1
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Seah I, Goh D, Banerjee A, Su X. Modeling inherited retinal diseases using human induced pluripotent stem cell derived photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelial cells. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1328474. [PMID: 39011458 PMCID: PMC11246861 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1328474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, there have been many attempts to create cellular models of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) for investigation of pathogenic processes to facilitate target discovery and validation activities. Consistency remains key in determining the utility of these findings. Despite the importance of consistency, quality control metrics are still not widely used. In this review, a toolkit for harnessing iPSC technology to generate photoreceptor, retinal pigment epithelial cell, and organoid disease models is provided. Considerations while developing iPSC-derived IRD models such as iPSC origin, reprogramming methods, quality control metrics, control strategies, and differentiation protocols are discussed. Various iPSC IRD models are dissected and the scientific hurdles of iPSC-based disease modeling are discussed to provide an overview of current methods and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Seah
- Translational Retinal Research Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Debbie Goh
- Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Animesh Banerjee
- Translational Retinal Research Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xinyi Su
- Translational Retinal Research Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), Singapore, Singapore
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2
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Kurzawa-Akanbi M, Tzoumas N, Corral-Serrano JC, Guarascio R, Steel DH, Cheetham ME, Armstrong L, Lako M. Pluripotent stem cell-derived models of retinal disease: Elucidating pathogenesis, evaluating novel treatments, and estimating toxicity. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101248. [PMID: 38369182 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Blindness poses a growing global challenge, with approximately 26% of cases attributed to degenerative retinal diseases. While gene therapy, optogenetic tools, photosensitive switches, and retinal prostheses offer hope for vision restoration, these high-cost therapies will benefit few patients. Understanding retinal diseases is therefore key to advance effective treatments, requiring in vitro models replicating pathology and allowing quantitative assessments for drug discovery. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) provide a unique solution given their limitless supply and ability to differentiate into light-responsive retinal tissues encompassing all cell types. This review focuses on the history and current state of photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell generation from PSCs. We explore the applications of this technology in disease modelling, experimental therapy testing, biomarker identification, and toxicity studies. We consider challenges in scalability, standardisation, and reproducibility, and stress the importance of incorporating vasculature and immune cells into retinal organoids. We advocate for high-throughput automation in data acquisition and analyses and underscore the value of advanced micro-physiological systems that fully capture the interactions between the neural retina, RPE, and choriocapillaris.
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3
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Gomes CM, Sebastião MJ, Silva G, Moura F, Simão D, Gomes-Alves P, Alves PM, Brito C. Miniaturization of hiPSC-derived 3D neural cultures in stirred-tank bioreactors for parallelized preclinical assessment of rAAV. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1379597. [PMID: 38737536 PMCID: PMC11082387 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1379597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Engineered 3D models employing human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derivatives have the potential to recapitulate the cell diversity and structure found in the human central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, these complex cellular systems offer promising human models to address the safety and potency of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), such as gene therapies. Specifically, recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are currently considered highly attractive for CNS gene therapy due to their broad tropism, low toxicity, and moderate immunogenicity. To accelerate the clinical translation of rAAVs, in-depth preclinical evaluation of efficacy and safety in a human setting is primordial. The integration of hiPSC-derived CNS models in rAAV development will require, amongst other factors, robust, small-scale, high-throughput culture platforms that can feed the preclinical trials. Methods: Herein, we pioneer the miniaturization and parallelization of a 200 mL stirred-tank bioreactor-based 3D brain cell culture derived from hiPSCs. We demonstrate the applicability of the automated miniaturized Ambr® 15 Cell Culture system for the maintenance of hiPSC-derived neurospheroids (iNSpheroids), composed of neuronal and glial cells. Critical process parameters were optimized, namely, cell density and agitation mode. Results: Under optimized conditions, stable iNSpheroid cultures were attained in the microbioreactors for at least 15 days, with high cell viability and astrocytic and neuronal phenotype maintenance. This culture setup allowed the parallelization of different rAAVs, in different multiplicity of infections (MOIs), to address rAAV-host interactions at a preclinical scale. The iNSpheroids were exposed to rAAV2- and rAAV9-eGFP in the microbioreactors. Transgene expression was detected 14 days post-transduction, revealing different astrocyte/neuron tropism of the two serotypes. Discussion: We advocate that the iNSpheroid cultures in miniaturized bioreactors are reliable and reproducible screening tools for addressing rAAV transduction and tropism, compatible with preclinical demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina M. Gomes
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | - Gabriela Silva
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Filipa Moura
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Daniel Simão
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | - Paula M. Alves
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Catarina Brito
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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4
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Spirig SE, Renner M. Toward Retinal Organoids in High-Throughput. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041275. [PMID: 37217280 PMCID: PMC10910359 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Human retinal organoids recapitulate the cellular diversity, arrangement, gene expression, and functional aspects of the human retina. Protocols to generate human retinal organoids from pluripotent stem cells are typically labor intensive, include many manual handling steps, and the organoids need to be maintained for several months until they mature. To generate large numbers of human retinal organoids for therapy development and screening purposes, scaling up retinal organoid production, maintenance, and analysis is of utmost importance. In this review, we discuss strategies to increase the number of high-quality retinal organoids while reducing manual handling steps. We further review different approaches to analyze thousands of retinal organoids with currently available technologies and point to challenges that still await to be overcome both in culture and analysis of retinal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Erich Spirig
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Renner
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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5
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Hu X, Meister R, Tode J, Framme C, Fuchs H. Long-term in vitro monitoring of AAV-transduction efficiencies in real-time with Hoechst 33342. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298173. [PMID: 38427668 PMCID: PMC10906819 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral transduction allows the introduction of nucleic fragments into cells and is widely used to modulate gene expressions in vitro and in vivo. It enables the study of genetic functions and disease mechanisms and, more recently, serves as a tool for gene repair. To achieve optimal transduction performance for a given cell type, selecting an appropriate serotype and the number of virus particles per cell, also known as the multiplicity of infection, is critical. Fluorescent proteins are one of the common reporter genes to visualize successfully transduced cells and assess transduction efficiencies. Traditional methods of measuring fluorescence-positive cells are endpoint analysis by flow cytometry or manual counting with a fluorescence microscope. However, the flow cytometry analysis does not allow further measurement in a test run, and manual counting by microscopy is time-consuming. Here, we present a method that repeatedly evaluates transduction efficiencies by adding the DNA-stain Hoechst 33342 during the transduction process combined with a microscope or live-cell imager and microplate image analysis software. The method achieves fast, high-throughput, reproducible, and real-time post-transduction analysis and allows for optimizing transduction parameters and screening for a proper approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Hu
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Roland Meister
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Tode
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Carsten Framme
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiko Fuchs
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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6
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McDonald A, Wijnholds J. Retinal Ciliopathies and Potential Gene Therapies: A Focus on Human iPSC-Derived Organoid Models. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2887. [PMID: 38474133 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The human photoreceptor function is dependent on a highly specialised cilium. Perturbation of cilial function can often lead to death of the photoreceptor and loss of vision. Retinal ciliopathies are a genetically diverse range of inherited retinal disorders affecting aspects of the photoreceptor cilium. Despite advances in the understanding of retinal ciliopathies utilising animal disease models, they can often lack the ability to accurately mimic the observed patient phenotype, possibly due to structural and functional deviations from the human retina. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be utilised to generate an alternative disease model, the 3D retinal organoid, which contains all major retinal cell types including photoreceptors complete with cilial structures. These retinal organoids facilitate the study of disease mechanisms and potential therapies in a human-derived system. Three-dimensional retinal organoids are still a developing technology, and despite impressive progress, several limitations remain. This review will discuss the state of hiPSC-derived retinal organoid technology for accurately modelling prominent retinal ciliopathies related to genes, including RPGR, CEP290, MYO7A, and USH2A. Additionally, we will discuss the development of novel gene therapy approaches targeting retinal ciliopathies, including the delivery of large genes and gene-editing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew McDonald
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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7
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Sladen PE, Naeem A, Adefila-Ideozu T, Vermeule T, Busson SL, Michaelides M, Naylor S, Forbes A, Lane A, Georgiadis A. AAV-RPGR Gene Therapy Rescues Opsin Mislocalisation in a Human Retinal Organoid Model of RPGR-Associated X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1839. [PMID: 38339118 PMCID: PMC10855600 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Variants within the Retinitis Pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene are the predominant cause of X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (XLRP), a common and severe form of inherited retinal disease. XLRP is characterised by the progressive degeneration and loss of photoreceptors, leading to visual loss and, ultimately, bilateral blindness. Unfortunately, there are no effective approved treatments for RPGR-associated XLRP. We sought to investigate the efficacy of RPGRORF15 gene supplementation using a clinically relevant construct in human RPGR-deficient retinal organoids (ROs). Isogenic RPGR knockout (KO)-induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) were generated using established CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing methods targeting RPGR. RPGR-KO and isogenic wild-type IPSCs were differentiated into ROs and utilised to test the adeno associated virus (AAV) RPGR (AAV-RPGR) clinical vector construct. The transduction of RPGR-KO ROs using AAV-RPGR successfully restored RPGR mRNA and protein expression and localisation to the photoreceptor connecting cilium in rod and cone photoreceptors. Vector-derived RPGR demonstrated equivalent levels of glutamylation to WT ROs. In addition, treatment with AAV-RPGR restored rhodopsin localisation within RPGR-KO ROs, reducing mislocalisation to the photoreceptor outer nuclear layer. These data provide mechanistic insights into RPGRORF15 gene supplementation functional potency in human photoreceptor cells and support the previously reported Phase I/II trial positive results using this vector construct in patients with RPGR-associated XLRP, which is currently being tested in a Phase III clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E. Sladen
- MeiraGTx UK II, 34-38 Provost Street, London N1 7NG, UK (A.L.)
