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Kurzawa-Akanbi M, Tzoumas N, Corral-Serrano JC, Guarascio R, Steel DH, Cheetham ME, Armstrong L, Lako M. Pluripotent stem cell-derived models of retinal disease: Elucidating pathogenesis, evaluating novel treatments, and estimating toxicity. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101248. [PMID: 38369182 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Blindness poses a growing global challenge, with approximately 26% of cases attributed to degenerative retinal diseases. While gene therapy, optogenetic tools, photosensitive switches, and retinal prostheses offer hope for vision restoration, these high-cost therapies will benefit few patients. Understanding retinal diseases is therefore key to advance effective treatments, requiring in vitro models replicating pathology and allowing quantitative assessments for drug discovery. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) provide a unique solution given their limitless supply and ability to differentiate into light-responsive retinal tissues encompassing all cell types. This review focuses on the history and current state of photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell generation from PSCs. We explore the applications of this technology in disease modelling, experimental therapy testing, biomarker identification, and toxicity studies. We consider challenges in scalability, standardisation, and reproducibility, and stress the importance of incorporating vasculature and immune cells into retinal organoids. We advocate for high-throughput automation in data acquisition and analyses and underscore the value of advanced micro-physiological systems that fully capture the interactions between the neural retina, RPE, and choriocapillaris.
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Yang P, Mustafi D, Pepple KL. Immunology of Retinitis Pigmentosa and Gene Therapy-Associated Uveitis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041305. [PMID: 37037600 PMCID: PMC10562523 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041305] [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: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
The underlying immune state of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has been an emerging area of interest, wherein the consequences have never been greater given the widespread recognition of gene therapy-associated uveitis (GTU) in gene therapy clinical trials. Whereas some evidence suggests that the adaptive immune system may play a role, the majority of studies indicate that the innate immune system is likely the primary driver of neuroinflammation in RP. During retinal degeneration, discrete mechanisms activate resident microglia and promote infiltrating macrophages that can either be protective or detrimental to photoreceptor cell death. This persistent stimulation of innate immunity, overlaid by the introduction of viral antigens as part of gene therapy, has the potential to trigger a complex microglia/macrophage-driven proinflammatory state. A better understanding of the immune pathophysiology in IRD and GTU will be necessary to improve the success of developing novel treatments for IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Yang
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregan 97239, USA
| | - Debarshi Mustafi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Roger and Karalis Johnson Retina Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Kathryn L Pepple
- Department of Ophthalmology, Roger and Karalis Johnson Retina Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
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3
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Liang Y, Sun X, Duan C, Tang S, Chen J. Application of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and organoids in inherited retinal diseases. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:340. [PMID: 38012786 PMCID: PMC10683306 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03564-5] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) can induce severe sight-threatening retinal degeneration and impose a considerable economic burden on patients and society, making efforts to cure blindness imperative. Transgenic animals mimicking human genetic diseases have long been used as a primary research tool to decipher the underlying pathogenesis, but there are still some obvious limitations. As an alternative strategy, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), particularly three-dimensional (3D) organoid technology, are considered a promising platform for modeling different forms of IRDs, including retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, X-linked recessive retinoschisis, Batten disease, achromatopsia, and best vitelliform macular dystrophy. Here, this paper focuses on the status of patient-derived iPSCs and organoids in IRDs in recent years concerning disease modeling and therapeutic exploration, along with potential challenges for translating laboratory research to clinical application. Finally, the importance of human iPSCs and organoids in combination with emerging technologies such as multi-omics integration analysis, 3D bioprinting, or microfluidic chip platform are highlighted. Patient-derived retinal organoids may be a preferred choice for more accurately uncovering the mechanisms of human retinal diseases and will contribute to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Liang
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Xihao Sun
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Chunwen Duan
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, 410015, China
| | - Shibo Tang
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China.
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, 410015, China.
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China.
- Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, 410015, China.
