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Kulbay M, Tuli N, Akdag A, Kahn Ali S, Qian CX. Optogenetics and Targeted Gene Therapy for Retinal Diseases: Unravelling the Fundamentals, Applications, and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4224. [PMID: 39064263 PMCID: PMC11277578 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
With a common aim of restoring physiological function of defective cells, optogenetics and targeted gene therapies have shown great clinical potential and novelty in the branch of personalized medicine and inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). The basis of optogenetics aims to bypass defective photoreceptors by introducing opsins with light-sensing capabilities. In contrast, targeted gene therapies, such as methods based on CRISPR-Cas9 and RNA interference with noncoding RNAs (i.e., microRNA, small interfering RNA, short hairpin RNA), consists of inducing normal gene or protein expression into affected cells. Having partially leveraged the challenges limiting their prompt introduction into the clinical practice (i.e., engineering, cell or tissue delivery capabilities), it is crucial to deepen the fields of knowledge applied to optogenetics and targeted gene therapy. The aim of this in-depth and novel literature review is to explain the fundamentals and applications of optogenetics and targeted gene therapies, while providing decision-making arguments for ophthalmologists. First, we review the biomolecular principles and engineering steps involved in optogenetics and the targeted gene therapies mentioned above by bringing a focus on the specific vectors and molecules for cell signalization. The importance of vector choice and engineering methods are discussed. Second, we summarize the ongoing clinical trials and most recent discoveries for optogenetics and targeted gene therapies for IRDs. Finally, we then discuss the limits and current challenges of each novel therapy. We aim to provide for the first time scientific-based explanations for clinicians to justify the specificity of each therapy for one disease, which can help improve clinical decision-making tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Kulbay
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3S5, Canada;
| | - Nicolas Tuli
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada (A.A.)
| | - Arjin Akdag
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada (A.A.)
| | - Shigufa Kahn Ali
- Centre de Recherche de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H1T 2M4, Canada;
| | - Cynthia X. Qian
- Centre de Recherche de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H1T 2M4, Canada;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie (CUO), Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H1T 2M4, Canada
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Keenan TDL, Agrón E, Keane PA, Domalpally A, Chew EY. Oral Antioxidant and Lutein/Zeaxanthin Supplements Slow Geographic Atrophy Progression to the Fovea in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmology 2024:S0161-6420(24)00425-1. [PMID: 39025435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2024.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether oral micronutrient supplementation slows geographic atrophy (GA) progression in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN Post hoc analysis of Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2, multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trials of oral micronutrient supplementation, each with 2 × 2 factorial design. PARTICIPANTS A total of 392 eyes (318 participants) with GA in AREDS and 1210 eyes (891 participants) with GA in AREDS2. METHODS The AREDS participants were randomly assigned to oral antioxidants (500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 15 mg β-carotene), 80 mg zinc, combination, or placebo. The AREDS2 participants were randomly assigned to 10 mg lutein/2 mg zeaxanthin, 350 mg docosahexaenoic acid/650 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, combination, or placebo. Consenting AREDS2 participants were also randomly assigned to alternative AREDS formulations: original; no beta-carotene; 25 mg zinc instead of 80 mg; both. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES (1) Change in GA proximity to central macula over time and (2) change in square root GA area over time, each measured from color fundus photographs at annual visits and analyzed by mixed-model regression according to randomized assignments. RESULTS In AREDS eyes with noncentral GA (n = 208), proximity-based progression toward the central macula was significantly slower with randomization to antioxidants versus none, at 50.7 μm/year (95% confidence interval [CI], 38.0-63.4 μm/year) versus 72.9 μm/year (95% CI, 61.3-84.5 μm/year; P = 0.012), respectively. In AREDS2 eyes with noncentral GA, in participants assigned to AREDS antioxidants without β-carotene (n = 325 eyes), proximity-based progression was significantly slower with randomization to lutein/zeaxanthin versus none, at 80.1 μm/year (95% CI, 60.9-99.3 μm/year) versus 114.4 μm/year (95% CI, 96.2-132.7 μm/year; P = 0.011), respectively. In AREDS eyes with any GA (n = 392), area-based progression was not significantly different with randomization to antioxidants versus none (P = 0.63). In AREDS2 eyes with any GA, in participants assigned to AREDS antioxidants without β-carotene (n = 505 eyes), area-based progression was not significantly different with randomization to lutein/zeaxanthin versus none (P = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS Oral micronutrient supplementation slowed GA progression toward the central macula, likely by augmenting the natural phenomenon of foveal sparing. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiarnán D L Keenan
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Elvira Agrón
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Pearse A Keane
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amitha Domalpally
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Emily Y Chew
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Mihalich A, Cammarata G, Tremolada G, Manfredini E, Bianchi Marzoli S, Di Blasio AM. Genetic Characterization of 191 Probands with Inherited Retinal Dystrophy by Targeted NGS Analysis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:766. [PMID: 38927702 PMCID: PMC11203276 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) represent a frequent cause of blindness in children and adults. As a consequence of the phenotype and genotype heterogeneity of the disease, it is difficult to have a specific diagnosis without molecular testing. To date, over 340 genes and loci have been associated with IRDs. We present the molecular finding of 191 individuals with IRD, analyzed by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). For 67 of them, we performed a family segregation study, considering a total of 126 relatives. A total of 359 variants were identified, 44 of which were novel. Genetic diagnostic yield was 41%. However, after stratifying the patients according to their clinical suspicion, diagnostic yield was higher for well-characterized diseases such as Stargardt disease (STGD), at 65%, and for congenital stationary night blindness 2 (CSNB2), at 64%. Diagnostic yield was higher in the patient group where family segregation analysis was possible (68%) and it was higher in younger (55%) than in older patients (33%). The results of this analysis demonstrated that targeted NGS is an effective method for establishing a molecular genetic diagnosis of IRDs. Furthermore, this study underlines the importance of segregation studies to understand the role of genetic variants with unknow pathogenic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Mihalich
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20145 Milan, Italy; (E.M.); (A.M.D.B.)
- Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20145 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (G.T.); (S.B.M.)
| | - Gabriella Cammarata
- Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20145 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (G.T.); (S.B.M.)
| | - Gemma Tremolada
- Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20145 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (G.T.); (S.B.M.)
| | - Emanuela Manfredini
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20145 Milan, Italy; (E.M.); (A.M.D.B.)
| | - Stefania Bianchi Marzoli
- Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Electrophysiology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20145 Milan, Italy; (G.C.); (G.T.); (S.B.M.)
| | - Anna Maria Di Blasio
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20145 Milan, Italy; (E.M.); (A.M.D.B.)
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Pierce EA, Aleman TS, Jayasundera KT, Ashimatey BS, Kim K, Rashid A, Jaskolka MC, Myers RL, Lam BL, Bailey ST, Comander JI, Lauer AK, Maguire AM, Pennesi ME. Gene Editing for CEP290-Associated Retinal Degeneration. N Engl J Med 2024; 390:1972-1984. [PMID: 38709228 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2309915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CEP290-associated inherited retinal degeneration causes severe early-onset vision loss due to pathogenic variants in CEP290. EDIT-101 is a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene-editing complex designed to treat inherited retinal degeneration caused by a specific damaging variant in intron 26 of CEP290 (IVS26 variant). METHODS We performed a phase 1-2, open-label, single-ascending-dose study in which persons 3 years of age or older with CEP290-associated inherited retinal degeneration caused by a homozygous or compound heterozygous IVS26 variant received a subretinal injection of EDIT-101 in the worse (study) eye. The primary outcome was safety, which included adverse events and dose-limiting toxic effects. Key secondary efficacy outcomes were the change from baseline in the best corrected visual acuity, the retinal sensitivity detected with the use of full-field stimulus testing (FST), the score on the Ora-Visual Navigation Challenge mobility test, and the vision-related quality-of-life score on the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (in adults) or the Children's Visual Function Questionnaire (in children). RESULTS EDIT-101 was injected in 12 adults 17 to 63 years of age (median, 37 years) at a low dose (in 2 participants), an intermediate dose (in 5), or a high dose (in 5) and in 2 children 9 and 14 years of age at the intermediate dose. At baseline, the median best corrected visual acuity in the study eye was 2.4 log10 of the minimum angle of resolution (range, 3.9 to 0.6). No serious adverse events related to the treatment or procedure and no dose-limiting toxic effects were recorded. Six participants had a meaningful improvement from baseline in cone-mediated vision as assessed with the use of FST, of whom 5 had improvement in at least one other key secondary outcome. Nine participants (64%) had a meaningful improvement from baseline in the best corrected visual acuity, the sensitivity to red light as measured with FST, or the score on the mobility test. Six participants had a meaningful improvement from baseline in the vision-related quality-of-life score. CONCLUSIONS The safety profile and improvements in photoreceptor function after EDIT-101 treatment in this small phase 1-2 study support further research of in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to treat inherited retinal degenerations due to the IVS26 variant of CEP290 and other genetic causes. (Funded by Editas Medicine and others; BRILLIANCE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03872479.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Pierce
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Tomas S Aleman
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Kanishka T Jayasundera
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Bright S Ashimatey
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Keunpyo Kim
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Alia Rashid
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Michael C Jaskolka
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Rene L Myers
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Byron L Lam
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Steven T Bailey
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Jason I Comander
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Andreas K Lauer
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Albert M Maguire
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
| | - Mark E Pennesi
- From the Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston (E.A.P., J.I.C.), and Editas Medicine, Cambridge (B.S.A., K.K., A.R., M.C.J., R.L.M.) - both in Massachusetts; the Scheie Eye Institute and the Division of Ophthalmology of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (T.S.A., A.M.M.); the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor (K.T.J.); the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami (B.L.L.); and the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (S.T.B., A.K.L., M.E.P.)