| | - Arifa Naeem
- MeiraGTx UK II, 34-38 Provost Street, London N1 7NG, UK (A.L.)
| | | | - Tijmen Vermeule
- MeiraGTx UK II, 34-38 Provost Street, London N1 7NG, UK (A.L.)
| | | | - Michel Michaelides
- MeiraGTx UK II, 34-38 Provost Street, London N1 7NG, UK (A.L.)
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162 City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9LF, UK
| | - Stuart Naylor
- MeiraGTx UK II, 34-38 Provost Street, London N1 7NG, UK (A.L.)
| | | | - Amelia Lane
- MeiraGTx UK II, 34-38 Provost Street, London N1 7NG, UK (A.L.)
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8
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Westhaus A, Eamegdool SS, Fernando M, Fuller-Carter P, Brunet AA, Miller AL, Rashwan R, Knight M, Daniszewski M, Lidgerwood GE, Pébay A, Hewitt A, Santilli G, Thrasher AJ, Carvalho LS, Gonzalez-Cordero A, Jamieson RV, Lisowski L. AAV capsid bioengineering in primary human retina models. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21946. [PMID: 38081924 PMCID: PMC10713676 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49112-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated retinal gene therapy is an active field of both pre-clinical as well as clinical research. As with other gene therapy clinical targets, novel bioengineered AAV variants developed by directed evolution or rational design to possess unique desirable properties, are entering retinal gene therapy translational programs. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that predictive preclinical models are required to develop and functionally validate these novel AAVs prior to clinical studies. To investigate if, and to what extent, primary retinal explant culture could be used for AAV capsid development, this study performed a large high-throughput screen of 51 existing AAV capsids in primary human retina explants and other models of the human retina. Furthermore, we applied transgene expression-based directed evolution to develop novel capsids for more efficient transduction of primary human retina cells and compared the top variants to the strongest existing benchmarks identified in the screening described above. A direct side-by-side comparison of the newly developed capsids in four different in vitro and ex vivo model systems of the human retina allowed us to identify novel AAV variants capable of high transgene expression in primary human retina cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Westhaus
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Steven S Eamegdool
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Milan Fernando
- Stem Cell and Organoid Facility, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | | | - Alicia A Brunet
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Annie L Miller
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | | | - Maddison Knight
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Maciej Daniszewski
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Grace E Lidgerwood
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alice Pébay
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alex Hewitt
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Giorgia Santilli
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Adrian J Thrasher
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Livia S Carvalho
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Australia
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Anai Gonzalez-Cordero
- Stem Cell and Organoid Facility, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
- Stem Cell Medicine Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Robyn V Jamieson
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia.
- Australian Genome Therapeutics Centre, Children's Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
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9
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Kruczek K, Swaroop A. Patient stem cell-derived in vitro disease models for developing novel therapies of retinal ciliopathies. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 155:127-163. [PMID: 38043950 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.09.003] [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: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Primary cilia are specialized organelles on the surface of almost all cells in vertebrate tissues and are primarily involved in the detection of extracellular stimuli. In retinal photoreceptors, cilia are uniquely modified to form outer segments containing components required for the detection of light in stacks of membrane discs. Not surprisingly, vision impairment is a frequent phenotype associated with ciliopathies, a heterogeneous class of conditions caused by mutations in proteins required for formation, maintenance and/or function of primary cilia. Traditionally, immortalized cell lines and model organisms have been used to provide insights into the biology of ciliopathies. The advent of methods for reprogramming human somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells has enabled the generation of in vitro disease models directly from patients suffering from ciliopathies. Such models help us in investigating pathological mechanisms specific to human physiology and in developing novel therapeutic approaches. In this article, we review current protocols to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells into retinal cell types, and discuss how these cellular and/or organoid models can be utilized to interrogate pathobiology of ciliopathies affecting the retina and for testing prospective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Kruczek
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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10
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Kelley RA, Wu Z. Utilization of the retinal organoid model to evaluate the feasibility of genetic strategies to ameliorate retinal disease(s). Vision Res 2023; 210:108269. [PMID: 37295270 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108269] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Organoid models have quickly become a popular research tool to evaluate novel therapeutics on 3-D recapitulated tissue. This has enabled researchers to use physiologically relevant human tissue in vitro to augment the standard use of immortalized cells and animal models. Organoids can also provide a model when an engineered animal cannot recreate a specific disease phenotype. In particular, the retinal research field has taken advantage of this burgeoning technology to provide insight into inherited retinal disease(s) mechanisms and therapeutic intervention to ameliorate their effects. In this review we will discuss the use of both wild-type and patient-specific retinal organoids to further gene therapy research that could potentially prevent retinal disease(s) progression. Furthermore, we will discuss the pitfalls of current retinal organoid technology and present potential solutions that could overcome these hurdles in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Kelley
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Ct #2400, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA.