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Chen X, Shi C, He M, Xiong S, Xia X. Endoplasmic reticulum stress: molecular mechanism and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:352. [PMID: 37709773 PMCID: PMC10502142 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01570-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions as a quality-control organelle for protein homeostasis, or "proteostasis". The protein quality control systems involve ER-associated degradation, protein chaperons, and autophagy. ER stress is activated when proteostasis is broken with an accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins in the ER. ER stress activates an adaptive unfolded protein response to restore proteostasis by initiating protein kinase R-like ER kinase, activating transcription factor 6, and inositol requiring enzyme 1. ER stress is multifaceted, and acts on aspects at the epigenetic level, including transcription and protein processing. Accumulated data indicates its key role in protein homeostasis and other diverse functions involved in various ocular diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, achromatopsia, cataracts, ocular tumors, ocular surface diseases, and myopia. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms underlying the aforementioned ocular diseases from an ER stress perspective. Drugs (chemicals, neurotrophic factors, and nanoparticles), gene therapy, and stem cell therapy are used to treat ocular diseases by alleviating ER stress. We delineate the advancement of therapy targeting ER stress to provide new treatment strategies for ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyi Chen
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chaoran Shi
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meihui He
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Siqi Xiong
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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5
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Daich Varela M, Georgiadis A, Michaelides M. Genetic treatment for autosomal dominant inherited retinal dystrophies: approaches, challenges and targeted genotypes. Br J Ophthalmol 2023; 107:1223-1230. [PMID: 36038193 DOI: 10.1136/bjo-2022-321903] [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: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) have been in the front line of gene therapy development for the last decade, providing a useful platform to test novel therapeutic approaches. More than 40 clinical trials have been completed or are ongoing, tackling autosomal recessive and X-linked conditions, mostly through adeno-associated viral vector delivery of a normal copy of the disease-causing gene. However, only recently has autosomal dominant (ad) disease been targeted, with the commencement of a trial for rhodopsin (RHO)-associated retinitis pigmentosa (RP), implementing antisense oligonucleotide (AON) therapy, with promising preliminary results (NCT04123626).Autosomal dominant RP represents 15%-25% of all RP, with RHO accounting for 20%-30% of these cases. Autosomal dominant macular and cone-rod dystrophies (MD/CORD) correspond to approximately 7.5% of all IRDs, and approximately 35% of all MD/CORD cases, with the main causative gene being BEST1 Autosomal dominant IRDs are not only less frequent than recessive, but also tend to be less severe and have later onset; for example, an individual with RHO-adRP would typically become severely visually impaired at an age 2-3 times older than in X-linked RPGR-RP.Gain-of-function and dominant negative aetiologies are frequently seen in the prevalent adRP genes RHO, RP1 and PRPF31 among others, which would not be effectively addressed by gene supplementation alone and need creative, novel approaches. Zinc fingers, RNA interference, AON, translational read-through therapy, and gene editing by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas are some of the strategies that are currently under investigation and will be discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malena Daich Varela
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Michel Michaelides
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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Watson A, Lako M. Retinal organoids provide unique insights into molecular signatures of inherited retinal disease throughout retinogenesis. J Anat 2023; 243:186-203. [PMID: 36177499 PMCID: PMC10335378 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13768] [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: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The demand for induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived retinal organoid and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) models for the modelling of inherited retinopathies has increased significantly in the last decade. These models are comparable with foetal retinas up until the later stages of retinogenesis, expressing all of the key neuronal markers necessary for retinal function. These models have proven to be invaluable in the understanding of retinogenesis, particular in the context of patient-specific diseases. Inherited retinopathies are infamously described as clinically and phenotypically heterogeneous, such that developing gene/mutation-specific animal models in each instance of retinal disease is not financially or ethically feasible. Further to this, many animal models are insufficient in the study of disease pathogenesis due to anatomical differences and failure to recapitulate human disease phenotypes. In contrast, iPSC-derived retinal models provide a high throughput platform which is physiologically relevant for studying human health and disease. They also serve as a platform for drug screening, gene therapy approaches and in vitro toxicology of novel therapeutics in pre-clinical studies. One unique characteristic of stem cell-derived retinal models is the ability to mimic in vivo retinogenesis, providing unparalleled insights into the effects of pathogenic mutations in cells of the developing retina, in a highly accessible way. This review aims to give the reader an overview of iPSC-derived retinal organoids and/or RPE in the context of disease modelling of several inherited retinopathies including Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt disease and Retinoblastoma. We describe the ability of each model to recapitulate in vivo disease phenotypes, validate previous findings from animal models and identify novel pathomechanisms that underpin individual IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avril Watson
- Biosciences InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Biosciences InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
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Krausová M, Kreplová M, Banik P, Cvačková Z, Kubovčiak J, Modrák M, Zudová D, Lindovský J, Kubik-Zahorodna A, Pálková M, Kolář M, Procházka J, Sedláček R, Staněk D. Retinitis pigmentosa-associated mutations in mouse Prpf8 cause misexpression of circRNAs and degeneration of cerebellar granule cells. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201855. [PMID: 37019475 PMCID: PMC10078954 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A subset of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) carry mutations in several spliceosomal components including the PRPF8 protein. Here, we established two alleles of murine Prpf8 that genocopy or mimic aberrant PRPF8 found in RP patients-the substitution p.Tyr2334Asn and an extended protein variant p.Glu2331ValfsX15. Homozygous mice expressing the aberrant Prpf8 variants developed within the first 2 mo progressive atrophy of the cerebellum because of extensive granule cell loss, whereas other cerebellar cells remained unaffected. We further show that a subset of circRNAs were deregulated in the cerebellum of both Prpf8-RP mouse strains. To identify potential risk factors that sensitize the cerebellum for Prpf8 mutations, we monitored the expression of several splicing proteins during the first 8 wk. We observed down-regulation of all selected splicing proteins in the WT cerebellum, which coincided with neurodegeneration onset. The decrease in splicing protein expression was further pronounced in mouse strains expressing mutated Prpf8. Collectively, we propose a model where physiological reduction in spliceosomal components during postnatal tissue maturation sensitizes cells to the expression of aberrant Prpf8 and the subsequent deregulation of circRNAs triggers neuronal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Krausová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Kreplová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Poulami Banik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Cvačková