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Rutan Woods CT, Makia MS, Lewis TR, Crane R, Zeibak S, Yu P, Kakakhel M, Castillo CM, Arshavsky VY, Naash MI, Al-Ubaidi MR. Downregulation of rhodopsin is an effective therapeutic strategy in ameliorating peripherin-2-associated inherited retinal disorders. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4756. [PMID: 38834544 PMCID: PMC11150396 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48846-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Given the absence of approved treatments for pathogenic variants in Peripherin-2 (PRPH2), it is imperative to identify a universally effective therapeutic target for PRPH2 pathogenic variants. To test the hypothesis that formation of the elongated discs in presence of PRPH2 pathogenic variants is due to the presence of the full complement of rhodopsin in absence of the required amounts of functional PRPH2. Here we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of reducing rhodopsin levels in ameliorating disease phenotype in knockin models for p.Lys154del (c.458-460del) and p.Tyr141Cys (c.422 A > G) in PRPH2. Reducing rhodopsin levels improves physiological function, mitigates the severity of disc abnormalities, and decreases retinal gliosis. Additionally, intravitreal injections of a rhodopsin-specific antisense oligonucleotide successfully enhance the physiological function of photoreceptors and improves the ultrastructure of discs in mutant mice. Presented findings shows that reducing rhodopsin levels is an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inherited retinal degeneration associated with PRPH2 pathogenic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mustafa S Makia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Tylor R Lewis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Ryan Crane
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Stephanie Zeibak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Paul Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Mashal Kakakhel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Carson M Castillo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Vadim Y Arshavsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Muna I Naash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
| | - Muayyad R Al-Ubaidi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
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Audo I, Nassisi M, Zeitz C, Sahel JA. The Extraordinary Phenotypic and Genetic Variability of Retinal and Macular Degenerations: The Relevance to Therapeutic Developments. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041652. [PMID: 37604589 PMCID: PMC11146306 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041652] [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: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of rare conditions leading to various degrees of visual handicap and to progressive blindness in more severe cases. Besides visual rehabilitation, educational, and socio-professional support, there are currently limited therapeutic options, but the approval of the first gene therapy product for RPE65-related IRDs raised hope for therapeutic innovations. Such developments are facing obstacles intrinsic to the disease and the affected tissue including the extreme phenotypic and genetic variability of IRDs and the fine tuning of visual processing through the complex architecture of the postmitotic neural retina. A precise phenotypic characterization is required prior to genetic testing, which now relies on high-throughput sequencing. Their challenges will be discussed within this article as well as their implications in clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Audo
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris 75012, France
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, National Rare Disease Center REFERET and INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris F-75012, France
| | - Marco Nassisi
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris 75012, France
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Italy
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Christina Zeitz
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris 75012, France
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris 75012, France
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, National Rare Disease Center REFERET and INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris F-75012, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
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Musleh AM, AlRyalat SA, Abid MN, Salem Y, Hamila HM, Sallam AB. Diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence in detecting retinitis pigmentosa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Surv Ophthalmol 2024; 69:411-417. [PMID: 38042377 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.11.010] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is often undetected in its early stages. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool in medical diagnostics. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of AI in detecting RP using various ophthalmic images. We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases on December 31, 2022. We included studies in the English language that used any ophthalmic imaging modality, such as OCT or fundus photography, used any AI technologies, had at least an expert in ophthalmology as a reference standard, and proposed an AI algorithm able to distinguish between images with and without retinitis pigmentosa features. We considered the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) as the main measures of accuracy. We had a total of 14 studies in the qualitative analysis and 10 studies in the quantitative analysis. In total, the studies included in the meta-analysis dealt with 920,162 images. Overall, AI showed an excellent performance in detecting RP with pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.985 [95%CI: 0.948-0.996], 0.993 [95%CI: 0.982-0.997] respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), using a random-effect model, was calculated to be 0.999 [95%CI: 0.998-1.000; P < 0.001]. The Zhou and Dendukuri I² test revealed a low level of heterogeneity between the studies, with [I2 = 19.94%] for sensitivity and [I2 = 21.07%] for specificity. The bivariate I² [20.33%] also suggested a low degree of heterogeneity. We found evidence supporting the accuracy of AI in the detection of RP; however, the level of heterogeneity between the studies was low.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saif Aldeen AlRyalat
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; Department of Ophthalmology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Mohammad Naim Abid
- Marka Specialty Hospital, Amman, Jordan; Valley Retina Institute, P.A., McAllen, TX, USA
| | - Yahia Salem
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Ahmed B Sallam
- Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR, USA
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8
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Oh R, Woo SJ, Joo K. Whole genome sequencing for inherited retinal diseases in the Korean National Project of Bio Big Data. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2024; 262:1351-1359. [PMID: 37947821 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06309-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to analyze the genetic results of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in the Korean National Project of Bio Big Data. METHODS As part of the Korean National Project of Bio Big Data, WGS was performed on 32 individuals with IRDs with no identified pathogenic variants through whole or targeted exome sequencing. RESULTS Individuals with retinitis pigmentosa (n = 23), cone dystrophy (n = 2), cone-rod dystrophy (n = 2), familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (n = 2), pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy (n = 1), North Carolina macular dystrophy (n = 1), and bull's-eye macular dystrophy (n = 1) were included. WGS revealed genetic mutations in the IQCB1, PRPF31, USH2A, and GUCY2D genes in five cases (15.6%). Two large structural variations and an intronic variant were newly detected in three cases. Two individuals had biallelic missense mutations that were not identified in previous exome sequencing. CONCLUSION With WGS, the causative variants in 15.6% of unsolved IRDs from the Korean National Project of Bio Big Data were identified. Further research with a larger cohort might unveil the diagnostic usefulness of WGS in IRDs and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richul Oh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggido, Republic of Korea, 13620
| | - Se Joon Woo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggido, Republic of Korea, 13620
| | - Kwangsic Joo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggido, Republic of Korea, 13620.
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9
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Kamarck ML, Trimmer C, Murphy NR, Gregory KM, Manoel D, Logan DW, Saraiva LR, Mainland JD. Identifying candidate genes underlying isolated congenital anosmia. Clin Genet 2024; 105:376-385. [PMID: 38148624 PMCID: PMC10932857 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
An estimated 1 in 10 000 people are born without the ability to smell, a condition known as congenital anosmia, and about one third of those people have non-syndromic, or isolated congenital anosmia (ICA). Despite the significant impact of olfaction for our quality of life, the underlying causes of ICA remain largely unknown. Using whole exome sequencing (WES) in 10 families and 141 individuals with ICA, we identified a candidate list of 162 rare, segregating, deleterious variants in 158 genes. We confirmed the involvement of CNGA2, a previously implicated ICA gene that is an essential component of the olfactory transduction pathway. Furthermore, we found a loss-of-function variant in SREK1IP1 from the family gene candidate list, which was also observed in 5% of individuals in an additional non-family cohort with ICA. Although SREK1IP1 has not been previously associated with olfaction, its role in zinc ion binding suggests a potential influence on olfactory signaling. This study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the spectrum of genetic alterations and their etiology in ICA patients, which may improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of this disorder and lead to better understanding of the mechanisms governing basic olfactory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa L. Kamarck
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Luis R. Saraiva
- Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University; Doha, Qatar
| | - Joel D. Mainland
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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10
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Xu F, Zheng C, Xu W, Zhang S, Liu S, Chen X, Yao K. Breaking genetic shackles: The advance of base editing in genetic disorder treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1364135. [PMID: 38510648 PMCID: PMC10953296 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1364135] [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: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid evolution of gene editing technology has markedly improved the outlook for treating genetic diseases. Base editing, recognized as an exceptionally precise genetic modification tool, is emerging as a focus in the realm of genetic disease therapy. We provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles and delivery methods of cytosine base editors (CBE), adenine base editors (ABE), and RNA base editors, with a particular focus on their applications and recent research advances in the treatment of genetic diseases. We have also explored the potential challenges faced by base editing technology in treatment, including aspects such as targeting specificity, safety, and efficacy, and have enumerated a series of possible solutions to propel the clinical translation of base editing technology. In conclusion, this article not only underscores the present state of base editing technology but also envisions its tremendous potential in the future, providing a novel perspective on the treatment of genetic diseases. It underscores the vast potential of base editing technology in the realm of genetic medicine, providing support for the progression of gene medicine and the development of innovative approaches to genetic disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Xu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Caiyan Zheng
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihui Xu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiyao Zhang
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaopeng Chen
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Yao
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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11
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Comberiati AM, Lomartire C, Malvasi M, Migliorini R, Pacella F, Malvasi VM, Turchetti P, Pacella E. Alteration Ocular Motility in Retinitis Pigmentosa: Case-Control Study. CLINICAL OPTOMETRY 2024; 16:55-69. [PMID: 38410094 PMCID: PMC10895995 DOI: 10.2147/opto.s446717] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate ocular motility (OM) disorders and strabismus in a sample of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and a control sample. Methods In this cross-sectional retrospective analysis, we studied a sample of RP patients with a mean age of 48.74 years and an average visual acuity of 7/10 based on Snellen optotype and a sample of control patients with similar mean age (49 years [men], 47 years [women]) and sex and an average visual acuity of 9.9/10, with the aim of assessing correlations between alteration of OM and strabismus in RP patients based on age, high refractive defect, or severely impaired binocular vision. The examination followed a protocol of testing for anamnesis and best-corrected visual acuity, as well as a complete eye examination, corneal reflex, cover test, OM, Hess screen, and Lang test. Results At the first orthoptic evaluation, 45.16% of patients showed strabismus, 41.93% exotropia (25% of cases intermittent), 3.22% esotropia, and 6.45% vertical deviation. Later evaluation showed strabismus in 25.80% of patients, exotropia in 19.35% (9.67% intermittent), esotropia in 3.22%, and vertical deviation in 3.22%. Assessment of eye motility study showed 51.6% overaction of the inferior oblique and hypofunction of the superior rectus, and 18% overaction of the lateral rectus and hypofunction of the medial rectus. According to our results, alterations in OM and strabismus in RP patients are not correlated with age or high refractive defect. Therefore, motility disorders and strabismus are attributed to a genetic factor to which men are more susceptible. Conclusion The incidence of OM disorder was 77.42%, and strabismus was present in 45.16% of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Lomartire
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Vito Maurizio Malvasi
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Turchetti
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP/NIHMP), Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Pacella
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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12
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Sahin I, Erdem HB, Bahsi T, Saat H. Expanding the Genotype-Phenotype Correlations and Mutational Spectrum in Inherited Retinal Diseases: Novel and Recurrent Mutations. Cureus 2024; 16:e53742. [PMID: 38465142 PMCID: PMC10920963 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) represent a prominent etiology of visual impairment on a global scale. The lack of a clear definition of the etiology and genotypic spectrum of IRD is attributed to the significant genetic variability seen. Additionally, there is a scarcity of available data about the correlations between genotypes and phenotypes in this context. This study aimed to clarify the range of mutations and the associations between genotypes and phenotypes in IRD. Methods This cohort consists of 223 patients who have been diagnosed with a range of retinal illnesses, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Stargardt (STGD)/STGD-like disease, Usher syndrome, and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). The validation of each mutation and its pathogenicity was conducted by bioinformatics analysis, Sanger sequencing-based co-segregation testing, and computational assessment. The link between genotype and phenotype was analyzed in all patients who possessed mutations as described in the recommendations established by the American College of Medical Genetics. Results A total of 223 cases, comprising Turkish and Syrian families, were examined, revealing the presence of 175 distinct mutations in the IRD gene. Among these mutations, 58 were identified as unique, indicating that they had not been previously reported. A total of 119 mutations were identified to be likely pathogenic, while 104 mutations were classified as pathogenic. The study identified patterns of heredity, namely autosomal recessive, dominant, and X-linked inheritance. Conclusions The findings of this study broaden the clinical and molecular aspects of IRD and further enhance our understanding of its complex nature. The discovery of previously unknown relationships between genetic variations and observable traits, as well as the wide range of genetic variants associated with IRD, significantly contributes to our existing understanding of the diverse phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of IRD. This new information will prove invaluable in facilitating accurate clinical diagnoses as well as personalized therapeutic interventions for individuals affected by IRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Sahin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, BHR