| | - Zhijian Wu
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Ct #2400, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
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11
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Tian X, Zheng Q, Xie J, Zhou Q, Liang L, Xu G, Chen H, Ling C, Lu D. Improved gene therapy for MFRP deficiency-mediated retinal degeneration by knocking down endogenous bicistronic Mfrp and Ctrp5 transcript. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:843-856. [PMID: 37273779 PMCID: PMC10238587 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The membrane frizzled-related protein (Mfrp) and C1-tumor necrosis factor related protein 5 (Ctrp5) genes are transcribed as a bicistronic unit and dysregulation of either gene is associated with retinal degeneration in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. However, the mechanisms that regulate the expression of the bicistronic transcript remain controversial. Here, we identified a microRNA-based negative feedback loop that helps maintain a normal expression level of the bicistronic Mfrp and Ctrp5 transcript. Specifically, miR-149-3p, a conserved microRNA, binds to the 3'UTR of the Mfrp gene. In MFRP-deficient rd6 mice, the miR-149-3p levels were compromised compared with those in WT mice, resulting in an increase in the bicistronic transcript. We also report a capsid-modified rAAVDJ-3M vector that is capable of robustly and specifically transducing RPE cells following subretinal delivery. Compared with the parental vector, the modified vector elicited similar levels of serum anti-rAAV antibodies, but recruited fewer microglial infiltrations. Most significantly, we also demonstrate that simultaneous overexpressing of MFRP and knockdown of the bicistronic transcript was more effective in rescuing vision than MFRP overexpression alone. Our findings offer new insights into the function of MFRP and provide a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of MFRP-associated ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qingyun Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jinyan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qinlinglan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Letong Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Guotong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Tongji Hospital and Laboratory of Clinical and Visual Sciences of Tongji Eye Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hongyan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Chen Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Daru Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning, Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 404100, China
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12
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Yan AL, Du SW, Palczewski K. Genome editing, a superior therapy for inherited retinal diseases. Vision Res 2023; 206:108192. [PMID: 36804635 PMCID: PMC10460145 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Gene augmentation and genome editing are promising strategies for the treatment of monogenic inherited retinal diseases. Although gene augmentation treatments are commercially available for inherited retinal diseases, there are many shortcomings that need to be addressed, like progressive retinal degeneration and diminishing efficacy over time. Innovative CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing technologies have broadened the proportion of treatable genetic disorders and can greatly improve or complement treatment outcomes from gene augmentation. Progress in this relatively new field involves the development of therapeutics including gene disruption, ablate-and-replace strategies, and precision gene correction techniques, such as base editing and prime editing. By making direct edits to endogenous DNA, genome editing theoretically guarantees permanent gene correction and long-lasting treatment effects. Improvements to delivery modalities aimed at limiting persistent gene editor activity have displayed an improved safety profile and minimal off-target editing. Continued progress to advance precise gene correction and associated delivery strategies will establish genome editing as the preferred treatment for genetic retinal disorders. This commentary describes the applications, strengths, and drawbacks of conventional gene augmentation approaches, recent advances in precise genome editing in the retina, and promising preclinical strategies to facilitate the use of robust genome editing therapies in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander L Yan
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Amherst College, Amherst, MA 01002, USA
| | - Samuel W Du
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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13
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Perdigão PRL, Ollington B, Sai H, Leung A, Sacristan-Reviriego A, van der Spuy J. Retinal Organoids from an AIPL1 CRISPR/Cas9 Knockout Cell Line Successfully Recapitulate the Molecular Features of LCA4 Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065912. [PMID: 36982987 PMCID: PMC10057647 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein-like 1 (AIPL1) is expressed in photoreceptors where it facilitates the assembly of phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) which hydrolyses cGMP within the phototransduction cascade. Genetic variations in AIPL1 cause type 4 Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA4), which presents as rapid loss of vision in early childhood. Limited in vitro LCA4 models are available, and these rely on patient-derived cells harbouring patient-specific AIPL1 mutations. While valuable, the use and scalability of individual patient-derived LCA4 models may be limited by ethical considerations, access to patient samples and prohibitive costs. To model the functional consequences of patient-independent AIPL1 mutations, CRISPR/Cas9 was implemented to produce an isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell line harbouring a frameshift mutation in the first exon of AIPL1. Retinal organoids were generated using these cells, which retained AIPL1 gene transcription, but AIPL1 protein was undetectable. AIPL1 knockout resulted in a decrease in rod photoreceptor-specific PDE6α and β, and increased cGMP levels, suggesting downstream dysregulation of the phototransduction cascade. The retinal model described here provides a novel platform to assess functional consequences of AIPL1 silencing and measure the rescue of molecular features by potential therapeutic approaches targeting mutation-independent pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro R L Perdigão
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Bethany Ollington
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Hali Sai
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Amy Leung
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
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14
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Kalargyrou AA, Guilfoyle SE, Smith AJ, Ali RR, Pearson RA. Extracellular vesicles in the retina - putative roles in physiology and disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1042469. [PMID: 36710933 PMCID: PMC9877344 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1042469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina encompasses a network of neurons, glia and epithelial and vascular endothelia cells, all coordinating visual function. Traditionally, molecular information exchange in this tissue was thought to be orchestrated by synapses and gap junctions. Recent findings have revealed that many cell types are able to package and share molecular information via extracellular vesicles (EVs) and the technological advancements in visualisation and tracking of these delicate nanostructures has shown that the role of EVs in cell communication is pleiotropic. EVs are released under physiological conditions by many cells but they are also released during various disease stages, potentially reflecting the health status of the cells in their cargo. Little is known about the physiological role of EV release in the retina. However, administration of exogenous EVs in vivo after injury suggest a neurotrophic role, whilst photoreceptor transplantation in early stages of retina degeneration, EVs may facilitate interactions between photoreceptors and Müller glia cells. In this review, we consider some of the proposed roles for EVs in retinal physiology and discuss current evidence regarding their potential impact on ocular therapies via gene or cell replacement strategies and direct intraocular administration in the diseased eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini A. Kalargyrou
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Siobhan E. Guilfoyle
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander J. Smith
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin R. Ali
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Rachael A. Pearson
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Generation of Human iPSC-Derived Retinal Organoids for Assessment of AAV-Mediated Gene Delivery. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2560:287-302. [PMID: 36481905 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2651-1_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human retinal organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) serve as a promising preclinical model for testing the safety and efficacy of viral gene therapy. Retinal organoids recapitulate the stratified multilayered epithelium structure of the developing and maturating human retina. As such, retinal organoids are unique tools to model retinal disease and to test therapeutic interventions toward their amelioration. Here, we describe a method for the generation of human iPSC-derived retinal organoids and how they can be utilized for the assessment of recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV)-mediated gene delivery.
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16
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Kruczek K, Qu Z, Welby E, Shimada H, Hiriyanna S, English MA, Zein WM, Brooks BP, Swaroop A. In vitro modeling and rescue of ciliopathy associated with IQCB1/NPHP5 mutations using patient-derived cells. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2172-2186. [PMID: 36084637 PMCID: PMC9561628 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the IQ calmodulin-binding motif containing B1 (IQCB1)/NPHP5 gene encoding the ciliary protein nephrocystin 5 cause early-onset blinding disease Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), together with kidney dysfunction in Senior-Løken syndrome. For in vitro disease modeling, we obtained dermal fibroblasts from patients with NPHP5-LCA that were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retinal organoids. Patient fibroblasts and RPE demonstrated aberrantly elongated ciliary axonemes. Organoids revealed impaired development of outer segment structures, which are modified primary cilia, and mislocalization of visual pigments to photoreceptor cell soma. All patient-derived cells showed reduced levels of CEP290 protein, a critical cilia transition zone component interacting with NPHP5, providing a plausible mechanism for aberrant ciliary gating and cargo transport. Disease phenotype in NPHP5-LCA retinal organoids could be rescued by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated IQCB1/NPHP5 gene augmentation therapy. Our studies thus establish a human disease model and a path for treatment of NPHP5-LCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Kruczek
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zepeng Qu
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emily Welby
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hiroko Shimada
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Suja Hiriyanna
- Ocular Gene Therapy Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Milton A English
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wadih M Zein
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Brian P Brooks
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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17
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Ramamurthy RM, Atala A, Porada CD, Almeida-Porada G. Organoids and microphysiological systems: Promising models for accelerating AAV gene therapy studies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1011143. [PMID: 36225917 PMCID: PMC9549755 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1011143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The FDA has predicted that at least 10-20 gene therapy products will be approved by 2025. The surge in the development of such therapies can be attributed to the advent of safe and effective gene delivery vectors such as adeno-associated virus (AAV). The enormous potential of AAV has been demonstrated by its use in over 100 clinical trials and the FDA’s approval of two AAV-based gene therapy products. Despite its demonstrated success in some clinical settings, AAV-based gene therapy is still plagued by issues related to host immunity, and recent studies have suggested that AAV vectors may actually integrate into the host cell genome, raising concerns over the potential for genotoxicity. To better understand these issues and develop means to overcome them, preclinical model systems that accurately recapitulate human physiology are needed. The objective of this review is to provide a brief overview of AAV gene therapy and its current hurdles, to discuss how 3D organoids, microphysiological systems, and body-on-a-chip platforms could serve as powerful models that could be adopted in the preclinical stage, and to provide some examples of the successful application of these models to answer critical questions regarding AAV biology and toxicity that could not have been answered using current animal models. Finally, technical considerations while adopting these models to study AAV gene therapy are also discussed.
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18
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Belova L, Lavrov A, Smirnikhina S. Organoid transduction using recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors: Challenges and opportunities. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200055. [PMID: 35832008 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cellular 3D structures, for example, organoids, are an excellent model for studying and developing treatments for various diseases, including hereditary ones. Therefore, they are increasingly being used in biomedical research. From the point of view of safety and efficacy, recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors are currently most in demand for the delivery of various transgenes for gene replacement therapy or other applications. The delivery of transgenes using rAAV vectors to various types of organoids is an urgent task, however, it is associated with a number of problems that are discussed in this review. Cellular heterogeneity and specifics of cultivation of 3D structures determine the complexity of rAAV delivery and are sometimes associated with low transduction efficiency. This review surveys the main ways to solve emerging problems and increase the efficiency of transgene delivery using rAAVs to organoids. A clear understanding of the stage of development of the organoid, its cellular composition and the presence of surface receptors will allow obtaining high levels of organoid transduction with existing rAAV vectors.
