmology Department, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marguerita Boueiri
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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22
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Tummala G, Crain A, Rowlan J, Pepple KL. Characterization of Gene Therapy Associated Uveitis Following Intravitreal Adeno-Associated Virus Injection in Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:41. [PMID: 33630023 PMCID: PMC7910624 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.2.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To characterize the intraocular immune cell infiltrate induced by intravitreal adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy. Methods AAV vectors carrying plasmids expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of PR2.1 were injected intravitreally into AAV naive and AAV primed C57Bl/6 mice. Clinical inflammation was assessed using optical coherence tomography. Intraocular immune cell populations were identified and quantified by flow cytometry on days 1, 7, and 29 after intravitreal injection and compared with sham and fellow eye controls. Results Optical coherence tomography inflammation score and total CD45+ cell number were significantly higher in AAV injected eyes compared to uninjected fellow eye and sham injected controls. Clinically apparent inflammation (vitritis on optical coherence tomography) and cellular inflammation (CD45+ cell number) was significantly increased in AAV injected eyes and peaked around day 7. Vitritis resolved by day 29, but cellular inflammation persisted through day 29. On day 1, neutrophils and activated monocytes were the dominant cell populations in all AAV injected eyes. On day 7, eyes of AAV exposed animals had significantly more dendritic cells and T cells than eyes of AAV naive animals. By day 29, CD8- T cells were the dominant CD45+ cell population in AAV injected eyes. Conclusions Intravitreal AAV injection in mice generates clinically evident inflammation that is mild and seems to resolve spontaneously. However, the total number of intraocular CD45+ cells, particularly T cells, remain elevated. Both innate and adaptive immune cells respond to intravitreal AAV regardless of prior immune status, but the adaptive response is delayed in AAV naive eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Tummala
- University of Washington, Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Adam Crain
- University of Washington, Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Jessica Rowlan
- University of Washington, Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Kathryn L. Pepple
- University of Washington, Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle, Washington, United States
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23
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McClements ME, Staurenghi F, MacLaren RE, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J. Optogenetic Gene Therapy for the Degenerate Retina: Recent Advances. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:570909. [PMID: 33262683 PMCID: PMC7686539 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.570909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The degeneration of light-detecting rod and cone photoreceptors in the human retina leads to severe visual impairment and ultimately legal blindness in millions of people worldwide. Multiple therapeutic options at different stages of degeneration are being explored but the majority of ongoing clinical trials involve adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-based gene supplementation strategies for select forms of inherited retinal disease. Over 300 genes are associated with inherited retinal degenerations and only a small proportion of these will be suitable for gene replacement therapy. However, while the origins of disease may vary, there are considerable similarities in the physiological changes that occur in the retina. When early therapeutic intervention is not possible and patients suffer loss of photoreceptor cells but maintain remaining layers of cells in the neural retina, there is an opportunity for a universal gene therapy approach that can be applied regardless of the genetic origin of disease. Optogenetic therapy offers such a strategy by aiming to restore vision though the provision of light-sensitive molecules to surviving cell types of the retina that enable light perception through the residual neurons. Here we review the recent progress in attempts to restore visual function to the degenerate retina using optogenetic therapy. We focus on multiple pre-clinical models used in optogenetic strategies, discuss their strengths and limitations, and highlight considerations including vector and transgene designs that have advanced the field into two ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E. McClements
- Nuffield Laboratory Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Staurenghi
- Nuffield Laboratory Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E. MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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24
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Woodburn KW, Vijay S, Blumenkranz MS. Sight of Action: the Rationale and Evolution of Gene Therapy Approaches to the Treatment of Retinal Diseases. CURRENT OPHTHALMOLOGY REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40135-020-00255-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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25
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Ku CA, Pennesi ME. The new landscape of retinal gene therapy. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 184:846-859. [PMID: 32888388 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Novel therapeutics for inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) have rapidly evolved since groundbreaking clinical trials for LCA due to RPE65 mutations led to the first FDA-approved in vivo gene therapy. Since then, advancements in viral vectors have led to more efficient AAV transduction and developed other viral vectors for gene augmentation therapy of large gene targets. Furthermore, significant developments in gene editing and RNA modulation technologies have introduced novel capabilities for treatment of autosomal dominant diseases, intronic mutations, and/or large genes otherwise unable to be treated with current viral vectors. We highlight strategies currently being evaluated in gene therapy clinical trials and promising preclinical developments for IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristy A Ku
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Mark E Pennesi
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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26