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Health Sciences, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, TUR
| | - Haktan B Erdem
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, TUR
| | - Taha Bahsi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, TUR
| | - Hanife Saat
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, TUR
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13
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Brar AS, Parameswarappa DC, Takkar B, Narayanan R, Jalali S, Mandal S, Fujinami K, Padhy SK. Gene Therapy for Inherited Retinal Diseases: From Laboratory Bench to Patient Bedside and Beyond. Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:21-50. [PMID: 38113023 PMCID: PMC10776519 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-023-00862-2] [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: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review provides a thorough examination of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), encompassing their classification, genetic underpinnings, and the promising landscape of gene therapy trials. IRDs, a diverse group of genetic conditions causing vision loss through photoreceptor cell death, are explored through various angles, including inheritance patterns, gene involvement, and associated systemic disorders. The focal point is gene therapy, which offers hope for halting or even reversing the progression of IRDs. The review highlights ongoing clinical trials spanning retinal cell replacement, neuroprotection, pharmacological interventions, and optogenetics. While these therapies hold tremendous potential, they face challenges like timing optimization, standardized assessment criteria, inflammation management, vector refinement, and raising awareness among vision scientists. Additionally, translating gene therapy success into widespread adoption and addressing cost-effectiveness are crucial challenges to address. Continued research and clinical trials are essential to fully harness gene therapy's potential in treating IRDs and enhancing the lives of affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Singh Brar
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Mithu Tulsi Chanrai Campus, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Deepika C Parameswarappa
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad, 500034, India
| | - Brijesh Takkar
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad, 500034, India
| | - Raja Narayanan
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad, 500034, India
| | - Subhadra Jalali
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad, 500034, India
| | - Sohini Mandal
- Dr Rajendra Prasad Center for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Kaoru Fujinami
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, 152-8902, Japan
| | - Srikanta Kumar Padhy
- Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Mithu Tulsi Chanrai Campus, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
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14
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Bolz HJ, Kochs CL, Holz FG, Bucher F, Herrmann P. [Inherited retinal diseases in Germany-Challenges in health care supply structure and diagnostics]. DIE OPHTHALMOLOGIE 2023; 120:1251-1257. [PMID: 37606831 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-023-01903-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are rare eye diseases and pose high diagnostic challenges. A care structure with few highly specialized centers in Germany, misdiagnosis due to the lack of molecular genetic testing, and a lack of a central registry lead to a lack of reliable information on the prevalence and distribution of IRDs in Germany. METHODS Based on clinical data from an ophthalmological center and molecular data from a genetic center as well as a nationwide health insurance data query, we estimated the prevalence of IRDs in Germany in addition to collecting information on their phenotypic and genotypic distribution. RESULTS The median travelling distance to the ophthalmological center was 60 km. The most frequent diagnoses were retinitis pigmentosa, macular dystrophy and general retinal dystrophy. Molecular genetic testing was performed in 87% of patients with clinical suspicion of IRD, with marked differences in frequencies among age cohorts. The molecular genetic detection rate in the genetic center was 51%. The prevalence of inherited retinal dystrophy in Germany determined by health insurance data retrieval was approximately 1:1150. CONCLUSION Many patients must travel long distances to visit specialized clinics for IRDs with access to genetic testing. To obtain more reliable numbers on the prevalence in Germany, routine molecular genetic testing, and a national registry for IRD detection are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanno J Bolz
- Senckenberg Zentrum für Humangenetik, Weismüllerstr. 50, 60314, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Constanze L Kochs
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
- Zentrum für seltene Erkrankungen Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Frank G Holz
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
- Zentrum für seltene Erkrankungen Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Franziska Bucher
- Novartis Pharma GmbH, Roonstr. 25, 90429, Nürnberg, Deutschland
- Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50924, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Philipp Herrmann
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland.
- Zentrum für seltene Erkrankungen Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland.
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15
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Paez-Escamilla M, Alabek ML, Beale O, Prensky CJ, Lejoyeux R, Friberg TR, Sahel JA, Rosin B. An Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Measure as an Independent Estimate of Retinal Function in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3521. [PMID: 38066762 PMCID: PMC10706660 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13233521] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the clinical advances in the field of gene therapy, the development of objective measures of visual function of patients with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) is of utmost importance. Here, we propose one such measure. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from a cohort of 194 eyes of 97 genetically diagnosed patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most common IRD, followed at the UPMC Vision Institute. The analyzed data included the reflectivity ratio (RR) of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) to that of the entire retina, visual acuity (VA) and the thickness of the retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL) and the RNFL. RESULTS There was a strong positive correlation between the RR and VA. Both VA and the RR were negatively correlated with disease duration; VA, but not the RR, was negatively correlated with age. The RR correlated with the ONL but not with the RNFL thickness or the intraocular pressure. Age, RR, disease duration and ONL thickness were found to be independent predictors of VA by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION The OCT RR could serve as an independent predictor of visual acuity, and by extension of retinal function, in genetically diagnosed RP patients. Such objective measures can be of great value in patient selection for therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Paez-Escamilla
- Department of Ophthalmology/UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (M.P.-E.); (M.L.A.); (O.B.); (C.J.P.); (R.L.); (T.R.F.); (J.-A.S.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Michelle L. Alabek
- Department of Ophthalmology/UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (M.P.-E.); (M.L.A.); (O.B.); (C.J.P.); (R.L.); (T.R.F.); (J.-A.S.)
| | - Oliver Beale
- Department of Ophthalmology/UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (M.P.-E.); (M.L.A.); (O.B.); (C.J.P.); (R.L.); (T.R.F.); (J.-A.S.)
| | - Colin J. Prensky
- Department of Ophthalmology/UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (M.P.-E.); (M.L.A.); (O.B.); (C.J.P.); (R.L.); (T.R.F.); (J.-A.S.)
| | - Raphael Lejoyeux
- Department of Ophthalmology/UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (M.P.-E.); (M.L.A.); (O.B.); (C.J.P.); (R.L.); (T.R.F.); (J.-A.S.)
- Rothschild Foundation Hospital, 75019 Paris, France
- Institut Oeil Paupiere, Viry-Chatillon, 91170 Paris, France
| | - Thomas R. Friberg
- Department of Ophthalmology/UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (M.P.-E.); (M.L.A.); (O.B.); (C.J.P.); (R.L.); (T.R.F.); (J.-A.S.)
| | - Jose-Alain Sahel
- Department of Ophthalmology/UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (M.P.-E.); (M.L.A.); (O.B.); (C.J.P.); (R.L.); (T.R.F.); (J.-A.S.)
| | - Boris Rosin
- Department of Ophthalmology/UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), 1622 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (M.P.-E.); (M.L.A.); (O.B.); (C.J.P.); (R.L.); (T.R.F.); (J.-A.S.)
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16
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Mansouri N, Darabi P, Favaedi M, Faizmahdavi H, Nankali S, Assefi M, Sharafshah A, Omarmeli V. A Novel Arg120Pro Mutation in the RP2 Gene in an Iranian Family with X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Case Report. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2023; 48:606-611. [PMID: 38094283 PMCID: PMC10715112 DOI: 10.30476/ijms.2022.96392.2792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
As the most common type of inherited retinal degenerative disease, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has taken clinical and prenatal attention. Considering the clinical importance of consanguineous marriages, new mutations in this type of pregnancy have a high risk and increase the importance of Prenatal Diagnosis (PND). In vitro analysis was done through Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) for a 36-year-old woman who was referred to a genetic laboratory in Kermanshah in 2021 for PND. The woman had consanguineous marriage and was pregnant with twins (a boy and a girl). Mutation confirmation tests were also performed on her husband and both fetuses to find mutations. Moreover, in silico analyses were performed by SWISS-MODEL, ProSA, Molprobity, Swiss-Pdb Viewer, and ERRAT. The WES analysis showed a novel mutation of the RP2 gene (exon2:c. 359G>C: p.R120P) in the 36-year-old pregnant woman. Mutations identified in her husband and her twins revealed changes in protein conformations. Further modeling and validation evaluations showed the replacement of Arg by Pro at the 120th residue site of the cognate protein. For the first time, our report introduced a novel missense mutation in the RP2 gene associated with severe signs of RP in an Iranian family based on an X-linked recessive pattern of genetic inheritance. These findings may pave the way for a better diagnosis of RP in genetic counseling and PND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasrin Mansouri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | | | - Masoumeh Favaedi
- Health Network of Kermanshah, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Hanieh Faizmahdavi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Soheila Nankali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Sharafshah
- Dr. Shaveisi-zadeh Medical Genetic Lab, Kermanshah, Iran
- Division of Genetics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, School of Science and Biotechnology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Vahid Omarmeli
- Dr. Shaveisi-zadeh Medical Genetic Lab, Kermanshah, Iran
- Department of Biology, School of Bioscience, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Katada Y, Yoshida K, Serizawa N, Lee D, Kobayashi K, Negishi K, Okano H, Kandori H, Tsubota K, Kurihara T. Highly sensitive visual restoration and protection via ectopic expression of chimeric rhodopsin in mice. iScience 2023; 26:107716. [PMID: 37720108 PMCID: PMC10504486 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreception requires amplification by mammalian rhodopsin through G protein activation, which requires a visual cycle. To achieve this in retinal gene therapy, we incorporated human rhodopsin cytoplasmic loops into Gloeobacter rhodopsin, thereby generating Gloeobacter and human chimeric rhodopsin (GHCR). In a murine model of inherited retinal degeneration, we induced retinal GHCR expression by intravitreal injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector. Retinal explant and visual thalamus electrophysiological recordings, behavioral tests, and histological analysis showed that GHCR restored dim-environment vision and prevented the progression of retinal degeneration. Thus, GHCR may be a potent clinical tool for the treatment of retinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusaku Katada
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuho Yoshida
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Aichi 466-0061, Japan
| | - Naho Serizawa
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-8650, Japan
| | - Deokho Lee
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kenta Kobayashi
- Section of Viral Vector Development, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuno Negishi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideki Kandori
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Aichi 466-0061, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- Tsubota Laboratory, Inc., Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0016, Japan
| | - Toshihide Kurihara
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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18
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Tolone A, Haq W, Fachinger A, Roy A, Kesh S, Rentsch A, Wucherpfennig S, Zhu Y, Groten J, Schwede F, Tomar T, Herberg FW, Nache V, Paquet-Durand F. The PKG Inhibitor CN238 Affords Functional Protection of Photoreceptors and Ganglion Cells against Retinal Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15277. [PMID: 37894958 PMCID: PMC10607377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary retinal degeneration (RD) is often associated with excessive cGMP signalling in photoreceptors. Previous research has shown that inhibition of cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG) can reduce photoreceptor loss in two different RD animal models. In this study, we identified a PKG inhibitor, the cGMP analogue CN238, which preserved photoreceptor viability and functionality in rd1 and rd10 mutant mice. Surprisingly, in explanted retinae, CN238 also protected retinal ganglion cells from axotomy-induced retrograde degeneration and preserved their functionality. Furthermore, kinase activity-dependent protein phosphorylation of the PKG target Kv1.6 was reduced in CN238-treated rd10 retinal explants. Ca2+-imaging on rd10 acute retinal explants revealed delayed retinal ganglion cell repolarization with CN238 treatment, suggesting a PKG-dependent modulation of Kv1-channels. Together, these results highlight the strong neuroprotective capacity of PKG inhibitors for both photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells, illustrating their broad potential for the treatment of retinal diseases and possibly neurodegenerative diseases in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Tolone
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.T.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Wadood Haq
- Neuroretinal Electrophysiology and Imaging, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Alexandra Fachinger
- Biochemistry Department, University of Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany; (A.F.); (F.W.H.)
| | - Akanksha Roy
- PamGene International B.V., 5211 ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; (A.R.); (J.G.); (T.T.)
| | - Sandeep Kesh
- Institute of Physiology II, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (S.K.); (S.W.); (V.N.)
| | - Andreas Rentsch
- Biolog Life Science Institute GmbH & Co. KG, 28199 Bremen, Germany; (A.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Sophie Wucherpfennig
- Institute of Physiology II, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (S.K.); (S.W.); (V.N.)
| | - Yu Zhu
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.T.); (Y.Z.)
| | - John Groten
- PamGene International B.V., 5211 ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; (A.R.); (J.G.); (T.T.)
| | - Frank Schwede
- Biolog Life Science Institute GmbH & Co. KG, 28199 Bremen, Germany; (A.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Tushar Tomar
- PamGene International B.V., 5211 ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; (A.R.); (J.G.); (T.T.)
| | - Friedrich W. Herberg
- Biochemistry Department, University of Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany; (A.F.); (F.W.H.)
| | - Vasilica Nache
- Institute of Physiology II, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; (S.K.); (S.W.); (V.N.)