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19
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McClements ME, Steward H, Atkin W, Goode EA, Gándara C, Chichagova V, MacLaren RE. Tropism of AAV Vectors in Photoreceptor-Like Cells of Human iPSC-Derived Retinal Organoids. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:3. [PMID: 35377942 PMCID: PMC8994202 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.4.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To expand the use of human retinal organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as an in vitro model of the retina for assessing gene therapy treatments, it is essential to establish efficient transduction. To date, targeted transduction of the photoreceptor-like cells of retinal organoids with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors has had varied degrees of success, which we have looked to improve in this study. Methods Retinal organoids were differentiated from iPSCs of healthy donors and transduced with reporter AAV containing a CAG.GFP, CAG.RFP, GRK1.GFP, or EFS.GFP transgene. Capsid variants assessed were AAV5, AAV2 7m8, AAV2 quad mutant, AAV2 Y444F, and AAV8 Y733F. At 27 days post-transduction, retinal organoids were assessed for reporter expression and viability. Results The short intron-less elongation factor 1 alpha (EFS) promoter provided minimal reporter expression, whereas vectors containing the CAG promoter enabled transduction in 1% to 37% of cells depending on the AAV serotype; the AAV2 quad mutant (average 19.4%) and AAV2 7m8 (16.4%) outperformed AAV5 (12%) and AAV8 Y733F (2.1%). Reporter expression from rhodopsin kinase (GRK1) promoter transgenes occurred in ∼5% of cells regardless of the serotype. Positive co-localization with recoverin-expressing cells was achieved from all GRK1 vectors and the CAG AAV2 quad mutant variant. Treatment with the AAV vectors did not influence retinal organoid viability. Conclusions Reliable transduction of the photoreceptor-like cells of retinal organoids can be readily achieved. When using a CAG-driven transgene, transduction of a broad range of cell types is observed, and GRK1 transgenes provide a more restricted expression profile locating to the outer layer of photoreceptor-like cells of retinal organoids. Translational Relevance This study expands the AAV capsid and transgene options for preclinical testing of gene therapy in iPSC-derived human retinal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E McClements
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Robert E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
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20
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Bucher K, Rodriguez-Bocanegra E, Fischer MD. Benefits and Shortcomings of Laboratory Model Systems in the Development of Genetic Therapies. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2022; 239:263-269. [PMID: 35316853 DOI: 10.1055/a-1757-9879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapeutic approaches promise treatment or even a cure of diseases that were previously untreatable. Retinal gene therapies tested in clinical trials comprise a wide range of different strategies, including gene supplementation therapies, in vivo gene editing, modulation of splicing mechanisms, or the suppression of gene expression. To guarantee efficient transfer of genetic material into the respective target cells while avoiding major adverse effects, the development of genetic therapies requires appropriate in vitro model systems that allow tests of efficacy and safety of the gene therapeutic approach. In this review, we introduce various in vitro models of different levels of complexity used in the development of genetic therapies and discuss their respective benefits and shortcomings using the example of adeno-associated virus-based retinal gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Bucher
- University Eye Hospital, University Hospital Tübingen Clinic of Ophthalmology, Tubingen, Germany.,Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University Hospital Tübingen Clinic of Ophthalmology, Tubingen, Germany
| | | | - M Dominik Fischer
- University Eye Hospital, University Hospital Tübingen Clinic of Ophthalmology, Tubingen, Germany.,Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University Hospital Tübingen Clinic of Ophthalmology, Tubingen, Germany.,Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Oxford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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21
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Developing Non-Human Primate Models of Inherited Retinal Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020344. [PMID: 35205388 PMCID: PMC8872446 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) represent a genetically and clinically heterogenous group of diseases that can eventually lead to blindness. Advances in sequencing technologies have resulted in better molecular characterization and genotype–phenotype correlation of IRDs. This has fueled research into therapeutic development over the recent years. Animal models are required for pre-clinical efficacy assessment. Non-human primates (NHP) are ideal due to the anatomical and genetic similarities shared with humans. However, developing NHP disease to recapitulate the disease phenotype for specific IRDs may be challenging from both technical and cost perspectives. This review discusses the currently available NHP IRD models and the methods used for development, with a particular focus on gene-editing technologies.
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22
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Liu J, Bassal M, Schlichting S, Braren I, Di Spiezio A, Saftig P, Bartsch U. Intravitreal gene therapy restores the autophagy-lysosomal pathway and attenuates retinal degeneration in cathepsin D-deficient mice. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 164:105628. [PMID: 35033660 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of vision due to progressive retinal degeneration is a hallmark of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL), a group of fatal neurodegenerative lysosomal storage diseases. Enzyme substitution therapies represent promising treatment options for NCLs caused by dysfunctions of soluble lysosomal enzymes. Here, we compared the efficacy of a cell-based enzyme substitution strategy and a gene therapy approach to attenuate the retinal pathology in cathepsin D- (CTSD) deficient mice, an animal model of CLN10 disease. Levels of enzymatically active CTSD in mutant retinas were significantly higher after an adeno-associated virus vector-mediated CTSD transfer to retinal glial cells and retinal pigment epithelial cells than after intravitreal transplantations of a CTSD overexpressing clonal neural stem cell line. In line with this finding, the gene therapy treatment restored the disrupted autophagy-lysosomal pathway more effectively than the cell-based approach, as indicated by a complete clearance of storage, significant attenuation of lysosomal hypertrophy, and normalized levels of the autophagy marker sequestosome 1/p62 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II. While the cell-based treatment did not prevent the rapidly progressing loss of various retinal cell types, the gene therapy approach markedly attenuated retinal degeneration as demonstrated by a pronounced rescue of photoreceptor cells and rod bipolar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junling Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mahmoud Bassal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schlichting
- Department of Ophthalmology, Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingke Braren
- Vector Facility, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Paul Saftig
- Institute of Biochemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Udo Bartsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Experimental Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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23
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Yu Y, Li L, Lin S, Hu J. Update of application of olfactory ensheathing cells and stem cells/exosomes in the treatment of retinal disorders. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:11. [PMID: 35012635 PMCID: PMC8751324 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02685-z] [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: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal disorders are the main causes of visual impairment worldwide. In the past, these retinal diseases, especially dry age-related macular degeneration, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa, were treated with traditional surgery and drugs. However, the effect was moderate. In recent years, researchers have used embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, olfactory ensheathing cells and other stem cells to conduct experiments and found that stem cells can inhibit inflammation, regulate immune response, secrete neurotrophic factors, and differentiate into retinal cells to replace and promote restoration of the damaged parts. These stem cells have the potential to treat retinal diseases. Whether it is in animal experiments or clinical trials, the increase in the number of retinal cells, maintenance of function and improvement of visual function all reflect the advanced of stem cells to treat retinal diseases, but its risk preserves the donor's hidden pathogenic genes, immune rejection and tumorigenicity. With the development of exosomes study, researchers have discovered that exosomes come from a wide range of sources and can be secreted by almost all types of cells. Using exosomes with stem cell to treat retinal diseases is more effective than using stem cells alone. This review article summarizes the recent advances in the application of olfactory ensheathing cells and stem cells/exosomes in the treatment of retinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Engineering Research Center of Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment, Fujian Province University, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Licheng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Engineering Research Center of Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment, Fujian Province University, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shu Lin
- Centre of Neurological and Metabolic Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian Province, China. .,Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
| | - Jianmin Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Engineering Research Center of Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment, Fujian Province University, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian Province, China. .,The School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian Province, China.