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Sharma BS, Prabhakaran V, Verma RJ. Design of non-viral vector with improved regulatory features towards therapeutic application. Bioinformation 2020; 16:307-313. [PMID: 32773990 PMCID: PMC7392091 DOI: 10.6026/97320630016307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors based gene therapy is often compromised by adverse immunological reactions raising safety concerns. Hence, improved design and development of non-viral vectors with strong regulatory regions is desired. We describe the design of a non-viral mammalian expression vector in which the primary transgene (a truncated dystrophin gene linked with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)) named microdystrophin delR4-R23/delCT (MD1) is under the transcriptional control of elements of desmin locus control region (DES-LCR). The designed vector, named as DES-LCR/MD1-EGFP, was constructed by cloning two fragments into the pBluescript backbone. Fragment 1 contains DES-LCR enhancer and DES-LCR promoter region while fragment 2 contains MD1 transgene and reporter EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) gene separated by linker P2A (2A peptide). This vector design provides a framework for strong regulation with non-viral features. This design forms the foundation for application in conditions linked to multisystem diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Sharan Sharma
- Indrashil Institute of Science and Technology (IIST)/Indrashil University (IU), Kadi, Mehsana-382740, Gujarat, India.,Department of Zoology, Biomedical Technology and Human Genetics, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Vaishna Prabhakaran
- Indrashil Institute of Science and Technology (IIST)/Indrashil University (IU), Kadi, Mehsana-382740, Gujarat, India
| | - Ramtej J Verma
- Department of Zoology, Biomedical Technology and Human Genetics, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India
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27
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Ross M, Obolensky A, Averbukh E, Ezra-Elia R, Yamin E, Honig H, Dvir H, Rosov A, Hauswirth WW, Gootwine E, Banin E, Ofri R. Evaluation of Photoreceptor Transduction Efficacy of Capsid-Modified Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors Following Intravitreal and Subretinal Delivery in Sheep. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:719-729. [PMID: 32486858 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene augmentation therapy based on subretinal delivery of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors is proving to be highly efficient in treating several inherited retinal degenerations. However, due to potential complications and drawbacks posed by subretinal injections, there is a great impetus to find alternative methods of delivering the desired genetic inserts to the retina. One such method is an intravitreal delivery of the vector. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of two capsid-modified vectors that are less susceptible to cellular degradation, AAV8 (doubleY-F) and AAV2 (quadY-F+T-V), as well as a third, chimeric vector AAV[max], to transduce photoreceptor cells following intravitreal injection in sheep. We further tested whether saturation of inner limiting membrane (ILM) viral binding sites using a nonmodified vector, before the intravitreal injection, would enhance the efficacy of photoreceptor transduction. Only AAV[max] resulted in moderate photoreceptor transduction following intravitreal injection. Intravitreal injection of the two other vectors did not result in photoreceptor transduction nor did the saturation of the ILM before the intravitreal injection. However, two of the vectors efficiently transduced photoreceptor cells following subretinal injection in positive control eyes. Previous trials with the same vectors in both murine and canine models resulted in robust and moderate transduction efficacy, respectively, of photoreceptors following intravitreal delivery, demonstrating the importance of utilizing as many animal models as possible when evaluating new strategies for retinal gene therapy. The successful photoreceptor transduction of AAV[max] injected intravitreally makes it a potential candidate for intravitreal delivery, but further trials are warranted to determine whether the transduction efficacy is sufficient for a clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Ross
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexey Obolensky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Edward Averbukh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Raaya Ezra-Elia
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Esther Yamin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hen Honig
- Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Hay Dvir
- Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Alexander Rosov
- Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - William W Hauswirth
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Elisha Gootwine
- Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Eyal Banin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ron Ofri
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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28
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Song C, Dufour VL, Cideciyan AV, Ye GJ, Swider M, Newmark JA, Timmers AM, Robinson PM, Knop DR, Chulay JD, Jacobson SG, Aguirre GD, Beltran WA, Shearman MS. Dose Range Finding Studies with Two RPGR Transgenes in a Canine Model of X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa Treated with Subretinal Gene Therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:743-755. [PMID: 32414297 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector-mediated gene therapy is being developed to treat X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) in patients with mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene. In preparation for a clinical gene therapy trial, we conducted dose range finding (DRF) studies with an AAV2 capsid with three surface tyrosine residues changed to phenylalanine (AAV2tYF) vector administered by subretinal injection in a naturally occurring RPGR-mutant canine model (XLPRA2) to compare two different human RPGR (hRPGR) transgenes and to establish a reasonable starting dose for a clinical trial. Different dose levels of two candidate vectors (0.15 mL at 1.2 × 1010-3.0 × 1012 vg/mL of rAAV2tYF-GRK1-hRPGRco or 4 × 1010-3.0 × 1012 vg/mL of rAAV2tYF-GRK1-hRPGRstb), 6.0 × 1011 vg/mL rAAV5-GRK1-hRPGRco reference vector or Vehicle were subretinally administered, and the dogs were followed for 8 weeks postdose. Ophthalmic examinations, analyses of retinal structure by in vivo imaging using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO)/optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the Lower (4.0 × 1010 vg/mL) and Lowest (1.2 × 1010 vg/mL) Doses, immunological responses by cell based assays or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, RPGR transgene expression, and reversal of opsin mislocalization by immunohistochemistry were performed. No sustained signs of ocular discomfort or ophthalmic complications were noted in any of the injected eyes except some in the High Dose group (3.0 × 1012 vg/mL), which showed signs of retinal detachment and inflammation. A change in fundus reflectivity suggestive of a rescue effect was seen in the High, Mid (6.0 × 1011 vg/mL), and Low (1.2 × 1011 vg/mL) Dose groups. cSLO/OCT demonstrated qualitative and quantitative evidence of rescue effect in eyes treated with the Lower Dose. Anti-hRPGR antibodies were absent, but neutralizing antibody titers against AAV2 were detected in all animals dosed with rAAV2tYF in an apparent dose-related pattern. RPGR expression was stronger for rAAV2tYF-GRK1-hRPGRco compared to rAAV2tYF-GRK1-hRPGRstb at all dose levels. Subretinal administration of rAAV2tYF-GRK1-hRPGRco and rAAV2tYF-GRK1-hRPGRstb both corrected rod and cone opsin mislocalization, two early markers of disease in the XLPRA2 canine model of RPGR-XLRP. These results support the selection and use of rAAV2tYF-GRK1-hRPGRco (AGTC-501) and guided the initial doses in clinical studies in patients with XLRP caused by RPGR mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjuan Song