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kubovčiak
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Modrák
- Core Facility Bioinformatics, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dagmar Zudová
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Lindovský
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Agnieszka Kubik-Zahorodna
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Marcela Pálková
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kolář
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Procházka
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Radislav Sedláček
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - David Staněk
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Lisbjerg K, Grønskov K, Bertelsen M, Møller LB, Kessel L. Genetic Modifiers of Non-Penetrance and RNA Expression Levels in PRPF31-Associated Retinitis Pigmentosa in a Danish Cohort. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:435. [PMID: 36833363 PMCID: PMC9956082 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background/aims: To examine potential genetic modifiers of disease penetrance in PRPF31-associated retinitis pigmentosa 11 (RP11). (2) Methods: Blood samples from individuals (n = 37) with PRPF31 variants believed to be disease-causing were used for molecular genetic testing and, in some cases (n = 23), also for mRNA expression analyses. Medical charts were used to establish if individuals were symptomatic (RP) or asymptomatic non-penetrant carriers (NPC). RNA expression levels of PRPF31 and CNOT3 were measured on peripheral whole blood using quantitative real-time PCR normalized to GAPDH. Copy number variation of minisatellite repeat element 1 (MSR1) was performed with DNA fragment analysis. (3) Results: mRNA expression analyses on 22 individuals (17 with RP and 5 non-penetrant carriers) revealed no statistically significant differences in PRPF31 or CNOT3 mRNA expression levels between individuals with RP and non-penetrant carriers. Among 37 individuals, we found that all three carriers of a 4-copy MSR1 sequence on their wild-type (WT) allele were non-penetrant carriers. However, copy number variation of MSR1 is not the sole determinant factor of non-penetrance, as not all non-penetrant carriers carried a 4-copy WT allele. A 4-copy MSR1 mutant allele was not associated with non-penetrance. (4) Conclusions: In this Danish cohort, a 4-copy MSR1 WT allele was associated with non-penetrance of retinitis pigmentosa caused by PRPF31 variants. The level of PRPF31 mRNA expression in peripheral whole blood was not a useful indicator of disease status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Lisbjerg
- Department of Ophthalmology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Karen Grønskov
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Bertelsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lisbeth Birk Møller
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Line Kessel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Gene augmentation prevents retinal degeneration in a CRISPR/Cas9-based mouse model of PRPF31 retinitis pigmentosa. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7695. [PMID: 36509783 PMCID: PMC9744804 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35361-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in PRPF31 cause autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, an untreatable form of blindness. Gene therapy is a promising treatment for PRPF31-retinitis pigmentosa, however, there are currently no suitable animal models in which to develop AAV-mediated gene augmentation. Here we establish Prpf31 mutant mouse models using AAV-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 knockout, and characterize the resulting retinal degeneration phenotype. Mouse models with early-onset morphological and functional impairments like those in patients were established, providing new platforms in which to investigate pathogenetic mechanisms and develop therapeutic methods. AAV-mediated PRPF31 gene augmentation restored the retinal structure and function in a rapidly degenerating mouse model, demonstrating the first in vivo proof-of-concept for AAV-mediated gene therapy to treat PRPF31-retinitis pigmentosa. AAV-CRISPR/Cas9-PRPF31 knockout constructs also mediated efficient PRPF31 knockout in human and non-human primate retinal explants, laying a foundation for establishing non-human primate models using the method developed here.
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Ali-Nasser T, Zayit-Soudry S, Banin E, Sharon D, Ben-Yosef T. Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa with incomplete penetrance due to an intronic mutation of the PRPF31 gene. Mol Vis 2022; 28:359-368. [PMID: 36338669 PMCID: PMC9603903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To identify the molecular mechanisms of the development of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) with incomplete penetrance in an Israeli Muslim Arab family. Methods Two patients with adRP underwent a detailed ophthalmic evaluation, including funduscopic examination, visual field testing, optical coherence tomography, and electroretinography. Genetic analysis was performed using a combination of whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the identified intronic variant was evaluated in silico using several web-based tools, in vitro using a minigene-based assay, and in vivo using reverse transcription PCR analysis of lymphocyte-derived RNA. The relative abundance of alternatively spliced transcripts was evaluated using amplicon-based next-generation sequencing. The relative expression levels of PRPF31 and CNOT3 were measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. Results The two patients recruited in this study had childhood-onset RP, with night blindness as the initial symptom, followed by concentric restriction of the visual field. The funduscopic findings included narrowed retinal blood vessels and peripheral bone spicule pigmentation. By the third decade of life, the full-field electroretinography findings had been remarkably attenuated. In these patients, we identified a novel heterozygous intronic variant at position +5 of PRPF31 intron 11 (c.1146+5G>T). The same variant was also detected in one asymptomatic family member. Through in silico analysis, the variant was predicted to alter the splicing of intron 11. An in vitro splicing assay and a reverse transcription PCR analysis of lymphocyte-derived RNA revealed that the mutant allele yielded mainly a shorter transcript in which exon 11 was skipped. The skipping of exon 11 was expected to cause a frameshift and an aberrant truncated protein (p.Tyr359Serfs*29). The qPCR analysis revealed reduced PRPF31 expression levels in the mutation carriers, without a significant difference between the affected patient and his asymptomatic brother. We evaluated several factors that have been suggested to correlate with non-penetrance of PRPF31 mutations, including the number of cis-acting MSR1 elements adjacent to the PRPF31 core promoter, CNOT3 expression level, and CNOT3 rs4806718 single-nucleotide polymorphism. None of these factors correlated with non-penetrance in the family in this study. Conclusions We report a novel intronic mutation in PRPF31 underlying adRP. This report expands the spectrum of pathogenic mutations in PRPF31 and further demonstrates the importance of intronic mutations. Moreover, it demonstrates the phenomenon of incomplete penetrance previously associated with PRPF31 mutations. The fact that the non-penetrance in the family in this study could not be explained by any of the known mechanisms suggests the possible contribution of a novel modifier of PRPF31 penetrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahleel Ali-Nasser
- Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shiri Zayit-Soudry
- Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel,Department of Ophthalmology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel,Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eyal Banin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dror Sharon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tamar Ben-Yosef
- Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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11
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Modeling PRPF31 retinitis pigmentosa using retinal pigment epithelium and organoids combined with gene augmentation rescue. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:39. [PMID: 35974011 PMCID: PMC9381579 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00235-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the ubiquitously expressed pre-mRNA processing factor (PRPF) 31 gene, one of the most common causes of dominant form of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), lead to a retina-specific phenotype. It is uncertain which retinal cell types are affected and animal models do not clearly present the RP phenotype observed in PRPF31 patients. Retinal organoids and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide potential opportunities for studying human PRPF31-related RP. We demonstrate here that RPE cells carrying PRPF31 mutations present important morphological and functional changes and that PRPF31-mutated retinal organoids recapitulate the human RP phenotype, with a rod photoreceptor cell death followed by a loss of cones. The low level of PRPF31 expression may explain the defective phenotypes of PRPF31-mutated RPE and photoreceptor cells, which were not observed in cells derived from asymptomatic patients or after correction of the pathogenic mutation by CRISPR/Cas9. Transcriptome profiles revealed differentially expressed and mis-spliced genes belonging to pathways in line with the observed defective phenotypes. The rescue of RPE and photoreceptor defective phenotypes by PRPF31 gene augmentation provide the proof of concept for future therapeutic strategies.
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12
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Liang Y, Tan F, Sun X, Cui Z, Gu J, Mao S, Chan HF, Tang S, Chen J. Aberrant Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells of a Retinitis Pigmentosa Patient with the PRPF6 Mutation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169049. [PMID: 36012314 PMCID: PMC9409096 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPFs) are vital components of the spliceosome and are involved in the physiological process necessary for pre-mRNA splicing to mature mRNA. As an important member, PRPF6 mutation resulting in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) is not common. Recently, we reported the establishment of an induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs; CSUASOi004-A) model by reprogramming the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a PRPF6-related adRP patient, which could recapitulate a consistent disease-specific genotype. In this study, a disease model of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was generated from the iPSCs of this patient to further investigate the underlying molecular and pathological mechanisms. The results showed the irregular morphology, disorganized apical microvilli and reduced expressions of RPE-specific genes in the patient’s iPSC-derived RPE cells. In addition, RPE cells carrying the PRPF6 mutation displayed a decrease in the phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled photoreceptor outer segments and exhibited impaired cell polarity and barrier function. This study will benefit the understanding of PRPF6-related RPE cells and future cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Liang
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha 410015, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha 410015, China
| | - Feng Tan
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha 410015, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha 410015, China
| | - Xihao Sun
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha 410015, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha 410015, China
| | - Zekai Cui
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha 410015, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha 410015, China
| | - Jianing Gu
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha 410015, China
| | | | - Hon Fai Chan
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Shibo Tang
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha 410015, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha 410015, China
- Correspondence: (S.T.); (J.C.); Tel.: +86-139-2510-0123 (S.T.); +86-186-7583-9029 (J.C.)
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha 410015, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha 410015, China
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Correspondence: (S.T.); (J.C.); Tel.: +86-139-2510-0123 (S.T.); +86-186-7583-9029 (J.C.)
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13
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Valdés-Sánchez L, Borrego-González S, Montero-Sánchez A, Massalini S, de la Cerda B, Díaz-Cuenca A, Díaz-Corrales FJ. Mesoporous Silica-Based Nanoparticles as Non-Viral Gene Delivery Platform for Treating Retinitis Pigmentosa. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082170. [PMID: 35456263 PMCID: PMC9026300 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene therapy is a therapeutic possibility for retinitis pigmentosa (RP), in which therapeutic transgenes are currently delivered to the retina by adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs). Although their safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in both clinical and preclinical settings, AAVs present some technical handicaps, such as limited cargo capacity and possible immunogenicity in repetitive doses. The development of alternative, non-viral delivery platforms like nanoparticles is of great interest to extend the application of gene therapy for RP. METHODS Amino-functionalized mesoporous silica-based nanoparticles (N-MSiNPs) were synthesized, physico-chemically characterized, and evaluated as gene delivery systems for human cells in vitro and for retinal cells in vivo. Transgene expression was evaluated by WB and immunofluorescence. The safety evaluation of mice subjected to subretinal injection was assessed by ophthalmological tests (electroretinogram, funduscopy, tomography, and optokinetic test). RESULTS N-MSiNPs delivered transgenes to human cells in vitro and to retinal cells in vivo. No adverse effects were detected for the integrity of the retinal tissue or the visual function of treated eyes. N-MSiNPs were able to deliver a therapeutic transgene candidate for RP, PRPF31, both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS N-MSiNPs are safe for retinal delivery and thus a potential alternative to viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Valdés-Sánchez
- Regeneration and Cell Therapy Department, Andalusian Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Centre (CABIMER), Junta de Andalucía, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (L.V.-S.); (A.M.-S.); (S.M.)