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24
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Kalargyrou AA, Basche M, Hare A, West EL, Smith AJ, Ali RR, Pearson RA. Nanotube-like processes facilitate material transfer between photoreceptors. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e53732. [PMID: 34494703 PMCID: PMC8567251 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal communication is typically mediated via synapses and gap junctions. New forms of intercellular communication, including nanotubes (NTs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs), have been described for non-neuronal cells, but their role in neuronal communication is not known. Recently, transfer of cytoplasmic material between donor and host neurons ("material transfer") was shown to occur after photoreceptor transplantation. The cellular mechanism(s) underlying this surprising finding are unknown. Here, using transplantation, primary neuronal cultures and the generation of chimeric retinae, we show for the first time that mammalian photoreceptor neurons can form open-end NT-like processes. These processes permit the transfer of cytoplasmic and membrane-bound molecules in culture and after transplantation and can mediate gain-of-function in the acceptor cells. Rarely, organelles were also observed to transfer. Strikingly, use of chimeric retinae revealed that material transfer can occur between photoreceptors in the intact adult retina. Conversely, while photoreceptors are capable of releasing EVs, at least in culture, these are taken up by glia and not by retinal neurons. Our findings provide the first evidence of functional NT-like processes forming between sensory neurons in culture and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini A Kalargyrou
- University College London Institute of OphthalmologyLondonUK
- Centre for Cell and Gene TherapyKing’s College LondonGuy’s HospitalLondonUK
| | - Mark Basche
- University College London Institute of OphthalmologyLondonUK
- Centre for Cell and Gene TherapyKing’s College LondonGuy’s HospitalLondonUK
| | - Aura Hare
- University College London Institute of OphthalmologyLondonUK
- Centre for Cell and Gene TherapyKing’s College LondonGuy’s HospitalLondonUK
| | - Emma L West
- University College London Institute of OphthalmologyLondonUK
- Centre for Cell and Gene TherapyKing’s College LondonGuy’s HospitalLondonUK
| | - Alexander J Smith
- University College London Institute of OphthalmologyLondonUK
- Centre for Cell and Gene TherapyKing’s College LondonGuy’s HospitalLondonUK
| | - Robin R Ali
- University College London Institute of OphthalmologyLondonUK
- Centre for Cell and Gene TherapyKing’s College LondonGuy’s HospitalLondonUK
- Kellogg Eye CenterUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Rachael A Pearson
- University College London Institute of OphthalmologyLondonUK
- Centre for Cell and Gene TherapyKing’s College LondonGuy’s HospitalLondonUK
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25
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Zhang X, Wang W, Jin ZB. Retinal organoids as models for development and diseases. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 10:33. [PMID: 34719743 PMCID: PMC8557999 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-021-00097-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoids (ROs) has brought remarkable opportunities for developmental studies while also presenting new therapeutic avenues for retinal diseases. With a clear understanding of how well these models mimic native retinas, such preclinical models may be crucial tools that are widely used for the more efficient translation of studies into novel treatment strategies for retinal diseases. Genetic modifications or patient-derived ROs can allow these models to simulate the physical microenvironments of the actual disease process. However, we are currently at the beginning of the three-dimensional (3D) RO era, and a general quantitative technology for analyzing ROs derived from numerous differentiation protocols is still missing. Continued efforts to improve the efficiency and stability of differentiation, as well as understanding the disparity between the artificial retina and the native retina and advancing the current treatment strategies, will be essential in ensuring that these scientific advances can benefit patients with retinal disease. Herein, we briefly discuss RO differentiation protocols, the current applications of RO as a disease model and the treatments for retinal diseases by using RO modeling, to have a clear view of the role of current ROs in retinal development and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zi-Bing Jin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China.
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26
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Huang Z, Zhang D, Chen SC, Jennings L, Carvalho LS, Fletcher S, Chen FK, McLenachan S. Gene replacement therapy restores RCBTB1 expression and cilium length in patient-derived retinal pigment epithelium. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:10020-10027. [PMID: 34617687 PMCID: PMC8572767 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biallelic mutations in the RCBTB1 gene cause retinal dystrophy. Here, we characterized the effects of RCBTB1 gene deficiency in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from a patient with RCBTB1‐associated retinopathy and restored RCBTB1 expression in these cells using adeno‐associated viral (AAV) vectors. Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a patient with compound heterozygous RCBTB1 mutations (c.170delG and c.707delA) and healthy control subjects were differentiated into RPE cells. RPE cells were treated with AAV vectors carrying a RCBTB1 transgene. Patient‐derived RPE cells showed reduced expression of RCBTB1. Expression of NFE2L2 showed a non‐significant reduction in patient RPE cells compared with controls, while expression of its target genes (RXRA, IDH1 and SLC25A25) was significantly reduced. Trans‐epithelial electrical resistance, surface microvillus densities and primary cilium lengths were reduced in patient‐derived RPE cells, compared with controls. Treatment of patient RPE with AAV vectors significantly increased RCBTB1, NFE2L2 and RXRA expression and cilium lengths. Our study provides the first report examining the phenotype of RPE cells derived from a patient with RCBTB1‐associated retinopathy. Furthermore, treatment of patient‐derived RPE with AAV‐RCBTB1 vectors corrected deficits in gene expression and RPE ultrastructure, supporting the use of gene replacement therapy for treating this inherited retinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqin Huang
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Dan Zhang
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | | | | | - Livia S Carvalho
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Sue Fletcher
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Fred K Chen
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Samuel McLenachan
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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27
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Afanasyeva TAV, Corral-Serrano JC, Garanto A, Roepman R, Cheetham ME, Collin RWJ. A look into retinal organoids: methods, analytical techniques, and applications. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6505-6532. [PMID: 34420069 PMCID: PMC8558279 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03917-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [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: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) cause progressive loss of light-sensitive photoreceptors in the eye and can lead to blindness. Gene-based therapies for IRDs have shown remarkable progress in the past decade, but the vast majority of forms remain untreatable. In the era of personalised medicine, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) emerge as a valuable system for cell replacement and to model IRD because they retain the specific patient genome and can differentiate into any adult cell type. Three-dimensional (3D) iPSCs-derived retina-like tissue called retinal organoid contains all major retina-specific cell types: amacrine, bipolar, horizontal, retinal ganglion cells, Müller glia, as well as rod and cone photoreceptors. Here, we describe the main applications of retinal organoids and provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-art analysis methods that apply to this model system. Finally, we will discuss the outlook for improvements that would bring the cellular model a step closer to become an established system in research and treatment development of IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess A V Afanasyeva
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald Roepman
- Department of Human Genetics and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael E Cheetham
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.
| | - Rob W J Collin
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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28
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Massengill MT, Lewin AS. Gene Therapy for Rhodopsin-associated Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2021; 61:79-96. [PMID: 34584046 PMCID: PMC8478325 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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29
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Achberger K, Cipriano M, Düchs MJ, Schön C, Michelfelder S, Stierstorfer B, Lamla T, Kauschke SG, Chuchuy J, Roosz J, Mesch L, Cora V, Pars S, Pashkovskaia N, Corti S, Hartmann SM, Kleger A, Kreuz S, Maier U, Liebau S, Loskill P. Human stem cell-based retina on chip as new translational model for validation of AAV retinal gene therapy vectors. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2242-2256. [PMID: 34525384 PMCID: PMC8452599 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapies using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are among the most promising strategies to treat or even cure hereditary and acquired retinal diseases. However, the development of new efficient AAV vectors is slow and costly, largely because of the lack of suitable non-clinical models. By faithfully recreating structure and function of human tissues, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids could become an essential part of the test cascade addressing translational aspects. Organ-on-chip (OoC) technology further provides the capability to recapitulate microphysiological tissue environments as well as a precise control over structural and temporal parameters. By employing our recently developed retina on chip that merges organoid and OoC technology, we analyzed the efficacy, kinetics, and cell tropism of seven first- and second-generation AAV vectors. The presented data demonstrate the potential of iPSC-based OoC models as the next generation of screening platforms for future gene therapeutic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Achberger
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Madalena Cipriano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias J Düchs
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Christian Schön
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | | | - Thorsten Lamla
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Stefan G Kauschke
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Johanna Chuchuy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julia Roosz
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Lena Mesch
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Virginia Cora
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Selin Pars
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Natalia Pashkovskaia
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Serena Corti
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sophia-Marie Hartmann
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Kleger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kreuz
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Udo Maier
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Stefan Liebau
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Loskill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany; 3R-Center for In vitro Models and Alternatives to Animal Testing, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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30