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida, USA
| | - Valérie L Dufour
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Artur V Cideciyan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Guo-Jie Ye
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida, USA
| | - Malgorzata Swider
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | - David R Knop
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida, USA
| | | | - Samuel G Jacobson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gustavo D Aguirre
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William A Beltran
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mark S Shearman
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida, USA
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29
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Garita-Hernandez M, Routet F, Guibbal L, Khabou H, Toualbi L, Riancho L, Reichman S, Duebel J, Sahel JA, Goureau O, Dalkara D. AAV-Mediated Gene Delivery to 3D Retinal Organoids Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030994. [PMID: 32028585 PMCID: PMC7036814 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) promise a great number of future applications to investigate retinal development, pathophysiology and cell therapies for retinal degenerative diseases. Specific approaches to genetically modulate hiPSC would be valuable for all of these applications. Vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) have shown the ability for gene delivery to retinal organoids derived from hiPSCs. Thus far, little work has been carried out to investigate mechanisms of AAV-mediated gene delivery and the potential advantages of engineered AAVs to genetically modify retinal organoids. In this study, we compared the early transduction efficiency of several recombinant and engineered AAVs in hiPSC-derived RPE cells and retinal organoids in relation to the availability of their cell-surface receptors and as a function of time. The genetic variant AAV2-7m8 had a superior transduction efficiency when applied at day 44 of differentiation on retinal organoids and provided long-lasting expressions for at least 4 weeks after infection without compromising cell viability. All of the capsids we tested transduced the hiPSC-RPE cells, with the AAV2-7m8 variant being the most efficient. Transduction efficiency was correlated with the presence of primary cell-surface receptors on the hiPS-derived organoids. Our study explores some of the mechanisms of cell attachment of AAVs and reports long-term gene expression resulting from gene delivery in retinal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Garita-Hernandez
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
- Institut de Neurosciences de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Fiona Routet
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Laure Guibbal
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Hanen Khabou
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Lyes Toualbi
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Luisa Riancho
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Sacha Reichman
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Jens Duebel
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jose-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
- CHNO des Quinze−Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, 75012 Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15106, USA
| | - Olivier Goureau
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université,, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France; (M.G.-H.); (F.R.); (L.G.); (H.K.); (L.T.); (L.R.); (S.R.); (J.D.); (J.-A.S.); (O.G.)
- Correspondence:
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30
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Zhang Y, Wang S, Xu M, Pang J, Yuan Z, Zhao C. AAV-mediated human CNGB3 restores cone function in an all-cone mouse model of CNGB3 achromatopsia. J Biomed Res 2020; 34:114-121. [PMID: 32305965 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.33.20190056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Complete congenital achromatopsia is a devastating hereditary visual disorder. Mutations in the CNGB3 gene account for more than 50% of all known cases of achromatopsia. This work investigated the efficiency of subretinal (SR) delivered AAV8 (Y447, 733F) vector containing a human PR2.1 promoter and a human CNGB3 cDNA in Cngb3 -/-/ Nrl -/- mice. The Cngb3 -/-/ Nrl -/- mouse was a cone-dominant model with Cngb3 channel deficiency, which partially mimicked the all-cone foveal structure of human achromatopsia with CNGB3 mutations. Following SR delivery of the vector, AAV-mediated CNGB3 expression restored cone function which was assessed by the restoration of the cone-mediated electroretinogram (ERG) and immunohistochemistry. This therapeutic rescue resulted in long-term improvement of retinal function with the restoration of cone ERG amplitude. This study demonstrated an AAV-mediated gene therapy in a cone-dominant mouse model using a human gene construct and provided the potential to be utilized in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Jijing Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China;Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Zhilan Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
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31
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Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases caused by photoreceptor cell death are major causes of irreversible vision loss. As only primates have a macula, the nonhuman primate (NHP) models have a crucial role not only in revealing biological mechanisms underlying high-acuity vision but also in the development of therapies. Successful translation of basic research findings into clinical trials and, moreover, approval of the first therapies for blinding inherited and age-related retinal dystrophies has been reported in recent years. This article explores the value of the NHP models in understanding human vision and reviews their contribution to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to save and restore vision.