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (A.T.); (Y.Z.)
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19
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Kerschensteiner D. Losing, preserving, and restoring vision from neurodegeneration in the eye. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R1019-R1036. [PMID: 37816323 PMCID: PMC10575673 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The retina is a part of the brain that sits at the back of the eye, looking out onto the world. The first neurons of the retina are the rod and cone photoreceptors, which convert changes in photon flux into electrical signals that are the basis of vision. Rods and cones are frequent targets of heritable neurodegenerative diseases that cause visual impairment, including blindness, in millions of people worldwide. This review summarizes the diverse genetic causes of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) and their convergence onto common pathogenic mechanisms of vision loss. Currently, there are few effective treatments for IRDs, but recent advances in disparate areas of biology and technology (e.g., genome editing, viral engineering, 3D organoids, optogenetics, semiconductor arrays) discussed here enable promising efforts to preserve and restore vision in IRD patients with implications for neurodegeneration in less approachable brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kerschensteiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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20
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Kamde SP, Anjankar A. Retinitis Pigmentosa: Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Findings, and Treatment. Cureus 2023; 15:e48006. [PMID: 38034182 PMCID: PMC10686897 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) that causes progressive visual loss. Patients suffering from RP have a substantial influence on their everyday activities, social contacts, and jobs, lowering their quality of life. Frequent referral delays, as well as the lack of a standard therapy for the majority of patients, contribute to the significant unmet demand for RP. Any retinal injury has the potential to result in total blindness and visual impairment. Despite the fact that there is no cure for RP, people can manage it using rehabilitation programs and low-vision gadgets. The purpose of this research is to characterize the expanding treatment landscape for RP, as well as the justification for advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). Vitamin A supplements can help prevent the sluggish visual loss caused by a prevalent kind of RP. The presence of visual purple in the rods and the underlying vascular choroid causes the retina to look purplish red. The major portion of the retina damaged is the rod photoreceptor electric cell; the development of diverse diseases is progressive. Because of the retina's accessibility, immunological privilege, and compartmentalization, hereditary retinal diseases are amenable to cell and gene therapy. Therapeutic techniques that attempt to rescue photoreceptors (gene therapies) require the existence of non-functional target cells, but other therapies (cell therapies) do not require the presence of live photoreceptors. To provide successful therapy choices for RP patients at all disease phases, the development pipeline must be continually diversified and advanced, as well as ongoing efforts to encourage early patient identification and quick diagnosis. Future research will focus on avoiding vision loss in genetic eye illnesses and assisting patients in regaining their eyesight. Retinal implants, cell therapies, supplementary medications, and gene therapies may become common treatments for reducing vision loss in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saakshi P Kamde
- Forensic Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Anil Anjankar
- Forensic Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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21
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Halfmann C, Rüland T, Müller F, Jehasse K, Kampa BM. Electrophysiological properties of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the primary visual cortex of a retinitis pigmentosa mouse model ( rd10). Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1258773. [PMID: 37780205 PMCID: PMC10540630 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1258773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degeneration is one of the main causes of visual impairment and blindness. One group of retinal degenerative diseases, leading to the loss of photoreceptors, is collectively termed retinitis pigmentosa. In this group of diseases, the remaining retina is largely spared from initial cell death making retinal ganglion cells an interesting target for vision restoration methods. However, it is unknown how downstream brain areas, in particular the visual cortex, are affected by the progression of blindness. Visual deprivation studies have shown dramatic changes in the electrophysiological properties of visual cortex neurons, but changes on a cellular level in retinitis pigmentosa have not been investigated yet. Therefore, we used the rd10 mouse model to perform patch-clamp recordings of pyramidal neurons in layer 2/3 of the primary visual cortex to screen for potential changes in electrophysiological properties resulting from retinal degeneration. Compared to wild-type C57BL/6 mice, we only found an increase in intrinsic excitability around the time point of maximal retinal degeneration. In addition, we saw an increase in the current amplitude of spontaneous putative inhibitory events after a longer progression of retinal degeneration. However, we did not observe a long-lasting shift in excitability after prolonged retinal degeneration. Together, our results provide evidence of an intact visual cortex with promising potential for future therapeutic strategies to restore vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claas Halfmann
- Systems Neurophysiology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Rüland
- Systems Neurophysiology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Research Training Group 2416 MultiSenses-MultiScales, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Müller
- Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
- Research Training Group 2416 MultiSenses-MultiScales, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Research Training Group 2610 Innoretvision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kevin Jehasse
- Systems Neurophysiology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Björn M. Kampa
- Systems Neurophysiology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Research Training Group 2416 MultiSenses-MultiScales, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Research Training Group 2610 Innoretvision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- JARA BRAIN, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-10), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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22
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Katada Y, Kunimi H, Serizawa N, Lee D, Kobayashi K, Negishi K, Okano H, Tanaka KF, Tsubota K, Kurihara T. Starburst amacrine cells amplify optogenetic visual restoration through gap junctions. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:1-13. [PMID: 37324975 PMCID: PMC10265492 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ectopic induction of optogenetic actuators, such as channelrhodopsin, is a promising approach to restoring vision in the degenerating retina. However, the cell type-specific response of ectopic photoreception has not been well understood. There are limits to obtaining efficient gene expression in a specifically targeted cell population by a transgenic approach. In the present study, we established a murine model with high efficiency of gene induction to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells using an improved tetracycline transactivator-operator bipartite system (KENGE-tet system). To investigate the cell type-specific visual restorative effect, we expressed the channelrhodopsin gene into RGCs and amacrine cells using the KENGE-tet system. As a result, enhancement in the visual restorative effect was observed to RGCs and starburst amacrine cells. In conclusion, a photoresponse from amacrine cells may enhance the maintained response of RGCs and further increase or improve the visual restorative effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusaku Katada
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Kunimi
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Naho Serizawa
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-8650, Japan
| | - Deokho Lee
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kenta Kobayashi
- Section of Viral Vector Development, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuno Negishi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kenji F. Tanaka
- Division of Brain Sciences, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- Tsubota Laboratory, Inc, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0016, Japan
| | - Toshihide Kurihara
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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23
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Malvasi M, Casillo L, Avogaro F, Abbouda A, Vingolo EM. Gene Therapy in Hereditary Retinal Dystrophies: The Usefulness of Diagnostic Tools in Candidate Patient Selections. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13756. [PMID: 37762059 PMCID: PMC10531171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Gene therapy actually seems to have promising results in the treatment of Leber Congenital Amaurosis and some different inherited retinal diseases (IRDs); the primary goal of this strategy is to change gene defects with a wild-type gene without defects in a DNA sequence to achieve partial recovery of the photoreceptor function and, consequently, partially restore lost retinal functions. This approach led to the introduction of a new drug (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl) for replacement of the RPE65 gene in patients affected by Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA); however, the treatment results are inconstant and with variable long-lasting effects due to a lack of correctly evaluating the anatomical and functional conditions of residual photoreceptors. These variabilities may also be related to host immunoreactive reactions towards the Adenovirus-associated vector. A broad spectrum of retinal dystrophies frequently generates doubt as to whether the disease or the patient is a good candidate for a successful gene treatment, because, very often, different diseases share similar genetic characteristics, causing an inconstant genotype/phenotype correlation between clinical characteristics also within the same family. For example, mutations on the RPE65 gene cause Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) but also some forms of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Bardet Biedl Syndrome (BBS), Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB) and Usher syndrome (USH), with a very wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. These confusing elements are due to the different pathways in which the product protein (retinoid isomer-hydrolase) is involved and, consequently, the overlapping metabolism in retinal function. Considering this point and the cost of the drug (over USD one hundred thousand), it would be mandatory to follow guidelines or algorithms to assess the best-fitting disease and candidate patients to maximize the output. Unfortunately, at the moment, there are no suggestions regarding who to treat with gene therapy. Moreover, gene therapy might be helpful in other forms of inherited retinal dystrophies, with more frequent incidence of the disease and better functional conditions (actually, gene therapy is proposed only for patients with poor vision, considering possible side effects due to the treatment procedures), in which this approach leads to better function and, hopefully, visual restoration. But, in this view, who might be a disease candidate or patient to undergo gene therapy, in relationship to the onset of clinical trials for several different forms of IRD? Further, what is the gold standard for tests able to correctly select the patient? Our work aims to evaluate clinical considerations on instrumental morphofunctional tests to assess candidate subjects for treatment and correlate them with clinical and genetic defect analysis that, often, is not correspondent. We try to define which parameters are an essential and indispensable part of the clinical rationale to select patients with IRDs for gene therapy. This review will describe a series of models used to characterize retinal morphology and function from tests, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electrophysiological evaluation (ERG), and its evaluation as a primary outcome in clinical trials. A secondary aim is to propose an ancillary clinical classification of IRDs and their accessibility based on gene therapy's current state of the art. MATERIAL AND METHODS OCT, ERG, and visual field examinations were performed in different forms of IRDs, classified based on clinical and retinal conditions; compared to the gene defect classification, we utilized a diagnostic algorithm for the clinical classification based on morphofunctional information of the retina of patients, which could significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and, consequently, help the ophthalmologist to make a correct diagnosis to achieve optimal clinical results. These considerations are very helpful in selecting IRD patients who might respond to gene therapy with possible therapeutic success and filter out those in which treatment has a lower chance or no chance of positive results due to bad retinal conditions, avoiding time-consuming patient management with unsatisfactory results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariaelena Malvasi
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.C.); (E.M.V.)
| | - Lorenzo Casillo
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.C.); (E.M.V.)
| | - Filippo Avogaro
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.C.); (E.M.V.)