| | - Sara Borrego-González
- Materials Science Institute of Seville (ICMS), Joint CSIC-University of Seville Center, 41092 Seville, Spain;
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Adoración Montero-Sánchez
- Regeneration and Cell Therapy Department, Andalusian Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Centre (CABIMER), Junta de Andalucía, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (L.V.-S.); (A.M.-S.); (S.M.)
| | - Simone Massalini
- Regeneration and Cell Therapy Department, Andalusian Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Centre (CABIMER), Junta de Andalucía, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (L.V.-S.); (A.M.-S.); (S.M.)
| | - Berta de la Cerda
- Regeneration and Cell Therapy Department, Andalusian Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Centre (CABIMER), Junta de Andalucía, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (L.V.-S.); (A.M.-S.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (B.d.l.C.); (A.D.-C.); (F.J.D.-C.)
| | - Aránzazu Díaz-Cuenca
- Materials Science Institute of Seville (ICMS), Joint CSIC-University of Seville Center, 41092 Seville, Spain;
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (B.d.l.C.); (A.D.-C.); (F.J.D.-C.)
| | - Francisco J. Díaz-Corrales
- Regeneration and Cell Therapy Department, Andalusian Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Centre (CABIMER), Junta de Andalucía, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (L.V.-S.); (A.M.-S.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (B.d.l.C.); (A.D.-C.); (F.J.D.-C.)
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14
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Georgiou M, Yang C, Atkinson R, Pan K, Buskin A, Molina MM, Collin J, Al‐Aama J, Goertler F, Ludwig SEJ, Davey T, Lührmann R, Nagaraja‐Grellscheid S, Johnson CA, Ali R, Armstrong L, Korolchuk V, Urlaub H, Mozaffari‐Jovin S, Lako M. Activation of autophagy reverses progressive and deleterious protein aggregation in PRPF31 patient-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium cells. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e759. [PMID: 35297555 PMCID: PMC8926896 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factor 31 (PRPF31), a core protein of the spliceosomal tri-snRNP complex, cause autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). It has remained an enigma why mutations in ubiquitously expressed tri-snRNP proteins result in retina-specific disorders, and so far, the underlying mechanism of splicing factors-related RP is poorly understood. METHODS We used the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to generate retinal organoids and RPE models from four patients with severe and very severe PRPF31-adRP, unaffected individuals and a CRISPR/Cas9 isogenic control. RESULTS To fully assess the impacts of PRPF31 mutations, quantitative proteomics analyses of retinal organoids and RPE cells were carried out showing RNA splicing, autophagy and lysosome, unfolded protein response (UPR) and visual cycle-related pathways to be significantly affected. Strikingly, the patient-derived RPE and retinal cells were characterised by the presence of large amounts of cytoplasmic aggregates containing the mutant PRPF31 and misfolded, ubiquitin-conjugated proteins including key visual cycle and other RP-linked tri-snRNP proteins, which accumulated progressively with time. The mutant PRPF31 variant was not incorporated into splicing complexes, but reduction of PRPF31 wild-type levels led to tri-snRNP assembly defects in Cajal bodies of PRPF31 patient retinal cells, altered morphology of nuclear speckles and reduced formation of active spliceosomes giving rise to global splicing dysregulation. Moreover, the impaired waste disposal mechanisms further exacerbated aggregate formation, and targeting these by activating the autophagy pathway using Rapamycin reduced cytoplasmic aggregates, leading to improved cell survival. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that it is the progressive aggregate accumulation that overburdens the waste disposal machinery rather than direct PRPF31-initiated mis-splicing, and thus relieving the RPE cells from insoluble cytoplasmic aggregates presents a novel therapeutic strategy that can be combined with gene therapy studies to fully restore RPE and retinal cell function in PRPF31-adRP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Georgiou
- Newcastle University Biosciences InstituteNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Chunbo Yang
- Newcastle University Biosciences InstituteNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Robert Atkinson
- Newcastle University Biosciences InstituteNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Kuan‐Ting Pan
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Adriana Buskin
- Newcastle University Biosciences InstituteNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | - Joseph Collin
- Newcastle University Biosciences InstituteNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Jumana Al‐Aama
- Faculty of MedicineKing Abdulaziz UniversitySaudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Tracey Davey
- Newcastle University Biosciences InstituteNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Lyle Armstrong
- Newcastle University Biosciences InstituteNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | - Henning Urlaub
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
- Bioanalytics, Department of Clinical ChemistryUniversity Medical CenterGoettingenGermany
| | - Sina Mozaffari‐Jovin
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
- Medical Genetics Research CenterMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of MedicineMashhad University of Medical SciencesMashhadIran
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Newcastle University Biosciences InstituteNewcastle upon TyneUK
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15