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32
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McCullough KT, Boye SL, Fajardo D, Calabro K, Peterson JJ, Strang CE, Chakraborty D, Gloskowski S, Haskett S, Samuelsson S, Jiang H, Witherspoon CD, Gamlin PD, Maeder ML, Boye SE. Somatic Gene Editing of GUCY2D by AAV-CRISPR/Cas9 Alters Retinal Structure and Function in Mouse and Macaque. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:571-589. [PMID: 30358434 PMCID: PMC6534089 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in GUCY2D, the gene encoding retinal guanylate cyclase-1 (retGC1), are the leading cause of autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy (CORD6). Significant progress toward clinical application of gene replacement therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) due to recessive mutations in GUCY2D (LCA1) has been made, but a different approach is needed to treat CORD6 where gain of function mutations cause dysfunction and dystrophy. The CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system efficiently disrupts genes at desired loci, enabling complete gene knockout or homology directed repair. Here, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-delivered CRISPR/Cas9 was used specifically to edit/disrupt this gene's early coding sequence in mouse and macaque photoreceptors in vivo, thereby knocking out retGC1 expression and demonstrably altering retinal function and structure. Neither preexisting nor induced Cas9-specific T-cell responses resulted in ocular inflammation in macaques, nor did it limit GUCY2D editing. The results show, for the first time, the ability to perform somatic gene editing in primates using AAV-CRISPR/Cas9 and demonstrate the viability this approach for treating inherited retinal diseases in general and CORD6 in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sanford L. Boye
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Diego Fajardo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kaitlyn Calabro
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - James J. Peterson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Christianne E. Strang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Dibyendu Chakraborty
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul D. Gamlin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | - Shannon E. Boye
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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33
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Uyhazi KE, Bennett J. Blinded by the light: a nonhuman primate model of achromatopsia. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:513-515. [PMID: 30667378 PMCID: PMC6355213 DOI: 10.1172/jci126205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Achromatopsia is an inherited retinal degeneration characterized by the loss of cone photoreceptor function. In this issue of the JCI, Moshiri et al. characterize a naturally occurring model of the disease in the rhesus macaque caused by homozygous mutations in the phototransduction enzyme PDE6C. Using retinal imaging, and electrophysiologic and biochemical methods, the authors report a clinical phenotype nearly identical to the human condition. These findings represent the first genetic nonhuman primate model of an inherited retinal disease, and provide an ideal testing ground for the development of novel gene replacement, gene editing, and cell replacement therapies for cone dystrophies.
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34
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Mowat FM. Naturally Occurring Inherited Forms of Retinal Degeneration in Vertebrate Animal Species: A Comparative and Evolutionary Perspective. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1185:239-243. [PMID: 31884618 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-27378-1_39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The ability to noninvasively monitor retinal abnormalities using imaging and cognitive and electrophysiological assessment has made it possible to carefully characterize genetic influences on retinal health. Because genetic retinal traits in animal species are not commonly detrimental to survival beyond birth, it is possible to document the natural history of retinal disease. Human quality of life is greatly impacted by retinal disease, and blindness carries a significant financial burden to society. Because of these compelling reasons, there is an ongoing medical need to study the effect of genetic mutations on retinal health and to develop therapies to address them. Transgenic animal models have aided in these missions, but there are opportunities for novel gene discovery and a development of greater understanding of retinal physiology using animal models that develop naturally occurring heritable retinal disorders. In this chapter, the advantages and disadvantages of transgenic and spontaneous vertebrate animal models of human inherited retinal disease are debated, in particular those of carnivore species, and the potential resource of spontaneous heritable retinal disorders in inbred nondomestic carnivore species is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya M Mowat
- North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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35
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Khabou H, Cordeau C, Pacot L, Fisson S, Dalkara D. Dosage Thresholds and Influence of Transgene Cassette in Adeno-Associated Virus-Related Toxicity. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:1235-1241. [PMID: 30132368 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, there are >500 published studies and 40 clinical trials to treat retinal disorders using gene therapy. The great majority of them rely on the use of adeno-associated virus vectors (AAV) for therapeutic gene delivery. Thus far, AAVs have an excellent safety profile in the clinic. Nevertheless, it is known that AAV-mediated gene delivery leads to toxicity at higher input doses in experimental gene therapy. This study reveals the factors that contribute to retinal toxicity after subretinal administration of AAV vectors in wild-type mice. The study shows that alongside the input dose, the nature of the transgene and the cells mediating the expression determine the extent of toxicity. Importantly, the study shows that AAV vectors encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) used as controls in experimental gene therapy are toxic at doses as low as 5 × 109 vg, confounding the observed therapeutic effect in gene therapy paradigms. Altogether, the data show the importance of reducing input doses while increasing transgene expression levels via the use of more efficient capsids and promoters in order to avoid side effects in AAV-mediated gene therapy. Furthermore, the toxicity observed with AAV-GFP vectors imply a reinterpretation of previous gene therapy studies where the therapeutic effect was measured in relation to this control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanen Khabou
- 1 Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision , Paris, France; and Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
| | - Chloé Cordeau
- 1 Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision , Paris, France; and Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
| | - Laure Pacot
- 1 Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision , Paris, France; and Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
| | - Sylvain Fisson
- 2 Généthon, Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- 1 Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision , Paris, France; and Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
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36