| | - Alessandro Abbouda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fiorini Hospital Terracina AUSL, 04019 Terracina, Italy
| | - Enzo Maria Vingolo
- Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.C.); (E.M.V.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fiorini Hospital Terracina AUSL, 04019 Terracina, Italy
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24
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Lu J, Zheng KQ, Bertrand RE, Quinlan J, Ferdous S, Srinivasan T, Oh S, Wang K, Chen R. Gene augmentation therapy to rescue degenerative photoreceptors in a Cwc27 mutant mouse model. Exp Eye Res 2023; 234:109596. [PMID: 37479075 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Previous reports have demonstrated that defects in the spliceosome-associated protein CWC27 can lead to the degeneration of retinal cells in Cwc27 mutant mouse models. However, it is unknown whether gene replacement therapy can rescue this phenotype. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether AAV based gene therapy could rescue the retinal degeneration observed in Cwc27 mutant mice. By 6 months of age, Cwc27 mutant mice show a retinal degenerative phenotype, including morphological and functional abnormalities, primarily driven by the death of photoreceptors. We hypothesize that subretinal injection of AAV8 to drive exogenous CWC27 protein expression will improve the retinal phenotype. We evaluated these improvements after gene therapy with electroretinography (ERG) and histology, either hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) or immunostaining. In this study, we demonstrated that subretinal injection of AAV8-GRK-Cwc27-FLAG in mutant mice can improve the functionality and morphology of the retina. Immunostaining analyses revealed a notable decrease in photoreceptor degeneration, including cone cell degeneration, in the AAV-injected eyes compared to the PBS-injected eyes. Based on these results, gene replacement therapy could be a promising method for treating retinal degeneration caused by mutations in Cwc27.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiong Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Karen Q Zheng
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Renae Elaine Bertrand
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joseph Quinlan
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Salma Ferdous
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tanmay Srinivasan
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Soo Oh
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Keqing Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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25
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Kuo CY, Chung MY, Chen SJ. Pseudocoloboma-like maculopathy with biallelic RDH12 missense mutations. J Med Genet 2023; 60:859-865. [PMID: 36690427 PMCID: PMC10447408 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2022-108918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary maculopathy is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders. With distinctive clinical features, subtypes of macular atrophy may correlate with their genetic defects. METHODS Seven patients from six families with adolescent/adult-onset maculopathy were examined in this clinical case series. A detailed medical history and eye examination were performed. Genomic DNA sequencing was performed using whole exome sequencing or direct sequencing of retinol dehydrogenase 12 (RDH12) coding exons. RESULTS Seven patients, including one male and six female patients, with pseudocoloboma-like maculopathy had biallelic missense RDH12 mutations. The most common mutant allele found in six of the seven patients was p.Ala269Gly. The average disease onset was at age 19.3 years, and visual acuity ranged from count fingers to 1.0. Most of the patients had mild myopic refraction. Common findings on fundus examination and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography include discrete margins of pseudocoloboma-like macular lesions with variable degrees of chorioretinal atrophy, excavation of retinal tissue and pigmentary changes mainly in the macular area. The electroretinograms were relatively normal to subnormal in all participants. CONCLUSIONS Progressive macular degeneration with a relatively normal peripheral retina and subsequent development of a pseudocoloboma-like appearance were the main clinical features in patients with compound heterozygous RDH12 missense mutations. Genetic testing may be crucial for early diagnosis and may play a key role in the development of future treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Yuan Kuo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yi Chung
- Department of Life Sciences & Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Jones MK, Orozco LD, Qin H, Truong T, Caplazi P, Elstrott J, Modrusan Z, Chaney SY, Jeanne M. Integration of human stem cell-derived in vitro systems and mouse preclinical models identifies complex pathophysiologic mechanisms in retinal dystrophy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1252547. [PMID: 37691820 PMCID: PMC10483287 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1252547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Rare DRAM2 coding variants cause retinal dystrophy with early macular involvement via unknown mechanisms. We found that DRAM2 is ubiquitously expressed in the human eye and expression changes were observed in eyes with more common maculopathy such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). To gain insights into pathogenicity of DRAM2-related retinopathy, we used a combination of in vitro and in vivo models. We found that DRAM2 loss in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived retinal organoids caused the presence of additional mesenchymal cells. Interestingly, Dram2 loss in mice also caused increased proliferation of cells from the choroid in vitro and exacerbated choroidal neovascular lesions in vivo. Furthermore, we observed that DRAM2 loss in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells resulted in increased susceptibility to stress-induced cell death in vitro and that Dram2 loss in mice caused age-related photoreceptor degeneration. This highlights the complexity of DRAM2 function, as its loss in choroidal cells provided a proliferative advantage, whereas its loss in post-mitotic cells, such as photoreceptor and RPE cells, increased degeneration susceptibility. Different models such as human pluripotent stem cell-derived systems and mice can be leveraged to study and model human retinal dystrophies; however, cell type and species-specific expression must be taken into account when selecting relevant systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa K. Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
- Product Development Clinical Science Ophthalmology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Luz D. Orozco
- Department of Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Han Qin
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Tom Truong
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Patrick Caplazi
- Department of Research Pathology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Justin Elstrott
- Department of Translational Imaging, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Zora Modrusan
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics, Lipidomics and Next-Generation Sequencing, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Shawnta Y. Chaney
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Marion Jeanne
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
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Sp S, Mitra RN, Zheng M, Chrispell JD, Wang K, Kwon YS, Weiss ER, Han Z. Gene augmentation for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa using rhodopsin genomic loci nanoparticles in the P23H +/- knock-in murine model. Gene Ther 2023; 30:628-640. [PMID: 36935427 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00394-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) is challenged by the dominant inheritance of the mutant genes, which would seemingly require a combination of mutant suppression and wild-type replacement of the appropriate gene. We explore the possibility that delivery of a nanoparticle (NP)-mediated full-length mouse genomic rhodopsin (gRho) or human genomic rhodopsin (gRHO) locus can overcome the dominant negative effects of the mutant rhodopsin in the clinically relevant P23H+/--knock-in heterozygous mouse model. Our results demonstrate that mice in both gRho and gRHO NP-treated groups exhibit significant structural and functional recovery of the rod photoreceptors, which lasted for 3 months post-injection, indicating a promising reduction in photoreceptor degeneration. We performed miRNA transcriptome analysis using next generation sequencing and detected differentially expressed miRNAs as a first step towards identifying miRNAs that could potentially be used as rhodopsin gene expression enhancers or suppressors for sustained photoreceptor rescue. Our results indicate that delivering an intact genomic locus as a transgene has a greater chance of success compared to the use of the cDNA for treatment of this model of adRP, emphasizing the importance of gene augmentation using a gDNA that includes regulatory elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simna Sp
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Rajendra N Mitra
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Min Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jared D Chrispell
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yong-Su Kwon
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ellen R Weiss
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Zongchao Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Carolina Institute for NanoMedicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Division of Pharmacoengineering & Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Blasiak J, Chojnacki J, Szczepanska J, Fila M, Chojnacki C, Kaarniranta K, Pawlowska E. Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate, an Active Green Tea Component to Support Anti-VEGFA Therapy in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Nutrients 2023; 15:3358. [PMID: 37571296 PMCID: PMC10421466 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153358] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a largely incurable disease and an emerging problem in aging societies. It occurs in two forms, dry and wet (exudative, neovascular), which may cause legal blindness and sight loss. Currently, there is not any effective treatment for dry AMD. Meanwhile, repeated intravitreal injections with antibodies effective against vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) slow down wet AMD progression but are not free from complications. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is an active compound of green tea, which exerts many beneficial effects in the retinal pigment epithelium and the neural retina. It has been reported to downregulate the VEGFA gene by suppressing its activators. The inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases 1 and 3 (MAPK1 and MAPK3) may lie behind the antiangiogenic action of EGCG mediated by VEGFA. EGCG exerts protective effects against UV-induced damage to retinal cells and improves dysfunctional autophagy. EGCG may also interact with the mechanistic target rapamycin (MTOR) and unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase (ULK1) to modulate the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis. Several other studies report beneficial effects of EGCG on the retina that may be related to wet AMD. Therefore, controlled clinical trials are needed to verify whether diet supplementation with EGCG or green tea consumption may improve the results of anti-VEGFA therapy in wet AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janusz Blasiak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jan Chojnacki
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (J.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Joanna Szczepanska
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (J.S.); (E.P.)
| | - Michal Fila
- Department of Developmental Neurology and Epileptology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Cezary Chojnacki
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (J.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Elzbieta Pawlowska
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (J.S.); (E.P.)
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29
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Wang NK, Liu PK, Kong Y, Tseng YJ, Jenny LA, Nolan ND, Chen N, Wang HH, Hsu CW, Huang WC, Sparrow JR, Lin CS, Tsang SH. Spatiotemporal control of genome engineering in cone photoreceptors. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:119. [PMID: 37381060 PMCID: PMC10304375 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01033-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cones are essential for color recognition, high resolution, and central vision; therefore cone death causes blindness. Understanding the pathophysiology of each cell type in the retina is key to developing therapies for retinal diseases. However, studying the biology of cone cells in the rod-dominant mammalian retina is particularly challenging. In this study, we used a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) recombineering method to knock in the "CreERT2" sequence into the Gnat2 and Arr3 genes, respectively and generated three novel inducible CreERT2 mice with different cone cell specificities. RESULTS These models (Gnat2CreERT2, Arr3T2ACreERT2, and Arr3P2ACreERT2) express temporally controllable Cre recombinase that achieves conditional alleles in cone photoreceptors. Cre-LoxP recombination can be induced as early as postnatal day (PD) two upon tamoxifen injection at varying efficiencies, ranging from 10 to 15% in Gnat2CreERT2, 40% in Arr3T2ACreERT2, and 100% in Arr3P2ACreERT2. Notably, knocking in the P2A-CreERT2 cassette does not affect cone cell morphology and functionality. Most cone-phototransduction enzymes, including Opsins, CNGA3, etc. are not altered except for a reduction in the Arr3 transcript. CONCLUSIONS The Arr3P2ACreERT2 mouse, an inducible cone-specific Cre driver, is a valuable line in studying cone cell biology, function, as well as its relationship with rod and other retinal cells. Moreover, the Cre activity can be induced by delivering tamoxifen intragastrically as early as PD2, which will be useful for studying retinal development or in rapid degenerative mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan-Kai Wang
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA.
| | - Pei-Kang Liu
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yang Kong
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Yun-Ju Tseng
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Laura A Jenny
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Nicholas D Nolan
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Nelson Chen
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Hung-Hsi Wang
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Chun Wei Hsu
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Wan-Chun Huang
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Janet R Sparrow
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Chyuan-Sheng Lin
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Stephen H Tsang
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Jonas Children's Vision Care, and Bernard and Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Institute of Human Nutrition, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA.