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Bertrand RE, Wang J, Li Y, Cheng X, Wang K, Stoilov P, Chen R. Cwc27, associated with retinal degeneration, functions as a splicing factor in vivo. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:1278-1292. [PMID: 34726245 PMCID: PMC9029344 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous in vitro studies indicate that CWC27 functions as a splicing factor in the Bact spliceosome complex, interacting with CWC22 to form a landing platform for eIF4A3, a core component of the exon junction complex. However, the function of CWC27 as a splicing factor has not been validated in any in vivo systems. CWC27 variants have been shown to cause autosomal recessive retinal degeneration, in both syndromic and non-syndromic forms. The Cwc27K338fs/K338fs mouse model was shown to have significant retinal dysfunction and degeneration by 6 months of age. In this report, we have taken advantage of the Cwc27K338fs/K338fs mouse model to show that Cwc27 is involved in splicing in vivo in the context of the retina. Bulk RNA and single cell RNA-sequencing of the mouse retina showed that there were gene expression and splicing pattern changes, including alternative splice site usage and intron retention. Positive staining for CHOP suggests that ER stress may be activated in response to the splicing pattern changes and is a likely contributor to the disease mechanism. Our results provide the first evidence that CWC27 functions as a splicing factor in an in vivo context. The splicing defects and gene expression changes observed in the Cwc27K338fs/K338fs mouse retina provide insight to the potential disease mechanisms, paving the way for targeted therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renae Elaine Bertrand
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Yumei Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Xuesen Cheng
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Keqing Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Peter Stoilov
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, 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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16
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Crosstalk Between RPE Cells and Choroidal Endothelial Cells via the ANXA1/FPR2/SHP2/NLRP3 Inflammasome/Pyroptosis Axis Promotes Choroidal Neovascularization. Inflammation 2021; 45:414-427. [PMID: 34595678 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-021-01555-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
One type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), neovascular (nAMD), characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV), accounts for the majority of the severe central vision impairment associated with AMD. Endothelial cells (ECs) in direct contact with retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are more prone to the pathological angiogenesis involved in CNV. Herein, we investigated the effect of crosstalk between RPE cells and choroidal endothelial cells (CECs) via the ANXA1/FPR2/NLRP3 inflammasome/pyroptosis axis on the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in vitro and in vivo. ANXA1 expression and secretion from ARPE-19 cells were upregulated by hypoxia. FPR2 expression, especially on the plasma membrane, in HCECs was upregulated under hypoxic conditions. ANXA1 secreted from ARPE-19 cells inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in HCECs by activating the FPR2/SHP2 axis. Moreover, ANXA1 secreted by ARPE-19 cells promoted behaviors of HCECs, including proliferation, migration, and tube formation, by activating the FPR2/SHP2 axis and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis. Inhibiting the upregulated ANXA1/FPR2/SHP2/NLRP3 inflammasome/pyroptosis axis decreased the volume of CNV. Our data suggest that the crosstalk between RPE cells and CECs via the ANXA1/FPR2/NLRP3 inflammasome/pyroptosis axis promotes CNV. This finding could identify a potential target for the prevention and treatment of CNV.
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17
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Yang C, Georgiou M, Atkinson R, Collin J, Al-Aama J, Nagaraja-Grellscheid S, Johnson C, Ali R, Armstrong L, Mozaffari-Jovin S, Lako M. Pre-mRNA Processing Factors and Retinitis Pigmentosa: RNA Splicing and Beyond. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:700276. [PMID: 34395430 PMCID: PMC8355544 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.700276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common inherited retinal disease characterized by progressive degeneration of photoreceptors and/or retinal pigment epithelium that eventually results in blindness. Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPF3, 4, 6, 8, 31, SNRNP200, and RP9) have been linked to 15–20% of autosomal dominant RP (adRP) cases. Current evidence indicates that PRPF mutations cause retinal specific global spliceosome dysregulation, leading to mis-splicing of numerous genes that are involved in a variety of retina-specific functions and/or general biological processes, including phototransduction, retinol metabolism, photoreceptor disk morphogenesis, retinal cell polarity, ciliogenesis, cytoskeleton and tight junction organization, waste disposal, inflammation, and apoptosis. Importantly, additional PRPF functions beyond RNA splicing have been documented recently, suggesting a more complex mechanism underlying PRPF-RPs driven disease pathogenesis. The current review focuses on the key RP-PRPF genes, depicting the current understanding of their roles in RNA splicing, impact of their mutations on retinal cell’s transcriptome and phenome, discussed in the context of model species including yeast, zebrafish, and mice. Importantly, information on PRPF functions beyond RNA splicing are discussed, aiming at a holistic investigation of PRPF-RP pathogenesis. Finally, work performed in human patient-specific lab models and developing gene and cell-based replacement therapies for the treatment of PRPF-RPs are thoroughly discussed to allow the reader to get a deeper understanding of the disease mechanisms, which we believe will facilitate the establishment of novel and better therapeutic strategies for PRPF-RP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunbo Yang
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Georgiou
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Atkinson
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Collin
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jumana Al-Aama
- Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Colin Johnson
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Ali
- King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lyle Armstrong
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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18