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Fu X, Huu VAN, Duan Y, Kermany DS, Valentim CCS, Zhang R, Zhu J, Zhang CL, Sun X, Zhang K. Clinical applications of retinal gene therapies. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2018; 1:5-20. [PMID: 35694125 PMCID: PMC8982485 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pby004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases are a major cause of blindness. Retinal gene therapy is a
trail-blazer in the human gene therapy field, leading to the first FDA approved gene
therapy product for a human genetic disease. The application of Clustered Regularly
Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated gene editing technology
is transforming the delivery of gene therapy. We review the history, present, and future
prospects of retinal gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Fu
- Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Viet Anh Nguyen Huu
- Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Yaou Duan
- Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Daniel S Kermany
- Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Carolina C S Valentim
- Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Runze Zhang
- Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jie Zhu
- Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Charlotte L Zhang
- Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaodong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kang Zhang
- Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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37
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DiCarlo JE, Mahajan VB, Tsang SH. Gene therapy and genome surgery in the retina. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:2177-2188. [PMID: 29856367 DOI: 10.1172/jci120429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Precision medicine seeks to treat disease with molecular specificity. Advances in genome sequence analysis, gene delivery, and genome surgery have allowed clinician-scientists to treat genetic conditions at the level of their pathology. As a result, progress in treating retinal disease using genetic tools has advanced tremendously over the past several decades. Breakthroughs in gene delivery vectors, both viral and nonviral, have allowed the delivery of genetic payloads in preclinical models of retinal disorders and have paved the way for numerous successful clinical trials. Moreover, the adaptation of CRISPR-Cas systems for genome engineering have enabled the correction of both recessive and dominant pathogenic alleles, expanding the disease-modifying power of gene therapies. Here, we highlight the translational progress of gene therapy and genome editing of several retinal disorders, including RPE65-, CEP290-, and GUY2D-associated Leber congenital amaurosis, as well as choroideremia, achromatopsia, Mer tyrosine kinase- (MERTK-) and RPGR X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, neovascular age-related macular degeneration, X-linked retinoschisis, Stargardt disease, and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E DiCarlo
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard and Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Institute of Human Nutrition, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vinit B Mahajan
- Omics Laboratory, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.,Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Stephen H Tsang
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard and Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Institute of Human Nutrition, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
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38
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Gonzalez-Cordero A, Goh D, Kruczek K, Naeem A, Fernando M, Kleine Holthaus SM, Takaaki M, Blackford SJI, Kloc M, Agundez L, Sampson RD, Borooah S, Ovando-Roche P, Mehat MS, West EL, Smith AJ, Pearson RA, Ali RR. Assessment of AAV Vector Tropisms for Mouse and Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived RPE and Photoreceptor Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:1124-1139. [PMID: 29580100 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral vectors are showing great promise as gene therapy vectors for a wide range of retinal disorders. To date, evaluation of therapeutic approaches has depended almost exclusively on the use of animal models. With recent advances in human stem cell technology, stem cell-derived retina now offers the possibility to assess efficacy in human organoids in vitro. Here we test six adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes [AAV2/2, AAV2/9, AAV2/8, AAV2/8T(Y733F), AAV2/5, and ShH10] to determine their efficiency in transducing mouse and human pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor cells in vitro. All the serotypes tested were capable of transducing RPE and photoreceptor cells in vitro. AAV ShH10 and AAV2/5 are the most efficient vectors at transducing both mouse and human RPE, while AAV2/8 and ShH10 achieved similarly robust transduction of human embryonic stem cell-derived cone photoreceptors. Furthermore, we show that human embryonic stem cell-derived photoreceptors can be used to establish promoter specificity in human cells in vitro. The results of this study will aid capsid selection and vector design for preclinical evaluation of gene therapy approaches, such as gene editing, that require the use of human cells and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anai Gonzalez-Cordero
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Debbie Goh
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Kamil Kruczek
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Arifa Naeem
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Milan Fernando
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Sophia-Martha Kleine Holthaus
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom .,2 MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Matsuki Takaaki
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel J I Blackford
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalena Kloc
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Leticia Agundez
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Robert D Sampson
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Shyamanga Borooah
- 3 Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Ovando-Roche
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Manjit S Mehat
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Emma L West
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander J Smith
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Rachael A Pearson
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
| | - Robin R Ali
- 1 Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo D Aguirre
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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40