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30
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Zufiaurre-Seijo M, García-Arumí J, Duarri A. Clinical and Molecular Aspects of C2orf71/PCARE in Retinal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10670. [PMID: 37445847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310670] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the photoreceptor-specific C2orf71 gene (also known as photoreceptor cilium actin regulator protein PCARE) cause autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa type 54 and cone-rod dystrophy. No treatments are available for patients with C2orf71 retinal ciliopathies exhibiting a severe clinical phenotype. Our understanding of the disease process and the role of PCARE in the healthy retina significantly limits our capacity to transfer recent technical developments into viable therapy choices. This study summarizes the current understanding of C2orf71-related retinal diseases, including their clinical manifestations and an unclear genotype-phenotype correlation. It discusses molecular and functional studies on the photoreceptor-specific ciliary PCARE, focusing on the photoreceptor cell and its ciliary axoneme. It is proposed that PCARE is an actin-associated protein that interacts with WASF3 to regulate the actin-driven expansion of the ciliary membrane during the development of a new outer segment disk in photoreceptor cells. This review also introduces various cellular and animal models used to model these diseases and provides an overview of potential treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalen Zufiaurre-Seijo
- Ophthalmology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José García-Arumí
- Ophthalmology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Duarri
- Ophthalmology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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31
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Sharif NA. Elevated Intraocular Pressure and Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy: Genes to Disease Mechanisms, Therapeutic Drugs, and Gene Therapies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:870. [PMID: 37375817 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review article focuses on the pathogenesis of and genetic defects linked with chronic ocular hypertension (cOHT) and glaucoma. The latter ocular disease constitutes a group of ocular degenerative diseases whose hallmark features are damage to the optic nerve, apoptotic demise of retinal ganglion cells, disturbances within the brain regions involved in visual perception and considerable visual impairment that can lead to blindness. Even though a number of pharmaceuticals, surgical and device-based treatments already exist addressing cOHT associated with the most prevalent of the glaucoma types, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), they can be improved upon in terms of superior efficacy with reduced side-effects and with longer duration of activity. The linkage of disease pathology to certain genes via genome-wide associated studies are illuminating new approaches to finding novel treatment options for the aforementioned ocular disorders. Gene replacement, gene editing via CRISPR-Cas9, and the use of optogenetic technologies may replace traditional drug-based therapies and/or they may augment existing therapeutics for the treatment of cOHT and POAG in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najam A Sharif
- Eye-APC Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 169856, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX 77004, USA
- Imperial College of Science and Technology, St. Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Barone F, Amaral J, Bunea I, Farnoodian M, Gupta R, Gupta R, Baker D, Phillips MJ, Blanch RJ, Maminishkis A, Gamm DM, Bharti K. A versatile laser-induced porcine model of outer retinal and choroidal degeneration for preclinical testing. JCI Insight 2023; 8:157654. [PMID: 37288665 PMCID: PMC10393234 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.157654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 30 million people worldwide suffer from untreatable vision loss and blindness associated with childhood-onset and age-related eye diseases caused by photoreceptor (PR), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and choriocapillaris (CC) degeneration. Recent work suggests that RPE-based cell therapy may slow down vision loss in late stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a polygenic disease induced by RPE atrophy. However, accelerated development of effective cell therapies is hampered by the lack of large-animal models that allow testing safety and efficacy of clinical doses covering the human macula (20 mm2). We developed a versatile pig model to mimic different types and stages of retinal degeneration. Using an adjustable power micropulse laser, we generated varying degrees of RPE, PR, and CC damage and confirmed the damage by longitudinal analysis of clinically relevant outcomes, including analyses by adaptive optics and optical coherence tomography/angiography, along with automated image analysis. By imparting a tunable yet targeted damage to the porcine CC and visual streak - with a structure similar to the human macula - this model is optimal for testing cell and gene therapies for outer retinal diseases including AMD, retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt, and choroideremia. The amenability of this model to clinically relevant imaging outcomes will facilitate faster translation to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Amaral
- National Eye Institute (NEI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Irina Bunea
- National Eye Institute (NEI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Rohan Gupta
- National Eye Institute (NEI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rishabh Gupta
- National Eye Institute (NEI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Dara Baker
- National Eye Institute (NEI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - M Joseph Phillips
- McPherson Eye Research Institute and Waisman Center, and
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Richard J Blanch
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defense Medicine, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - David M Gamm
- McPherson Eye Research Institute and Waisman Center, and
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kapil Bharti
- National Eye Institute (NEI), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Liu X, Han S, Liu F, Yu S, Qin Y, Li J, Jia D, Gao P, Chen X, Tang Z, Liu M, Huang Y. Retinal degeneration in rpgra mutant zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1169941. [PMID: 37351277 PMCID: PMC10282147 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1169941] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Pathogenic mutations in RPGR ORF15, one of two major human RPGR isoforms, were responsible for most X-linked retinitis pigmentosa cases. Previous studies have shown that RPGR plays a critical role in ciliary protein transport. However, the precise mechanisms of disease triggered by RPGR ORF15 mutations have yet to be clearly defined. There are two homologous genes in zebrafish, rpgra and rpgrb. Zebrafish rpgra has a single transcript homologous to human RPGR ORF15; rpgrb has two major transcripts: rpgrb ex1-17 and rpgrb ORF15, similar to human RPGR ex1-19 and RPGR ORF15, respectively. rpgrb knockdown in zebrafish resulted in both abnormal development and increased cell death in the dysplastic retina. However, the impact of knocking down rpgra in zebrafish remains undetermined. Here, we constructed a rpgra mutant zebrafish model to investigate the retina defect and related molecular mechanism. Methods: we utilized transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) to generate a rpgra mutant zebrafish. Western blot was used to determine protein expression. RT-PCR was used to quantify gene transcription levels. The visual function of embryonic zebrafish was detected by electroretinography. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the pathological changes in the retina of mutant zebrafish and transmission electron microscope was employed to view subcellular structure of photoreceptor cells. Results: A homozygous rpgra mutant zebrafish with c.1675_1678delins21 mutation was successfully constructed. Despite the normal morphological development of the retina at 5 days post-fertilization, visual dysfunction was observed in the mutant zebrafish. Further histological and immunofluorescence assays indicated that rpgra mutant zebrafish retina photoreceptors progressively began to degenerate at 3-6 months. Additionally, the mislocalization of cone outer segment proteins (Opn1lw and Gnb3) and the accumulation of vacuole-like structures around the connecting cilium below the OSs were observed in mutant zebrafish. Furthermore, Rab8a, a key regulator of opsin-carrier vesicle trafficking, exhibited decreased expression and evident mislocalization in mutant zebrafish. Discussion: This study generated a novel rpgra mutant zebrafish model, which showed retinal degeneration. our data suggested Rpgra is necessary for the ciliary transport of cone-associated proteins, and further investigation is required to determine its function in rods. The rpgra mutant zebrafish constructed in this study may help us gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of retinal degeneration caused by RPGR ORF15 mutation and find some useful treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Sansure Biotech Inc., Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shanshan Han
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- The Institute of Infection and Inflammation, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shanshan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yayun Qin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jingzhen Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Danna Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Pan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhaohui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mugen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuwen Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Idzhilova OS, Kolotova DE, Smirnova GR, Abonakour A, Dolgikh DA, Petrovskaya LE, Kirpichnikov MP, Ostrovsky MA, Malyshev AY. Nonselective Expression of Short-Wavelength Cone Opsin Improves Learning in Mice with Retinal Degeneration in a Visually Guided Task. DOKLADY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES : PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE USSR, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTIONS 2023; 510:167-171. [PMID: 37582993 DOI: 10.1134/s0012496623700369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The study explored the potential of an animal opsin nonselectively expressed in various neuronal elements of the degenerative retina to restore the impaired visual function. A knockout murine model of inherited retinal dystrophy was used. Mice were injected intravitreally with either a virus carrying the gene of short-wavelength cone opsin associated with a reporter fluorescent protein or a control virus carrying the sequence of a modified fluorescent protein with enhanced membrane tropism. Viral transduction induced pronounced opsin expression in ganglion, bipolar, and horizontal retinal neurons. Behavioral testing included the visually guided task in the trapezoid Morris water maze and showed a partial recovery of the learning ability in the mice whose retinas had been transduced with cone opsin.
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Affiliation(s)
- O S Idzhilova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - D E Kolotova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - G R Smirnova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Abonakour
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Oblast, Russia
| | - D A Dolgikh
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - L E Petrovskaya
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - M P Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - M A Ostrovsky
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Yu Malyshev
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
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Goyal S, Singh K, Uppal A, Vanita V. A nonsense mutation in C8orf37 linked with retinitis pigmentosa, early macular degeneration, cataract, and myopia in an arRP family from North India. BMC Ophthalmol 2023; 23:210. [PMID: 37170250 PMCID: PMC10173570 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-02936-y] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed at identifying the underlying genetic defect in a consanguineous autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) (RP-1175) family having RP with early macular degeneration, cataract, and myopia. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the DNA of the proband, and variants observed were validated in the rest of the affected and unaffected family members by Sanger sequencing. Different bioinformatics tools were applied to access the pathogenicity of the observed variant. RESULTS A nonsense mutation i.e., c.555G > A (p.Trp185Ter) in C8orf37 in homozygous form, has been identified that segregated with the disease in the affected members. c.555G > A was absent in unaffected family members and in 107 ethnically matched controls, therefore ruling out its possibility of being a polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS Present study identifies a nonsense mutation (c.555G > A) at codon 185 in C8orf37 linked with arRP, early macular degeneration, posterior subcapsular cataract, and myopia. The identical mutation has previously been reported in a Pakistani family with isolated RP and in a Chinese family with RP and macular degeneration. This variable expressivity of the identified mutation c.555G > A in C8orf37 in the analyzed Indian family may be attributed to the presence of the modifier alleles. Also, Trp185 might be a mutation hotspot in Asian arRP patients and in the future, p.Trp185Ter in C8orf37 may be tested during initial screening in arRP cases especially belonging to a similar population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwali Goyal
- Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Kabir Singh
- Dr. Daljit Singh Eye Hospital, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Aashna Uppal
- Dr. Daljit Singh Eye Hospital, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Vanita Vanita
- Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India.