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Völkner M, Pavlou M, Büning H, Michalakis S, Karl MO. Optimized Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors for Efficient Transduction of Human Retinal Organoids. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:694-706. [PMID: 33752467 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The most widely used vectors for gene delivery in the retina are recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors. They have proven to be safe and effective in retinal gene therapy studies aimed to treat inherited retinal dystrophies, although with various limitations in transduction efficiency. Novel variants with modified capsid sequences have been engineered to improve transduction and overcome limitations of naturally occurring variants. Although preclinical evaluation of rAAV vectors based on such novel capsids is mostly done in animal models, the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived organoids offers an accessible and abundant human testing platform for rAAV evaluation. In this study, we tested the novel capsids, AAV9.GL and AAV9.NN, for their tropism and transduction efficiency in hiPSC-derived human retinal organoids (HROs) with all major neuronal and glial cell types in a laminated structure. These variants are based on the AAV9 capsid and were engineered to display specific surface-exposed peptide sequences, previously shown to improve the retinal transduction properties in the context of AAV2. To this end, HROs were transduced with increasing concentrations of rAAV9, rAAV9.GL, or rAAV9.NN carrying a self-complementary genome with a cytomegalovirus-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) cassette and were monitored for eGFP expression. The rAAV vectors transduced HROs in a dose-dependent manner, with rAAV9.NN achieving the highest efficiency and fastest onset kinetics, leading to detectable eGFP signals in photoreceptors, some interneurons, and Müller glia already at 2 days post-transduction. The potency-enhancing effect of the NN peptide insert was replicated when using the corresponding AAV2-based version (rAAV2.NN). Taken together, we report the application of an HRO system for screening novel AAV vectors and introduce novel vector candidates with enhanced transduction efficiency for human retinal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Völkner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Marina Pavlou
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy-Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stylianos Michalakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy-Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mike O Karl
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany.,CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,TU Dresden, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
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31
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Ribeiro J, Procyk CA, West EL, O'Hara-Wright M, Martins MF, Khorasani MM, Hare A, Basche M, Fernando M, Goh D, Jumbo N, Rizzi M, Powell K, Tariq M, Michaelides M, Bainbridge JWB, Smith AJ, Pearson RA, Gonzalez-Cordero A, Ali RR. Restoration of visual function in advanced disease after transplantation of purified human pluripotent stem cell-derived cone photoreceptors. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109022. [PMID: 33882303 PMCID: PMC8065177 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration and other macular diseases result in the loss of light-sensing cone photoreceptors, causing irreversible sight impairment. Photoreceptor replacement may restore vision by transplanting healthy cells, which must form new synaptic connections with the recipient retina. Despite recent advances, convincing evidence of functional connectivity arising from transplanted human cone photoreceptors in advanced retinal degeneration is lacking. Here, we show restoration of visual function after transplantation of purified human pluripotent stem cell-derived cones into a mouse model of advanced degeneration. Transplanted human cones elaborate nascent outer segments and make putative synapses with recipient murine bipolar cells (BCs), which themselves undergo significant remodeling. Electrophysiological and behavioral assessments demonstrate restoration of surprisingly complex light-evoked retinal ganglion cell responses and improved light-evoked behaviors in treated animals. Stringent controls exclude alternative explanations, including material transfer and neuroprotection. These data provide crucial validation for photoreceptor replacement therapy and for the potential to rescue cone-mediated vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Ribeiro
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | - Emma L West
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | - Monica F Martins
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | - Aura Hare
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Mark Basche
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Milan Fernando
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Debbie Goh
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Neeraj Jumbo
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Matteo Rizzi
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Kate Powell
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Menahil Tariq
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | | | - Alexander J Smith
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Rachael A Pearson
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | - Robin R Ali
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Kellogg Eye Centre, University of Michigan, 1000 Wall St., Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
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32
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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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33
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Chowdhury EA, Meno-Tetang G, Chang HY, Wu S, Huang HW, Jamier T, Chandran J, Shah DK. Current progress and limitations of AAV mediated delivery of protein therapeutic genes and the importance of developing quantitative pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) models. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 170:214-237. [PMID: 33486008 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
While protein therapeutics are one of the most successful class of drug molecules, they are expensive and not suited for treating chronic disorders that require long-term dosing. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated in vivo gene therapy represents a viable alternative, which can deliver the genes of protein therapeutics to produce long-term expression of proteins in target tissues. Ongoing clinical trials and recent regulatory approvals demonstrate great interest in these therapeutics, however, there is a lack of understanding regarding their cellular disposition, whole-body disposition, dose-exposure relationship, exposure-response relationship, and how product quality and immunogenicity affects these important properties. In addition, there is a lack of quantitative studies to support the development of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models, which can support the discovery, development, and clinical translation of this delivery system. In this review, we have provided a state-of-the-art overview of current progress and limitations related to AAV mediated delivery of protein therapeutic genes, along with our perspective on the steps that need to be taken to improve clinical translation of this therapeutic modality.
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34
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Huang L, Wan J, Wu Y, Tian Y, Yao Y, Yao S, Ji X, Wang S, Su Z, Xu H. Challenges in adeno-associated virus-based treatment of central nervous system diseases through systemic injection. Life Sci 2021; 270:119142. [PMID: 33524419 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, an excellent gene therapy vector, has been widely used in the treatment of various central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), early attempts at AAV-based CNS diseases treatment were mainly performed through intracranial injections. Subsequently, systemic injections of AAV9, the first AAV that was shown to have BBB-crossing ability in newborn and adult mice, were assessed in clinical trials for multiple CNS diseases. However, the development of systemic AAV injections to treat CNS diseases is still associated with many challenges, such as the efficiency of AAV in crossing the BBB, the peripheral toxicity caused by the expression of AAV-delivered genes, and the immune barrier against AAV in the blood. In this review, we will introduce the biology of the AAV vector and the advantages of systemic AAV injections to treat CNS diseases. Most importantly, we will introduce the challenges associated with systemic injection of therapeutic AAV in treating CNS diseases and suggest feasible solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Huang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Jie Wan
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yinqiu Wu
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yizheng Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shun Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Ji
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Shengjun Wang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Zhaoliang Su
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
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35
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Kruczek K, Qu Z, Gentry J, Fadl BR, Gieser L, Hiriyanna S, Batz Z, Samant M, Samanta A, Chu CJ, Campello L, Brooks BP, Wu Z, Swaroop A. Gene Therapy of Dominant CRX-Leber Congenital Amaurosis using Patient Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Organoids. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:252-263. [PMID: 33513359 PMCID: PMC7878833 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the photoreceptor transcription factor gene cone-rod homeobox (CRX) lead to distinct retinopathy phenotypes, including early-onset vision impairment in dominant Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a patient with CRX-I138fs48 mutation, we established an in vitro model of CRX-LCA in retinal organoids that showed defective photoreceptor maturation by histology and gene profiling, with diminished expression of visual opsins. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated CRX gene augmentation therapy partially restored photoreceptor phenotype and expression of phototransduction-related genes as determined by single-cell RNA-sequencing. Retinal organoids derived from iPSCs of a second dominant CRX-LCA patient carrying K88N mutation revealed the loss of opsin expression as a common phenotype, which was alleviated by AAV-mediated augmentation of CRX. Our studies provide a proof-of-concept for developing gene therapy of dominant CRX-LCA and other CRX retinopathies. Leber congenital amaurosis caused by CRX mutations is modeled in retinal organoids Patient iPSCs-derived organoids show impaired expression of visual opsins AAV-mediated CRX delivery partially restores expression of phototransduction genes Gene therapy is applicable to mutations in DNA-binding and transactivation domains
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Kruczek
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zepeng Qu
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - James Gentry
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Benjamin R Fadl
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Linn Gieser
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Suja Hiriyanna
- Ocular Gene Therapy Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zachary Batz
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mugdha Samant
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ananya Samanta
- Ocular Gene Therapy Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Colin J Chu
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Laura Campello
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Brian P Brooks
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhijian Wu
- Ocular Gene Therapy Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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36
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Nikolakopoulou P, Rauti R, Voulgaris D, Shlomy I, Maoz BM, Herland A. Recent progress in translational engineered in vitro models of the central nervous system. Brain 2020; 143:3181-3213. [PMID: 33020798 PMCID: PMC7719033 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the human brain poses a substantial challenge for the development of models of the CNS. Current animal models lack many essential human characteristics (in addition to raising operational challenges and ethical concerns), and conventional in vitro models, in turn, are limited in their capacity to provide information regarding many functional and systemic responses. Indeed, these challenges may underlie the notoriously low success rates of CNS drug development efforts. During the past 5 years, there has been a leap in the complexity and functionality of in vitro systems of the CNS, which have the potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional model systems. The availability of human-derived induced pluripotent stem cell technology has further increased the translational potential of these systems. Yet, the adoption of state-of-the-art in vitro platforms within the CNS research community is limited. This may be attributable to the high costs or the immaturity of the systems. Nevertheless, the costs of fabrication have decreased, and there are tremendous ongoing efforts to improve the quality of cell differentiation. Herein, we aim to raise awareness of the capabilities and accessibility of advanced in vitro CNS technologies. We provide an overview of some of the main recent developments (since 2015) in in vitro CNS models. In particular, we focus on engineered in vitro models based on cell culture systems combined with microfluidic platforms (e.g. 'organ-on-a-chip' systems). We delve into the fundamental principles underlying these systems and review several applications of these platforms for the study of the CNS in health and disease. Our discussion further addresses the challenges that hinder the implementation of advanced in vitro platforms in personalized medicine or in large-scale industrial settings, and outlines the existing differentiation protocols and industrial cell sources. We conclude by providing practical guidelines for laboratories that are considering adopting organ-on-a-chip technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni Nikolakopoulou