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Petit L, Ma S, Cheng SY, Gao G, Punzo C. Rod Outer Segment Development Influences AAV-Mediated Photoreceptor Transduction After Subretinal Injection. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 28:464-481. [PMID: 28510482 PMCID: PMC5488363 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vectors based on the adeno-associated virus (AAV) are currently the preferred tools for delivering genes to photoreceptors (PR) in small and large animals. AAVs have been applied successfully in various models of PR dystrophies. However, unknown barriers still limit AAV's efficient application in several forms of severe PR degenerations due to insufficient transgene expression and/or treated cells at the time of injection. Optimizations of PR gene therapy strategies will likely benefit from the identification of the cellular factors that influence PR transduction. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that the AAV transduction profile of PRs differs significantly between neonatal and adult mouse retinas after subretinal injection. This phenomenon may provide clues to identify host factors that influence the efficiency of AAV-mediated PR transduction. This study demonstrates that rod outer segments are critical modulators of efficient AAV-mediated rod transduction. During retinal development, rod transduction correlated temporally and spatially with the differentiation order of PRs when vectors were introduced subretinally but not when introduced intravitreally. All subretinally injected vectors had an initial preference to transduce cones in the absence of formed rod outer segments and then displayed a preference for rods as the cells matured, independently of the expression cassette or AAV serotype. Consistent with this observation, altered development of rod outer segments was associated with a strong reduction of rod transduction and an increase in the percentage of transduced cones by 2- to 2.8-fold. A similar increase of cone transduction was observed in the adult retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) retina compared to wild-type mice. These results suggest that the loss of rod outer segments in diseased retinas could markedly affect gene transfer efficiency of AAV vectors by limiting the ability of AAVs to infect dying rods efficiently. This information could be exploited for the development of more efficient AAV-based PR gene delivery procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lolita Petit
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Shan Ma
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Shun-Yun Cheng
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Guangping Gao
- 3 Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Claudio Punzo
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts.,2 Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts
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41
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Khabou H, Garita-Hernandez M, Chaffiol A, Reichman S, Jaillard C, Brazhnikova E, Bertin S, Forster V, Desrosiers M, Winckler C, Goureau O, Picaud S, Duebel J, Sahel JA, Dalkara D. Noninvasive gene delivery to foveal cones for vision restoration. JCI Insight 2018; 3:96029. [PMID: 29367457 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.96029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Intraocular injection of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has been an evident route for delivering gene drugs into the retina. However, gaps in our understanding of AAV transduction patterns within the anatomically unique environments of the subretinal and intravitreal space of the primate eye impeded the establishment of noninvasive and efficient gene delivery to foveal cones in the clinic. Here, we establish new vector-promoter combinations to overcome the limitations associated with AAV-mediated cone transduction in the fovea with supporting studies in mouse models, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids, postmortem human retinal explants, and living macaques. We show that an AAV9 variant provides efficient foveal cone transduction when injected into the subretinal space several millimeters away from the fovea, without detaching this delicate region. An engineered AAV2 variant provides gene delivery to foveal cones with a well-tolerated dose administered intravitreally. Both delivery modalities rely on a cone-specific promoter and result in high-level transgene expression compatible with optogenetic vision restoration. The model systems described here provide insight into the behavior of AAV vectors across species to obtain safety and efficacy needed for gene therapy in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanen Khabou
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | | | - Antoine Chaffiol
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Sacha Reichman
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Céline Jaillard
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Elena Brazhnikova
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Bertin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Forster
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Mélissa Desrosiers
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Céline Winckler
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Goureau
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Serge Picaud
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Jens Duebel
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France.,Fondation Ophtalmologique Rothschild, Paris, France.,Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
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42
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Planul
- Inserm, Institut de la Vision, UMR S968, 75012 Paris, France;,
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 6, UMR S968, 75012 Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7210, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Inserm, Institut de la Vision, UMR S968, 75012 Paris, France;,
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 6, UMR S968, 75012 Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7210, 75012 Paris, France
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43
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Gupta PR, Huckfeldt RM. Gene therapy for inherited retinal degenerations: initial successes and future challenges. J Neural Eng 2017; 14:051002. [DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aa7a27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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44
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Gootwine E, Ofri R, Banin E, Obolensky A, Averbukh E, Ezra-Elia R, Ross M, Honig H, Rosov A, Yamin E, Ye GJ, Knop DR, Robinson PM, Chulay JD, Shearman MS. Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGA3 Vector Delivered by Subretinal Injection in CNGA3 Mutant Achromatopsia Sheep. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2017; 28:96-107. [PMID: 28478700 DOI: 10.1089/humc.2017.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) is developing a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector expressing the human CNGA3 gene designated AGTC-402 (rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGA3) for the treatment of achromatopsia, an inherited retinal disorder characterized by markedly reduced visual acuity, extreme light sensitivity, and absence of color discrimination. The results are herein reported of a study evaluating safety and efficacy of AGTC-402 in CNGA3-deficient sheep. Thirteen day-blind sheep divided into three groups of four or five animals each received a subretinal injection of an AAV vector expressing a CNGA3 gene in a volume of 500 μL in the right eye. Two groups (n = 9) received either a lower or higher dose of the AGTC-402 vector, and one efficacy control group (n = 4) received a vector similar in design to one previously shown to rescue cone photoreceptor responses in the day-blind sheep model (rAAV5-PR2.1-hCNGA3). The left eye of each animal received a subretinal injection of 500 μL of vehicle (n = 4) or was untreated (n = 9). Subretinal injections were generally well tolerated and not associated with systemic toxicity. Most animals had mild to moderate conjunctival hyperemia, chemosis, and subconjunctival hemorrhage immediately after surgery that generally resolved by postoperative day 7. Two animals treated with the higher dose of AGTC-402 and three of the efficacy control group animals had microscopic findings of outer retinal atrophy with or without inflammatory cells in the retina and choroid that were procedural and/or test-article related. All vector-treated eyes showed improved cone-mediated electroretinography responses with no change in rod-mediated electroretinography responses. Behavioral maze testing under photopic conditions showed significantly improved navigation times and reduced numbers of obstacle collisions in all vector-treated eyes compared to their contralateral control eyes or pre-dose results in the treated eyes. These results support the use of AGTC-402 in clinical studies in patients with achromatopsia caused by CNGA3 mutations, with careful evaluation for possible inflammatory and/or toxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha Gootwine