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Roshandel D, Thompson JA, Heath Jeffery RC, Zhang D, Lamey TM, McLaren TL, De Roach JN, McLenachan S, Mackey DA, Chen FK. Clinical Evidence for the Importance of the Wild-Type PRPF31 Allele in the Phenotypic Expression of RP11. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060915. [PMID: 34198599 PMCID: PMC8232116 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PRPF31-associated retinopathy (RP11) is a common form of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) that exhibits wide variation in phenotype ranging from non-penetrance to early-onset RP. Herein, we report inter-familial and intra-familial variation in the natural history of RP11 using multimodal imaging and microperimetry. Patients were recruited prospectively. The age of symptom onset, best-corrected visual acuity, microperimetry mean sensitivity (MS), residual ellipsoid zone span and hyperautofluorescent ring area were recorded. Genotyping was performed using targeted next-generation and Sanger sequencing and copy number variant analysis. PRPF31 mutations were found in 14 individuals from seven unrelated families. Four disease patterns were observed: (A) childhood onset with rapid progression (N = 4), (B) adult-onset with rapid progression (N = 4), (C) adult-onset with slow progression (N = 4) and (D) non-penetrance (N = 2). Four different patterns were observed in a family harbouring c.267del; patterns B, C and D were observed in a family with c.772_773delins16 and patterns A, B and C were observed in 3 unrelated individuals with large deletions. Our findings suggest that the RP11 phenotype may be related to the wild-type PRPF31 allele rather than the type of mutation. Further studies that correlate in vitro wild-type PRPF31 allele expression level with the disease patterns are required to investigate this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danial Roshandel
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (D.R.); (R.C.H.J.); (T.M.L.); (T.L.M.); (J.N.D.R.); (S.M.); (D.A.M.)
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Jennifer A. Thompson
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Rachael C. Heath Jeffery
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (D.R.); (R.C.H.J.); (T.M.L.); (T.L.M.); (J.N.D.R.); (S.M.); (D.A.M.)
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
| | - Dan Zhang
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Tina M. Lamey
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (D.R.); (R.C.H.J.); (T.M.L.); (T.L.M.); (J.N.D.R.); (S.M.); (D.A.M.)
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Terri L. McLaren
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (D.R.); (R.C.H.J.); (T.M.L.); (T.L.M.); (J.N.D.R.); (S.M.); (D.A.M.)
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - John N. De Roach
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (D.R.); (R.C.H.J.); (T.M.L.); (T.L.M.); (J.N.D.R.); (S.M.); (D.A.M.)
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Samuel McLenachan
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (D.R.); (R.C.H.J.); (T.M.L.); (T.L.M.); (J.N.D.R.); (S.M.); (D.A.M.)
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - David A. Mackey
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (D.R.); (R.C.H.J.); (T.M.L.); (T.L.M.); (J.N.D.R.); (S.M.); (D.A.M.)
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Fred K. Chen
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (D.R.); (R.C.H.J.); (T.M.L.); (T.L.M.); (J.N.D.R.); (S.M.); (D.A.M.)
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-08-9381-0777
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19
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Li J, Liu F, Lv Y, Sun K, Zhao Y, Reilly J, Zhang Y, Tu J, Yu S, Liu X, Qin Y, Huang Y, Gao P, Jia D, Chen X, Han Y, Shu X, Luo D, Tang Z, Liu M. Prpf31 is essential for the survival and differentiation of retinal progenitor cells by modulating alternative splicing. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:2027-2043. [PMID: 33476374 PMCID: PMC7913766 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of splicing factors often result in abnormal cell differentiation and apoptosis, especially in neural tissues. Mutations in pre-mRNAs processing factor 31 (PRPF31) cause autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive retinal degeneration disease. The transcriptome-wide splicing events specifically regulated by PRPF31 and their biological roles in the development and maintenance of retina are still unclear. Here, we showed that the differentiation and viability of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) are severely perturbed in prpf31 knockout zebrafish when compared with other tissues at an early embryonic stage. At the cellular level, significant mitotic arrest and DNA damage were observed. These defects could be rescued by the wild-type human PRPF31 rather than the disease-associated mutants. Further bioinformatic analysis and experimental verification uncovered that Prpf31 deletion predominantly causes the skipping of exons with a weak 5′ splicing site. Moreover, genes necessary for DNA repair and mitotic progression are most enriched among the differentially spliced events, which may explain the cellular and tissular defects in prpf31 mutant retinas. This is the first time that Prpf31 is demonstrated to be essential for the survival and differentiation of RPCs during retinal neurogenesis by specifically modulating the alternative splicing of genes involved in DNA repair and mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhen Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Yuexia Lv
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Kui Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Yuntong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Jamas Reilly
- Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, Scotland, UK
| | - Yangjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Jiayi Tu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Shanshan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Xiliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Yayun Qin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Yuwen Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Pan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Danna Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Yunqiao Han
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Xinhua Shu
- Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, Scotland, UK
| | - Daji Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Zhaohui Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Mugen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