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rossana Rauti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dimitrios Voulgaris
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Iftach Shlomy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ben M Maoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Herland
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Manafi N, Shokri F, Achberger K, Hirayama M, Mohammadi MH, Noorizadeh F, Hong J, Liebau S, Tsuji T, Quinn PMJ, Mashaghi A. Organoids and organ chips in ophthalmology. Ocul Surf 2020; 19:1-15. [PMID: 33220469 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2020.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances have driven the development of stem cell-derived, self-organizing, three-dimensional miniature organs, termed organoids, which mimic different eye tissues including the retina, cornea, and lens. Organoids and engineered microfluidic organ-on-chips (organ chips) are transformative technologies that show promise in simulating the architectural and functional complexity of native organs. Accordingly, they enable exploration of facets of human disease and development not accurately recapitulated by animal models. Together, these technologies will increase our understanding of the basic physiology of different eye structures, enable us to interrogate unknown aspects of ophthalmic disease pathogenesis, and serve as clinically-relevant surrogates for the evaluation of ocular therapeutics. Both the burden and prevalence of monogenic and multifactorial ophthalmic diseases, which can cause visual impairment or blindness, in the human population warrants a paradigm shift towards organoids and organ chips that can provide sensitive, quantitative, and scalable phenotypic assays. In this article, we review the current situation of organoids and organ chips in ophthalmology and discuss how they can be leveraged for translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Manafi
- Medical Systems Biophysics and Bioengineering, The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands; Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Fereshteh Shokri
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kevin Achberger
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Österbergstrasse 3, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Masatoshi Hirayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba, 272-8513, Japan; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Melika Haji Mohammadi
- Medical Systems Biophysics and Bioengineering, The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jiaxu Hong
- Medical Systems Biophysics and Bioengineering, The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye, and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Road, Shanghai, China; Key NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia (Fudan University), Laboratory of Myopia, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, China
| | - Stefan Liebau
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Österbergstrasse 3, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Takashi Tsuji
- Laboratory for Organ Regeneration, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan; Organ Technologies Inc., Minato, Tokyo, 105-0001, Japan
| | - Peter M J Quinn
- Jonas Children's Vision Care and Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology & Cell Biology, Institute of Human Nutrition, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. New York, NY, USA; Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center - New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Alireza Mashaghi
- Medical Systems Biophysics and Bioengineering, The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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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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Schnichels S, Paquet-Durand F, Löscher M, Tsai T, Hurst J, Joachim SC, Klettner A. Retina in a dish: Cell cultures, retinal explants and animal models for common diseases of the retina. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 81:100880. [PMID: 32721458 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
For many retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy (DR), the exact pathogenesis is still unclear. Moreover, the currently available therapeutic options are often unsatisfactory. Research designed to remedy this situation heavily relies on experimental animals. However, animal models often do not faithfully reproduce human disease and, currently, there is strong pressure from society to reduce animal research. Overall, this creates a need for improved disease models to understand pathologies and develop treatment options that, at the same time, require fewer or no experimental animals. Here, we review recent advances in the field of in vitro and ex vivo models for AMD, glaucoma, and DR. We highlight the difficulties associated with studies on complex diseases, in which both the initial trigger and the ensuing pathomechanisms are unclear, and then delineate which model systems are optimal for disease modelling. To this end, we present a variety of model systems, ranging from primary cell cultures, over organotypic cultures and whole eye cultures, to animal models. Specific advantages and disadvantages of such models are discussed, with a special focus on their relevance to putative in vivo disease mechanisms. In many cases, a replacement of in vivo research will mean that several different in vitro models are used in conjunction, for instance to analyze and validate causative molecular pathways. Finally, we argue that the analytical decomposition into appropriate cell and tissue model systems will allow making significant progress in our understanding of complex retinal diseases and may furthermore advance the treatment testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Schnichels
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marina Löscher
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Teresa Tsai
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - José Hurst
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Alexa Klettner
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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40
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Lane A, Jovanovic K, Shortall C, Ottaviani D, Panes AB, Schwarz N, Guarascio R, Hayes MJ, Palfi A, Chadderton N, Farrar GJ, Hardcastle AJ, Cheetham ME. Modeling and Rescue of RP2 Retinitis Pigmentosa Using iPSC-Derived Retinal Organoids. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:67-79. [PMID: 32531192 PMCID: PMC7363745 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RP2 mutations cause a severe form of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). The mechanism of RP2-associated retinal degeneration in humans is unclear, and animal models of RP2 XLRP do not recapitulate this severe phenotype. Here, we developed gene-edited isogenic RP2 knockout (RP2 KO) induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and RP2 patient-derived iPSC to produce 3D retinal organoids as a human retinal disease model. Strikingly, the RP2 KO and RP2 patient-derived organoids showed a peak in rod photoreceptor cell death at day 150 (D150) with subsequent thinning of the organoid outer nuclear layer (ONL) by D180 of culture. Adeno-associated virus-mediated gene augmentation with human RP2 rescued the degeneration phenotype of the RP2 KO organoids, to prevent ONL thinning and restore rhodopsin expression. Notably, these data show that 3D retinal organoids can be used to model photoreceptor degeneration and test potential therapies to prevent photoreceptor cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ciara Shortall
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Arpad Palfi
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Naomi Chadderton
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - G Jane Farrar
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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41
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Buck TM, Wijnholds J. Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors (rAAV)-Vector Elements in Ocular Gene Therapy Clinical Trials and Transgene Expression and Bioactivity Assays. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4197. [PMID: 32545533 PMCID: PMC7352801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies and optic neuropathies cause chronic disabling loss of visual function. The development of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) gene therapies in all disease fields have been promising, but the translation to the clinic has been slow. The safety and efficacy profiles of rAAV are linked to the dose of applied vectors. DNA changes in the rAAV gene cassette affect potency, the expression pattern (cell-specificity), and the production yield. Here, we present a library of rAAV vectors and elements that provide a workflow to design novel vectors. We first performed a meta-analysis on recombinant rAAV elements in clinical trials (2007-2020) for ocular gene therapies. We analyzed 33 unique rAAV gene cassettes used in 57 ocular clinical trials. The rAAV gene therapy vectors used six unique capsid variants, 16 different promoters, and six unique polyadenylation sequences. Further, we compiled a list of promoters, enhancers, and other sequences used in current rAAV gene cassettes in preclinical studies. Then, we give an update on pro-viral plasmid backbones used to produce the gene therapy vectors, inverted terminal repeats, production yield, and rAAV safety considerations. Finally, we assess rAAV transgene and bioactivity assays applied to cells or organoids in vitro, explants ex vivo, and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thilo M. Buck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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42
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Kruczek K, Swaroop A. Pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoids for disease modeling and development of therapies. Stem Cells 2020; 38:1206-1215. [PMID: 32506758 PMCID: PMC7586922 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Retinal diseases constitute a genetically and phenotypically diverse group of clinical conditions leading to vision impairment or blindness with limited treatment options. Advances in reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells and generation of three‐dimensional organoids resembling the native retina offer promising tools to interrogate disease mechanisms and evaluate potential therapies for currently incurable retinal neurodegeneration. Next‐generation sequencing, single‐cell analysis, advanced electrophysiology, and high‐throughput screening approaches are expected to greatly expand the utility of stem cell‐derived retinal cells and organoids for developing personalized treatments. In this review, we discuss the current status and future potential of combining retinal organoids as human models with recent technologies to advance the development of gene, cell, and drug therapies for retinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Kruczek
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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43
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Cerebral Organoids: A Human Model for AAV Capsid Selection and Therapeutic Transgene Efficacy in the Brain. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 18:167-175. [PMID: 32637448 PMCID: PMC7327852 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The development of gene therapies for central nervous system disorders is challenging because it is difficult to translate preclinical data from current in vitro and in vivo models to the clinic. Therefore, we developed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cerebral organoids as a model for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) capsid selection and for testing efficacy of AAV-based gene therapy in a human context. Cerebral organoids are physiological 3D structures that better recapitulate the human brain compared with 2D cell lines. To validate the model, we compared the transduction efficiency and distribution of two commonly used AAV serotypes (rAAV5 and rAAV9). In cerebral organoids, transduction with rAAV5 led to higher levels of vector DNA, transgenic mRNA, and protein expression as compared with rAAV9. The superior transduction of rAAV5 was replicated in iPSC-derived neuronal cells. Furthermore, rAAV5-mediated delivery of a human sequence-specific engineered microRNA to cerebral organoids led to a lower expression of its target ataxin-3. Our studies provide a new tool for selecting and deselecting AAV serotypes, and for demonstrating therapeutic efficacy of transgenes in a human context. Implementing cerebral organoids during gene therapy development could reduce the usage of animal models and improve translation to the clinic.