- 1 Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center , Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Ron Ofri
- 2 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eyal Banin
- 3 Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexey Obolensky
- 3 Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Edward Averbukh
- 3 Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Raaya Ezra-Elia
- 2 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maya Ross
- 2 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hen Honig
- 1 Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center , Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Alexander Rosov
- 1 Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center , Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Esther Yamin
- 3 Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Guo-Jie Ye
- 4 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, Florida
| | - David R Knop
- 4 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, Florida
| | | | - Jeffrey D Chulay
- 4 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, Florida
| | - Mark S Shearman
- 4 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, Florida
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45
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Ye GJ, Budzynski E, Sonnentag P, Nork TM, Miller PE, Sharma AK, Ver Hoeve JN, Smith LM, Arndt T, Calcedo R, Gaskin C, Robinson PM, Knop DR, Hauswirth WW, Chulay JD. Safety and Biodistribution Evaluation in Cynomolgus Macaques of rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3, a Recombinant AAV Vector for Treatment of Achromatopsia. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2016; 27:37-48. [PMID: 27003753 DOI: 10.1089/humc.2015.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) is developing rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3, a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector expressing the human CNGB3 gene, for treatment of achromatopsia, an inherited retinal disorder characterized by markedly reduced visual acuity, extreme light sensitivity, and absence of color discrimination. We report here results of a study evaluating the safety and biodistribution of rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3 in cynomolgus macaques. Three groups of animals (n = 2 males and 2 females per group) received a subretinal injection in one eye of 300 μl containing either vehicle or rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3 at one of two concentrations (4 × 10(11) or 4 × 10(12) vector genomes/ml) and were evaluated over a 3-month period before being euthanized. Administration of rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3 was associated with a dose-related anterior and posterior segment inflammatory response that was greater than that observed in eyes injected with the vehicle control. Most manifestations of inflammation improved over time except that vitreous cells persisted in vector-treated eyes until the end of the study. One animal in the lower vector dose group was euthanized on study day 5, based on a clinical diagnosis of endophthalmitis. There were no test article-related effects on intraocular pressure, visual evoked potential responses, hematology or clinical chemistry parameters, or gross necropsy observations. Histopathological examination demonstrated minimal mononuclear infiltrates in all vector-injected eyes. Serum anti-AAV antibodies developed in all vector-injected animals. No animals developed antibodies to CNGB3. Biodistribution studies demonstrated high levels of vector DNA in the injected eye but minimal or no vector DNA in any other tissue. These results support the use of rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3 in clinical studies in patients with achromatopsia caused by CNGB3 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-jie Ye
- 1 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, FL
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leia M Smith
- 4 Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings , Seattle, WA
| | | | | | | | | | - David R Knop
- 1 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, FL
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46
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Ye GJ, Budzynski E, Sonnentag P, Nork TM, Miller PE, McPherson L, Ver Hoeve JN, Smith LM, Arndt T, Mandapati S, Robinson PM, Calcedo R, Knop DR, Hauswirth WW, Chulay JD. Safety and Biodistribution Evaluation in CNGB3-Deficient Mice of rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3, a Recombinant AAV Vector for Treatment of Achromatopsia. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2016; 27:27-36. [PMID: 27003752 DOI: 10.1089/humc.2015.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) is developing rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3, a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector expressing the human CNGB3 gene, for treatment of achromatopsia, an inherited retinal disorder characterized by markedly reduced visual acuity, extreme light sensitivity, and absence of color discrimination. We report here results of a study evaluating safety and biodistribution of rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3 in CNGB3-deficient mice. Three groups of animals (n = 35 males and 35 females per group) received a subretinal injection in one eye of 1 μl containing either vehicle or rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3 at one of two dose concentrations (1 × 10(12) or 4.2 × 10(12) vg/ml) and were euthanized 4 or 13 weeks later. There were no test-article-related changes in clinical observations, body weights, food consumption, ocular examinations, clinical pathology parameters, organ weights, or macroscopic observations at necropsy. Cone-mediated electroretinography (ERG) responses were detected after vector administration in the treated eyes in 90% of animals in the higher dose group and 31% of animals in the lower dose group. Rod-mediated ERG responses were reduced in the treated eye for all groups, with the greatest reduction in males given the higher dose of vector, but returned to normal by the end of the study. Microscopic pathology results demonstrated minimal mononuclear cell infiltrates in the retina and vitreous of some animals at the interim euthanasia and in the vitreous of some animals at the terminal euthanasia. Serum anti-AAV antibodies developed in most vector-injected animals. No animals developed antibodies to hCNGB3. Biodistribution studies demonstrated high levels of vector DNA in vector-injected eyes but little or no vector DNA in nonocular tissue. These results support the use of rAAV2tYF-PR1.7-hCNGB3 in clinical studies in patients with achromatopsia caused by CNGB3 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-jie Ye
- 1 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, Florida
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leia M Smith
- 4 Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings , Seattle, Washington
| | - Tara Arndt
- 2 Covance Laboratories Inc. , Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Savitri Mandapati
- 1 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, Florida
| | | | | | - David R Knop
- 1 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, Florida
| | | | - Jeffrey D Chulay
- 1 Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) , Alachua, Florida