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Popova LT, Abuzaitoun RO, Fresco DM, Abalem MF, Andrews CA, Musch DC, Ehrlich JR, Jayasundera KT. Positive feedback loop between vision-related anxiety and self-reported visual difficulty. Ophthalmic Genet 2023:1-7. [PMID: 37140038 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2023.2208211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases typically experience progressive, irreversible vision loss resulting in low vision and blindness. As a result, these patients are at high risk for vision-related disability and psychological distress, including depression and anxiety. Historically, the relationship between self-reported visual difficulty (encompassing metrics of vision-related disability and quality of life, among others) and vision-related anxiety has been regarded as an association and not a causal relationship. As a result, there are limited interventions available that address vision-related anxiety and the psychological and behavioral components of self-reported visual difficulty. MATERIALS AND METHODS We applied the Bradford Hill criteria to evaluate the case for a bidirectional causal relationship between vision-related anxiety and self-reported visual difficulty. RESULTS There is sufficient evidence to satisfy all nine of the Bradford Hill criteria of causality (strength of association, consistency, biological gradient, temporality, experimental evidence, analogy, specificity, plausibility, and coherence) for the relationship between vision-related anxiety and self-reported visual difficulty. CONCLUSIONS The evidence suggests that there is a direct positive feedback loop-a bidirectional causal relationship-between vision-related anxiety and self-reported visual difficulty. More longitudinal research on the relationship between objectively-measured vision impairment, self-reported visual difficulty, and vision-related psychological distress is needed. Additionally, more investigation of potential interventions for vision-related anxiety and visual difficulty is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia T Popova
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rebhi O Abuzaitoun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - David M Fresco
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Maria Fernanda Abalem
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chris A Andrews
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - David C Musch
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Joshua R Ehrlich
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - K Thiran Jayasundera
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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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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Starr CR, Gorbatyuk MS. Posttranslational modifications of proteins in diseased retina. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1150220. [PMID: 37066080 PMCID: PMC10097899 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1150220] [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: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are known to constitute a key step in protein biosynthesis and in the regulation of protein functions. Recent breakthroughs in protein purification strategies and current proteome technologies make it possible to identify the proteomics of healthy and diseased retinas. Despite these advantages, the research field identifying sets of posttranslationally modified proteins (PTMomes) related to diseased retinas is significantly lagging, despite knowledge of the major retina PTMome being critical to drug development. In this review, we highlight current updates regarding the PTMomes in three retinal degenerative diseases-namely, diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). A literature search reveals the necessity to expedite investigations into essential PTMomes in the diseased retina and validate their physiological roles. This knowledge would accelerate the development of treatments for retinal degenerative disorders and the prevention of blindness in affected populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina S. Gorbatyuk
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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39
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Dong Y, Yan J, Yang M, Xu W, Hu Z, Paquet-Durand F, Jiao K. Inherited Retinal Degeneration: Towards the Development of a Combination Therapy Targeting Histone Deacetylase, Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase, and Calpain. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040581. [PMID: 37189329 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) represents a diverse group of gene mutation-induced blinding diseases. In IRD, the loss of photoreceptors is often connected to excessive activation of histone-deacetylase (HDAC), poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP), and calpain-type proteases (calpain). Moreover, the inhibition of either HDACs, PARPs, or calpains has previously shown promise in preventing photoreceptor cell death, although the relationship between these enzyme groups remains unclear. To explore this further, organotypic retinal explant cultures derived from wild-type mice and rd1 mice as a model for IRD were treated with different combinations of inhibitors specific for HDAC, PARP, and calpain. The outcomes were assessed using in situ activity assays for HDAC, PARP, and calpain, immunostaining for activated calpain-2, and the TUNEL assay for cell death detection. We confirmed that inhibition of either HDAC, PARP, or calpain reduced rd1 mouse photoreceptor degeneration, with the HDAC inhibitor Vorinostat (SAHA) being most effective. Calpain activity was reduced by inhibition of both HDAC and PARP whereas PARP activity was only reduced by HDAC inhibition. Unexpectedly, combined treatment with either PARP and calpain inhibitors or HDAC and calpain inhibitors did not produce synergistic rescue of photoreceptors. Together, these results indicate that in rd1 photoreceptors, HDAC, PARP, and calpain are part of the same degenerative pathway and are activated in a sequence that begins with HDAC and ends with calpain.
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40
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Guo CJ, Cao XL, Zhang YF, Yue KY, Han J, Yan H, Han H, Zheng MH. Exosome-mediated inhibition of microRNA-449a promotes the amplification of mouse retinal progenitor cells and enhances their transplantation in retinal degeneration mouse models. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 31:763-778. [PMID: 36937621 PMCID: PMC10020531 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Inherited and age-related retinal degenerations are the commonest causes of blindness without effective treatments. Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), which have the multipotency to differentiate into various retinal cell types, are regarded as a promising source of cell transplantation therapy for retinal degenerative diseases. However, the self-limited expansion of RPCs causes difficulty in cell source supply and restrict its clinical treatment. In this work, we found that inhibition of microRNA-449a (miR-449a) in RPCs can promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of RPCs, partially through upregulating Notch signaling. Further optimization of transduction miR-449a inhibitor into RPCs by endothelial cell-derived exosomes can promote the survival of RPCs transplanted in vivo and reduce cell apoptosis in retinal degeneration mouse models. In summary, these studies have shown that exosome-miR-449a inhibitor can effectively promote the expansion of RPCs in vitro and enhance transplanted RPCs survival in vivo, which might provide a novel intervention strategy for retinal degenerations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Jun Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710038, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiu Li Cao
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Fei Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kang Yi Yue
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hong Yan
- Shaanxi Eye Hospital, Xi’an People’s Hospital (Xi’an Fourth Hospital), Affiliated Guangren Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hua Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
- Corresponding author: Hua Han, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Chang-Le Xi Street #169, Xi’an 710032, China.
| | - Min Hua Zheng
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
- Corresponding author: Min-Hua Zheng, Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China.
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41
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Frederick CE, Zenisek D. Ribbon Synapses and Retinal Disease: Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5090. [PMID: 36982165 PMCID: PMC10049380 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic ribbons are presynaptic protein complexes that are believed to be important for the transmission of sensory information in the visual system. Ribbons are selectively associated with those synapses where graded changes in membrane potential drive continuous neurotransmitter release. Defective synaptic transmission can arise as a result of the mutagenesis of a single ribbon component. Visual diseases that stem from malfunctions in the presynaptic molecular machinery of ribbon synapses in the retina are rare. In this review, we provide an overview of synaptopathies that give rise to retinal malfunction and our present understanding of the mechanisms that underlie their pathogenesis and discuss muscular dystrophies that exhibit ribbon synapse involvement in the pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Zenisek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, P.O. Box 208026, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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42
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Tay HG, Andre H, Chrysostomou V, Adusumalli S, Guo J, Ren X, Tan WS, Tor JE, Moreno-Moral A, Plastino F, Bartuma H, Cai Z, Tun SBB, Barathi VA, Siew Wei GT, Grenci G, Chong LY, Holmgren A, Kvanta A, Crowston JG, Petretto E, Tryggvason K. Photoreceptor laminin drives differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to photoreceptor progenitors that partially restore retina function. Mol Ther 2023; 31:825-846. [PMID: 36638800 PMCID: PMC10014235 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Blindness caused by advanced stages of inherited retinal diseases and age-related macular degeneration are characterized by photoreceptor loss. Cell therapy involving replacement with functional photoreceptor-like cells generated from human pluripotent stem cells holds great promise. Here, we generated a human recombinant retina-specific laminin isoform, LN523, and demonstrated the role in promoting the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into photoreceptor progenitors. This chemically defined and xenogen-free method enables reproducible production of photoreceptor progenitors within 32 days. We observed that the transplantation into rd10 mice were able to protect the host photoreceptor outer nuclear layer (ONL) up to 2 weeks post transplantation as measured by full-field electroretinogram. At 4 weeks post transplantation, the engrafted cells were found to survive, mature, and associate with the host's rod bipolar cells. Visual behavioral assessment using the water maze swimming test demonstrated visual improvement in the cell-transplanted rodents. At 20 weeks post transplantation, the maturing engrafted cells were able to replace the loss of host ONL by extensive association with host bipolar cells and synapses. Post-transplanted rabbit model also provided congruent evidence for synaptic connectivity with the degenerated host retina. The results may pave the way for the development of stem cell-based therapeutics for retina degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwee Goon Tay
- Centre for Vision Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| | - Helder Andre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vicki Chrysostomou
- Centre for Vision Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | - Jing Guo
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Xiaoyuan Ren
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wei Sheng Tan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jia En Tor
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Aida Moreno-Moral
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Flavia Plastino
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hammurabi Bartuma
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zuhua Cai
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Sai Bo Bo Tun
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - Veluchamy Amutha Barathi
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gavin Tan Siew Wei
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - Gianluca Grenci
- Mechanobiology Institute (MBI) and Department of Biomedical Engineering, NUS, Singapore
| | - Li Yen Chong
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Arne Holmgren
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Kvanta
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan Guy Crowston
- Centre for Vision Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
| | - Enrico Petretto
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Karl Tryggvason
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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43
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Peter VG, Kaminska K, Santos C, Quinodoz M, Cancellieri F, Cisarova K, Pescini Gobert R, Rodrigues R, Custódio S, Paris LP, Sousa AB, Coutinho Santos L, Rivolta C. The first genetic landscape of inherited retinal dystrophies in Portuguese patients identifies recurrent homozygous mutations as a frequent cause of pathogenesis. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad043. [PMID: 36909829 PMCID: PMC10003751 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a group of ocular conditions characterized by an elevated genetic and clinical heterogeneity. They are transmitted almost invariantly as monogenic traits. However, with more than 280 disease genes identified so far, association of clinical phenotypes with genotypes can be very challenging, and molecular diagnosis is essential for genetic counseling and correct management of the disease. In addition, the prevalence and the assortment of IRD mutations are often population-specific. In this work, we examined 230 families from Portugal, with individuals suffering from a variety of IRD diagnostic classes (270 subjects in total). Overall, we identified 157 unique mutations (34 previously unreported) in 57 distinct genes, with a diagnostic rate of 76%. The IRD mutational landscape was, to some extent, different from those reported in other European populations, including Spanish cohorts. For instance, the EYS gene appeared to be the most frequently mutated, with a prevalence of 10% among all IRD cases. This was, in part, due to the presence of a recurrent and seemingly founder mutation involving the deletion of exons 13 and 14 of this gene. Moreover, our analysis highlighted that as many as 51% of our cases had mutations in a homozygous state. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing a cross-sectional genotype-phenotype landscape of IRDs in Portugal. Our data reveal a rather unique distribution of mutations, possibly shaped by a small number of rare ancestral events that have now become prevalent alleles in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie G Peter
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), Basel 4031, Switzerland.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland.,Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern 3010, Switzerland
| | - Karolina Kaminska
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), Basel 4031, Switzerland.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Santos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Instituto de Oftalmologia Dr Gama Pinto (IOGP), Lisbon 1169-019, Portugal.,iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon 1169-056, Portugal
| | - Mathieu Quinodoz
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), Basel 4031, Switzerland.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland.,Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Francesca Cancellieri
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), Basel 4031, Switzerland.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Katarina Cisarova
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | | | - Raquel Rodrigues
- Department of Medical Genetics, Hospital Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon 1649-035, Portugal
| | - Sónia Custódio
- Department of Medical Genetics, Hospital Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon 1649-035, Portugal
| | - Liliana P Paris
- Department of Ophthalmology, Instituto de Oftalmologia Dr Gama Pinto (IOGP), Lisbon 1169-019, Portugal
| | - Ana Berta Sousa
- Department of Medical Genetics, Hospital Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon 1649-035, Portugal.,Laboratory of Basic Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Luisa Coutinho Santos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Instituto de Oftalmologia Dr Gama Pinto (IOGP), Lisbon 1169-019, Portugal
| | - Carlo Rivolta
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), Basel 4031, Switzerland.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland.,Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