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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: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [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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45
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Wu J, Bell OH, Copland DA, Young A, Pooley JR, Maswood R, Evans RS, Khaw PT, Ali RR, Dick AD, Chu CJ. Gene Therapy for Glaucoma by Ciliary Body Aquaporin 1 Disruption Using CRISPR-Cas9. Mol Ther 2020; 28:820-829. [PMID: 31981492 PMCID: PMC7054720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a common cause of blindness, yet current therapeutic options are imperfect. Clinical trials have invariably shown that reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) regardless of disease subtype prevents visual loss. Reducing ciliary body aqueous humor production can lower IOP, and the adeno-associated virus ShH10 serotype was identified as able to transduce mouse ciliary body epithelium following intravitreal injection. Using ShH10 to deliver a single vector CRISPR-Cas9 system disrupting Aquaporin 1 resulted in reduced IOP in treated eyes (10.4 ± 2.4 mmHg) compared with control (13.2 ± 2.0 mmHg) or non-injected eyes (13.1 ± 2.8 mmHg; p < 0.001; n = 12). Editing in the aquaporin 1 gene could be detected in ciliary body, and no off-target increases in corneal or retinal thickness were identified. In experimental mouse models of corticosteroid and microbead-induced ocular hypertension, IOP could be reduced to prevent ganglion cell loss (32 ± 4 /mm2) compared with untreated eyes (25 ± 5/mm2; p < 0.01). ShH10 could transduce human ciliary body from post-mortem donor eyes in ex vivo culture with indel formation detectable in the Aquaporin 1 locus. Clinical translation of this approach to patients with glaucoma may permit long-term reduction of IOP following a single injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Wu
- Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Oliver H Bell
- Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - David A Copland
- Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Alison Young
- Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - John R Pooley
- Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Ryea Maswood
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Rachel S Evans
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Peng Tee Khaw
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Robin R Ali
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Andrew D Dick
- Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Colin J Chu
- Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
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Benati D, Patrizi C, Recchia A. Gene editing prospects for treating inherited retinal diseases. J Med Genet 2019; 57:437-444. [PMID: 31857428 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Retinal diseases (RD) include inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD), for example, retinitis pigmentosa and Leber's congenital amaurosis, or multifactorial forms, for example, age-related macular degeneration (AMD). IRDs are clinically and genetically heterogeneous in nature. To date, more than 200 genes are known to cause IRDs, which perturb the development, function and survival of rod and cone photoreceptors or retinal pigment epithelial cells. Conversely, AMD, the most common cause of blindness in the developed world, is an acquired disease of the macula characterised by progressive visual impairment. To date, available therapeutic approaches for RD include nutritional supplements, neurotrophic factors, antiangiogenic drugs for wet AMD and gene augmentation/interference strategy for IRDs. However, these therapies do not aim at correcting the genetic defect and result in inefficient and expensive treatments. The genome editing technology based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) and an RNA that guides the Cas protein to a predetermined region of the genome, represents an attractive strategy to tackle IRDs without available cure. Indeed, CRISPR/Cas system can permanently and precisely replace or remove genetic mutations causative of a disease, representing a molecular tool to cure a genetic disorder. In this review, we will introduce the mechanism of CRISPR/Cas system, presenting an updated panel of Cas variants and delivery systems, then we will focus on applications of CRISPR/Cas genome editing in the retina, and, as emerging treatment options, in patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells followed by transplantation of retinal progenitor cells into the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Benati
- Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Clarissa Patrizi
- Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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47
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Neonatal brain-directed gene therapy rescues a mouse model of neurodegenerative CLN6 Batten disease. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:3867-3879. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), more commonly referred to as Batten disease, are a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders that present with neurodegeneration, loss of vision and premature death. There are at least 13 genetically distinct forms of NCL. Enzyme replacement therapies and pre-clinical studies on gene supplementation have shown promising results for NCLs caused by lysosomal enzyme deficiencies. The development of gene therapies targeting the brain for NCLs caused by defects in transmembrane proteins has been more challenging and only limited therapeutic effects in animal models have been achieved so far. Here, we describe the development of an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy to treat the neurodegeneration in a mouse model of CLN6 disease, a form of NCL with a deficiency in the membrane-bound protein CLN6. We show that neonatal bilateral intracerebroventricular injections with AAV9 carrying CLN6 increase lifespan by more than 90%, maintain motor skills and motor coordination and reduce neuropathological hallmarks of Cln6-deficient mice up to 23 months post vector administration. These data demonstrate that brain-directed gene therapy is a valid strategy to treat the neurodegeneration of CLN6 disease and may be applied to other forms of NCL caused by transmembrane protein deficiencies in the future.
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48
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Mantz A, Pannier AK. Biomaterial substrate modifications that influence cell-material interactions to prime cellular responses to nonviral gene delivery. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:100-113. [PMID: 30621454 PMCID: PMC6405826 DOI: 10.1177/1535370218821060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT This review summarizes how biomaterial substrate modifications (e.g. chemical modifications like natural coatings, ligands, or functional side groups, and/or physical modifications such as topography or stiffness) can prime the cellular response to nonviral gene delivery (e.g. affecting integrin binding and focal adhesion formation, cytoskeletal remodeling, endocytic mechanisms, and intracellular trafficking), to aid in improving gene delivery for applications where a cell-material interface might exist (e.g. tissue engineering scaffolds, medical implants and devices, sensors and diagnostics, wound dressings).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Mantz
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering,
University
of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583,
USA
| | - Angela K Pannier
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering,
University
of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583,
USA
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49
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Abstract
Inherited retinal degeneration (IRD), a group of rare retinal diseases that primarily lead to the progressive loss of retinal photoreceptor cells, can be inherited in all modes of inheritance: autosomal dominant (AD), autosomal recessive (AR), X-linked (XL), and mitochondrial. Based on the pattern of inheritance of the dystrophy, retinal gene therapy has 2 main strategies. AR, XL, and AD IRDs with haploinsufficiency can be treated by inserting a functional copy of the gene using either viral or nonviral vectors (gene augmentation). Different types of viral vectors and nonviral vectors are used to transfer plasmid DNA both in vitro and in vivo. AD IRDs with gain-of-function mutations or dominant-negative mutations can be treated by disrupting the mutant allele with (and occasionally without) gene augmentation. This review article aims to provide an overview of ocular gene therapy for treating IRDs using gene augmentation with viral or nonviral vectors or gene disruption through different gene-editing tools, especially with the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirmohsen Arbabi
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Amelia Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Hossein Ameri
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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50
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Capowski EE, Samimi K, Mayerl SJ, Phillips MJ, Pinilla I, Howden SE, Saha J, Jansen AD, Edwards KL, Jager LD, Barlow K, Valiauga R, Erlichman Z, Hagstrom A, Sinha D, Sluch VM, Chamling X, Zack DJ, Skala MC, Gamm DM. Reproducibility and staging of 3D human retinal organoids across multiple pluripotent stem cell lines. Development 2019; 146:dev171686. [PMID: 30567931 PMCID: PMC6340149 DOI: 10.1242/dev.171686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Numerous protocols have been described for producing neural retina from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), many of which are based on the culture of 3D organoids. Although nearly all such methods yield at least partial segments of retinal structure with a mature appearance, variabilities exist within and between organoids that can change over a protracted time course of differentiation. Adding to this complexity are potential differences in the composition and configuration of retinal organoids when viewed across multiple differentiations and hPSC lines. In an effort to understand better the current capabilities and limitations of these cultures, we generated retinal organoids from 16 hPSC lines and monitored their appearance and structural organization over time by light microscopy, immunocytochemistry, metabolic imaging and electron microscopy. We also employed optical coherence tomography and 3D imaging techniques to assess and compare whole or broad regions of organoids to avoid selection bias. Results from this study led to the development of a practical staging system to reduce inconsistencies in retinal organoid cultures and increase rigor when utilizing them in developmental studies, disease modeling and transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kayvan Samimi
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Steven J Mayerl
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - M Joseph Phillips
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Isabel Pinilla
- Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Lozano Blesa University Hospital, Zaragoza 50009, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lozano Blesa University Hospital, Zaragoza 50009, Spain
| | - Sara E Howden
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jishnu Saha
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Alex D Jansen
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | | | - Lindsey D Jager
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Katherine Barlow
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Rasa Valiauga
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Zachary Erlichman
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Anna Hagstrom
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Divya Sinha
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Valentin M Sluch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Xitiz Chamling
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Donald J Zack
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Melissa C Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - David M Gamm
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Ophthamology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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