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Hebbar S, Lehmann M, Behrens S, Hälsig C, Leng W, Yuan M, Winkler S, Knust E. Mutations in the splicing regulator Prp31 lead to retinal degeneration in Drosophila. Biol Open 2021; 10:10/1/bio052332. [PMID: 33495354 PMCID: PMC7860132 DOI: 10.1242/bio.052332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a clinically heterogeneous disease affecting 1.6 million people worldwide. The second-largest group of genes causing autosomal dominant RP in human encodes regulators of the splicing machinery. Yet, how defects in splicing factor genes are linked to the aetiology of the disease remains largely elusive. To explore possible mechanisms underlying retinal degeneration caused by mutations in regulators of the splicing machinery, we induced mutations in Drosophila Prp31, the orthologue of human PRPF31, mutations in which are associated with RP11. Flies heterozygous mutant for Prp31 are viable and develop normal eyes and retina. However, photoreceptors degenerate under light stress, thus resembling the human disease phenotype. Degeneration is associated with increased accumulation of the visual pigment rhodopsin 1 and increased mRNA levels of twinfilin, a gene associated with rhodopsin trafficking. Reducing rhodopsin levels by raising animals in a carotenoid-free medium not only attenuates rhodopsin accumulation, but also retinal degeneration. Given a similar importance of proper rhodopsin trafficking for photoreceptor homeostasis in human, results obtained in flies presented here will also contribute to further unravel molecular mechanisms underlying the human disease. This paper has an associated First Person interview with the co-first authors of the article. Summary: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a human disease resulting in blindness, which affects 1 in 4.000 people worldwide. So far >90 genes have been identified that are causally related to RP. Mutations in the splicing factor PRPF31 are linked to RP11. We induced mutations in the Drosophila orthologue Prp31 and show that flies heterozygous for Prp31 undergo light-dependent retinal degeneration. Degeneration is associated with increased accumulation of the light-sensitive molecule, rhodopsin 1. In fact, reducing rhodopsin levels by dietary intervention modifies the extent of retinal degeneration. This model will further contribute to better understand the aetiology of the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Hebbar
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Malte Lehmann
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sarah Behrens
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Catrin Hälsig
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Weihua Leng
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michaela Yuan
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sylke Winkler
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Knust
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Gawęcki M. Laser treatment in retinitis pigmentosa-a review. Lasers Med Sci 2020; 35:1663-1670. [PMID: 32435907 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-020-03036-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a common inherited retinal disease for which effective treatment is not yet known. This review sought to analyze the available medical literature covering the efficacy of different forms of laser treatment for RP in laboratory and clinical trials. The PubMed database was searched using the following phrases: "laser photocoagulation", "subthreshold laser", "nanolaser", "micropulse laser", "retinitis pigmentosa", "rod-cone dystrophy", and "retinal dystrophy". Results were stratified as clinical or experimental studies. Six studies involving animal models and three studies involving human subjects that examined laser treatment in RP were found. Laboratory studies on rodents favored classic laser photocoagulation as the most effective therapy for slowing the progression of proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase MER-related RP. Two clinical studies on humans suggested transient but robust functional benefits of subthreshold micropulse laser treatment in RP. The available material is too scarce to define laser treatment as a standard procedure to treat RP in humans. Nondamaging retinal laser therapy should be tested more intensively in clinical trials as there is no proven negative side effect of that treatment and the theoretical background, especially the chaperone and reparative roles of heat shock proteins elicited during the procedure, supports this form of RP management.
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Mutation spectrum of PRPF31, genotype-phenotype correlation in retinitis pigmentosa, and opportunities for therapy. Exp Eye Res 2020; 192:107950. [PMID: 32014492 PMCID: PMC7065041 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.107950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing factor 31, PRPF31, are the second most common genetic cause of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) in most populations. This remains a completely untreatable and incurable form of blindness, and it can be difficult to predict the clinical course of disease. In order to design appropriate targeted therapies, a thorough understanding of the genetics and molecular mechanism of this disease is required. Here, we present the structure of the PRPF31 gene and PRPF31 protein, current understanding of PRPF31 protein function and the full spectrum of all reported clinically relevant variants in PRPF31. We delineate the correlation between specific PRPF31 genotype and RP phenotype, suggesting that, except in cases of complete gene deletion or large-scale deletions, dominant negative effects contribute to phenotype as well as haploinsufficiency. This has important impacts on design of targeted therapies, particularly the feasibility of gene augmentation as a broad approach for treatment of PRPF31-associated RP. We discuss other opportunities for therapy, including antisense oligonucleotide therapy and gene-independent approaches and offer future perspectives on treatment of this form of RP. PRPF31 is the second most common cause of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa and a potential target for gene therapy. We present all reported pathogenic variants in PRPF31 as a resource for clinicians, diagnostic genetics labs, and researchers. Genotype-phenotype correlations suggest that, dominant negative effects contribute to disease in addition to haploinsufficiency. This finding has important impacts on the suitability of gene augmentation approaches across all mutation types. This finding may aid prognosis of disease in PRPF31-associated RP patients.
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