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44
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Ben Yacoub T, Wohlschlegel J, Sahel JA, Zeitz C, Audo I. [CRISPR/Cas9: From research to therapeutic application]. J Fr Ophtalmol 2023; 46:398-407. [PMID: 36759244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
For several decades, genome engineering has raised interest among many researchers and physicians in the study of genetic disorders and their treatments. Compared to its predecessors, zinc-finger nucleases (ZFN) and transcription activator-like effectors (TALEN), clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) is currently the most efficient molecular tool for genome editing. This system, originally identified as a bacterial adaptive immune system, is capable of cutting and modifying any gene of a large number of living organisms. Numerous trials using this technology are being developed to provide effective treatment for several diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular and ophthalmic disorders. In research, this technology is increasingly used for genetic disease modelling, providing meaningful models of relevant studies as well as a better understanding of underlying pathological mechanisms. Many molecular tools are now available to put this technique into practice in laboratories, and despite the technical and ethical issues raised by manipulation of the genome, CRIPSR/Cas9 offers a new breath of hope for therapeutic research around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ben Yacoub
- Sorbonne université, Inserm, CNRS, institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - J Wohlschlegel
- Sorbonne université, Inserm, CNRS, institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - J-A Sahel
- Sorbonne université, Inserm, CNRS, institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France; CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Inserm-DGOS CIC 1423, 75012 Paris, France; Department of ophthalmology, fondation ophtalmologique Adolphe De Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France; Department of ophthalmology, the university of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh PA 15213, United States; Académie des sciences, institut de France, 75006 Paris, France
| | - C Zeitz
- Sorbonne université, Inserm, CNRS, institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - I Audo
- Sorbonne université, Inserm, CNRS, institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France; CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Inserm-DGOS CIC 1423, 75012 Paris, France; Institute of ophthalmology, university College of London, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom
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John MC, Quinn J, Hu ML, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J, Xue K. Gene-agnostic therapeutic approaches for inherited retinal degenerations. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1068185. [PMID: 36710928 PMCID: PMC9881597 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1068185] [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: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are associated with mutations in over 250 genes and represent a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. While gene augmentation or gene editing therapies could address the underlying genetic mutations in a small subset of patients, their utility remains limited by the great genetic heterogeneity of IRDs and the costs of developing individualised therapies. Gene-agnostic therapeutic approaches target common pathogenic pathways that drive retinal degeneration or provide functional rescue of vision independent of the genetic cause, thus offering potential clinical benefits to all IRD patients. Here, we review the key gene-agnostic approaches, including retinal cell reprogramming and replacement, neurotrophic support, immune modulation and optogenetics. The relative benefits and limitations of these strategies and the timing of clinical interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C. John
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joel Quinn
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Monica L. Hu
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kanmin Xue
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Karali M, Testa F, Di Iorio V, Torella A, Zeuli R, Scarpato M, Romano F, Onore ME, Pizzo M, Melillo P, Brunetti-Pierri R, Passerini I, Pelo E, Cremers FPM, Esposito G, Nigro V, Simonelli F, Banfi S. Genetic epidemiology of inherited retinal diseases in a large patient cohort followed at a single center in Italy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20815. [PMID: 36460718 PMCID: PMC9718770 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24636-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are the leading cause of vision loss in the working-age population. We performed a retrospective epidemiological study to determine the genetic basis of IRDs in a large Italian cohort (n = 2790) followed at a single referral center. We provided, mainly by next generation sequencing, potentially conclusive molecular diagnosis for 2036 patients (from 1683 unrelated families). We identified a total of 1319 causative sequence variations in 132 genes, including 353 novel variants, and 866 possibly actionable genotypes for therapeutic approaches. ABCA4 was the most frequently mutated gene (n = 535; 26.3% of solved cases), followed by USH2A (n = 228; 11.2%) and RPGR (n = 102; 5.01%). The other 129 genes had a lower contribution to IRD pathogenesis (e.g. CHM 3.5%, RHO 3.5%; MYO7A 3.4%; CRB1 2.7%; RPE65 2%, RP1 1.8%; GUCY2D 1.7%). Seventy-eight genes were mutated in five patients or less. Mitochondrial DNA variants were responsible for 2.1% of cases. Our analysis confirms the complex genetic etiology of IRDs and reveals the high prevalence of ABCA4 and USH2A mutations. This study also uncovers genetic associations with a spectrum of clinical subgroups and highlights a valuable number of cases potentially eligible for clinical trials and, ultimately, for molecular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianthi Karali
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy ,grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Testa
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Iorio
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy ,grid.410439.b0000 0004 1758 1171Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Roberta Zeuli
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Margherita Scarpato
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Romano
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Onore
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Pizzo
- grid.410439.b0000 0004 1758 1171Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Paolo Melillo
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Brunetti-Pierri
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Passerini
- grid.24704.350000 0004 1759 9494Department of Genetic Diagnosis, Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pelo
- grid.24704.350000 0004 1759 9494Department of Genetic Diagnosis, Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Frans P. M. Cremers
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriella Esposito
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy ,CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy ,grid.410439.b0000 0004 1758 1171Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania ’Luigi Vanvitelli’, Via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy ,grid.410439.b0000 0004 1758 1171Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
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Liu X, Jia R, Meng X, Wang L, Yang L. Analysis of RPGR gene mutations in 41 Chinese families affected by X-linked inherited retinal dystrophy. Front Genet 2022; 13:999695. [PMID: 36276946 PMCID: PMC9582779 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.999695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This study analyzed the phenotypes and genotypes of 41 Chinese families with inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) and RPGR gene mutations.Methods: This retrospective analysis evaluated a cohort of 41 patients who were subjected to a specific Hereditary Eye Disease Enrichment Panel (HEDEP) analysis. All (likely) pathogenic variants were determined by Sanger sequencing, and co-segregation analyses were performed on the available family members. All cases were subjected to Sanger sequencing for RPGR open reading frame 15 (ORF15) mutations.Results: A total of 41 probands from different families with a clinical diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa (RP; 34 cases) and cone-rod dystrophy (CORD; 7 cases) were included in this cohort. According to clinical information, 2, 18, and 21 cases were first assigned as autosomal dominant (AD), sporadic, and X-linked (XL) inheritance, respectively. Several cases of affected females who presented with a male phenotype have been described, posing challenges at diagnosis related to the apparent family history of AD. Mutations were located in RPGR exons or introns 1–14 and in ORF15 of 12 of 41 (29.3%) and 29 of 41 (70.7%) subjects, respectively. Thirty-four (likely) pathogenic mutations were identified. Frameshifts were the most frequently observed variants, followed by nonsense, splice, and missense mutations. Herein, a detailed description of four RP patients carrying RPGR intronic mutations is reported, and in vitro splice assays were performed to confirm the pathogenicity of these intronic mutations.Conclusion: Our findings provide useful insights for the genetic and clinical counseling of patients with XL IRD, which will be useful for ongoing and future gene therapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhen Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ruixuan Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Meng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Likun Wang
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking-Tsinghua Center of Life Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Likun Wang, ; Liping Yang,
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Likun Wang, ; Liping Yang,
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Suh S, Choi EH, Raguram A, Liu DR, Palczewski K. Precision genome editing in the eye. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210104119. [PMID: 36122230 PMCID: PMC9522375 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210104119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing technologies could, in principle, be used to treat a wide variety of inherited diseases, including genetic disorders of vision. Programmable CRISPR-Cas nucleases are effective tools for gene disruption, but they are poorly suited for precisely correcting pathogenic mutations in most therapeutic settings. Recently developed precision genome editing agents, including base editors and prime editors, have enabled precise gene correction and disease rescue in multiple preclinical models of genetic disorders. Additionally, new delivery technologies that transiently deliver precision genome editing agents in vivo offer minimized off-target editing and improved safety profiles. These improvements to precision genome editing and delivery technologies are expected to revolutionize the treatment of genetic disorders of vision and other diseases. In this Perspective, we describe current preclinical and clinical genome editing approaches for treating inherited retinal degenerative diseases, and we discuss important considerations that should be addressed as these approaches are translated into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susie Suh
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Elliot H. Choi
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - David R. Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
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Martínez-Gil N, Maneu V, Kutsyr O, Fernández-Sánchez L, Sánchez-Sáez X, Sánchez-Castillo C, Campello L, Lax P, Pinilla I, Cuenca N. Cellular and molecular alterations in neurons and glial cells in inherited retinal degeneration. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:984052. [PMID: 36225228 PMCID: PMC9548552 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.984052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple gene mutations have been associated with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). Despite the spectrum of phenotypes caused by the distinct mutations, IRDs display common physiopathology features. Cell death is accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. The vertebrate retina has several attributes that make this tissue vulnerable to oxidative and nitrosative imbalance. The high energy demands and active metabolism in retinal cells, as well as their continuous exposure to high oxygen levels and light-induced stress, reveal the importance of tightly regulated homeostatic processes to maintain retinal function, which are compromised in pathological conditions. In addition, the subsequent microglial activation and gliosis, which triggers the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, trophic factors, and other molecules, further worsen the degenerative process. As the disease evolves, retinal cells change their morphology and function. In disease stages where photoreceptors are lost, the remaining neurons of the retina to preserve their function seek out for new synaptic partners, which leads to a cascade of morphological alterations in retinal cells that results in a complete remodeling of the tissue. In this review, we describe important molecular and morphological changes in retinal cells that occur in response to oxidative stress and the inflammatory processes underlying IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Martínez-Gil
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Victoria Maneu
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Oksana Kutsyr
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | | | - Xavier Sánchez-Sáez
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carla Sánchez-Castillo
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Campello
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Pedro Lax
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Pinilla
- Aragón Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lozano Blesa University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Surgery, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Isabel Pinilla,
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Institute Ramón Margalef, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- *Correspondence: Nicolás Cuenca,
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50
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Cetkovic A, Bellapianta A, Irimia-Vladu M, Hofinger J, Yumusak C, Corna A, Scharber MC, Zeck G, Sariciftci NS, Bolz M, Salti A. In Vitro Cytotoxicity of D18 and Y6 as Potential Organic Photovoltaic Materials for Retinal Prostheses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8666. [PMID: 35955800 PMCID: PMC9369111 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Millions of people worldwide are diagnosed with retinal dystrophies such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. A retinal prosthesis using organic photovoltaic (OPV) semiconductors is a promising therapeutic device to restore vision to patients at the late onset of the disease. However, an appropriate cytotoxicity approach has to be employed on the OPV materials before using them as retinal implants. In this study, we followed ISO standards to assess the cytotoxicity of D18, Y6, PFN-Br and PDIN individually, and as mixtures of D18/Y6, D18/Y6/PFN-Br and D18/Y6/PDIN. These materials were proven for their high performance as organic solar cells. Human RPE cells were put in direct and indirect contact with these materials to analyze their cytotoxicity by the MTT assay, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and measurements of cell morphology and proliferation by immunofluorescence. We also assessed electrophysiological recordings on mouse retinal explants via microelectrode arrays (MEAs) coated with D18/Y6. In contrast to PFN-Br and PDIN, all in vitro experiments show no cytotoxicity of D18 and Y6 alone or as a D18/Y6 mixture. We conclude that D18/Y6 is safe to be subsequently investigated as a retinal prosthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cetkovic
- Center for Medical Research, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Alessandro Bellapianta
- Center for Medical Research, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Mihai Irimia-Vladu
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Jakob Hofinger
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Cigdem Yumusak
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Andrea Corna
- Institute of Biomedical Electronics, Technische Universität (TU) Wien, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Clark Scharber
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Günther Zeck
- Institute of Biomedical Electronics, Technische Universität (TU) Wien, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Niyazi Serdar Sariciftci
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Matthias Bolz
- Center for Medical Research, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Ahmad Salti
- Center for Medical Research, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
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