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Choudhury S, Strang CE, Alexander JJ, Scalabrino ML, Lynch Hill J, Kasuga DT, Witherspoon CD, Boye SL, Gamlin PD, Boye SE. Novel Methodology for Creating Macaque Retinas with Sortable Photoreceptors and Ganglion Cells. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:551. [PMID: 27990105 PMCID: PMC5131003 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The ability to generate macaque retinas with sortable cell populations would be of great benefit to both basic and translational studies of the primate retina. The purpose of our study was therefore to develop methods to achieve this goal by selectively labeling, in life, photoreceptors (PRs) and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with separate fluorescent markers. Methods: Labeling of macaque (Macaca fascicularis) PRs and RGCs was accomplished by subretinal delivery of AAV5-hGRK1-GFP, and retrograde transport of micro-ruby™ from the lateral geniculate nucleus, respectively. Retinas were anatomically separated into different regions. Dissociation conditions were optimized, and cells from each region underwent fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). Expression of retinal cell type- specific genes was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR to characterize isolated cell populations. Results: We show that macaque PRs and RGCs can be simultaneously labeled in-life and enriched populations isolated by FACS. Recovery from different retinal regions indicated efficient isolation/enrichment for PRs and RGCs, with the macula being particularly amendable to this technique. Conclusions: The methods and materials presented here allow for the identification of novel reagents designed to target RGCs and/or photoreceptors in a species that is phylogenetically and anatomically similar to human. These techniques will enable screening of intravitreally-delivered AAV capsid libraries for variants with increased tropism for PRs and/or RGCs and the evaluation of vector tropism and/or cellular promoter activity of gene therapy vectors in a clinically relevant species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christianne E Strang
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | | | - Julie Lynch Hill
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Daniel T Kasuga
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - C Douglas Witherspoon
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sanford L Boye
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Paul D Gamlin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shannon E Boye
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida Gainesville, FL, USA
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Klapper SD, Swiersy A, Bamberg E, Busskamp V. Biophysical Properties of Optogenetic Tools and Their Application for Vision Restoration Approaches. Front Syst Neurosci 2016; 10:74. [PMID: 27642278 PMCID: PMC5009148 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2016.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics is the use of genetically encoded light-activated proteins to manipulate cells in a minimally invasive way using light. The most prominent example is channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), which allows the activation of electrically excitable cells via light-dependent depolarization. The combination of ChR2 with hyperpolarizing-light-driven ion pumps such as the Cl(-) pump halorhodopsin (NpHR) enables multimodal remote control of neuronal cells in culture, tissue, and living animals. Very soon, it became obvious that this method offers a chance of gene therapy for many diseases affecting vision. Here, we will give a brief introduction to retinal function and retinal diseases; optogenetic vision restoration strategies will be highlighted. We will discuss the functional and structural properties of rhodopsin-based optogenetic tools and analyze the potential for the application of vision restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon D Klapper
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden Dresden, Germany
| | - Anka Swiersy
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden Dresden, Germany
| | - Ernst Bamberg
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden Dresden, Germany
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Abstract
Over the last few years, huge progress has been made with regard to the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases of the eye. Such knowledge has led to the development of gene therapy approaches to treat these devastating disorders. Challenges regarding the efficacy and efficiency of therapeutic gene delivery have driven the development of novel therapeutic approaches, which continue to evolve the field of ocular gene therapy. In this review article, we will discuss the evolution of preclinical and clinical strategies that have improved gene therapy in the eye, showing that treatment of vision loss has a bright future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lolita Petit
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Hemant Khanna
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts.,2 Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Claudio Punzo
- 1 Department of Ophthalmology and Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts.,2 Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School , Worcester, Massachusetts
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Dai X, Zhang H, Han J, He Y, Zhang Y, Qi Y, Pang JJ. Effects of Subretinal Gene Transfer at Different Time Points in a Mouse Model of Retinal Degeneration. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156542. [PMID: 27228218 PMCID: PMC4882044 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) is necessary for photoreceptors to generate an important lipid component of their membranes. The absence of LPCAT1 results in early and rapid rod and cone degeneration. Retinal degeneration 11 (rd11) mice carry a mutation in the Lpcat1 gene, and are an excellent model of early-onset rapid retinal degeneration (RD). To date, no reports have documented gene therapy administration in the rd11 mouse model at different ages. In this study, the AAV8 (Y733F)-smCBA-Lpcat1 vector was subretinally injected at postnatal day (P) 10, 14, 18, or 22. Four months after injection, immunohistochemistry and analysis of retinal morphology showed that treatment at P10 rescued about 82% of the wild-type retinal thickness. However, the diffusion of the vector and the resulting rescue were limited to an area around the injection site that was only 31% of the total retinal area. Injection at P14 resulted in vector diffusion that covered approximately 84% of the retina, and we found that gene therapy was more effective against RD when exposure to light was limited before and after treatment. We observed long-term preservation of electroretinogram (ERG) responses, and preservation of retinal structure, indicating that early treatment followed by limited light exposure can improve gene therapy effectiveness for the eyes of rd11 mice. Importantly, delayed treatment still partially preserved M-cones, but not S-cones, and M-cones in the rd11 retina appeared to have a longer window of opportunity for effective preservation with gene therapy. These results provide important information regarding the effects of subretinal gene therapy in the mouse model of LPCAT1-deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Dai
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (XD); (JP)
| | - Hua Zhang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Juanjuan Han
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Ying He
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Yan Qi
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Ji-jing Pang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (XD); (JP)
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