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Wang Y, Li X, Yu Y, Liang J, Liu Y, Chen Y, Bai X, Chen J, Wang F, Luo X, Sun X. Modeling Cone/Cone-Rod Dystrophy Pathology by AAV-Mediated Overexpression of Mutant CRX Protein in the Mouse Retina. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:25. [PMID: 34144598 PMCID: PMC8237110 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.7.25] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to evaluate the pathogenesis of cone/cone–rod dystrophy (CoD/CoRD) caused by a cone–rod homeobox (CRX) mutation, which was identified in a Chinese family, through adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of mutant CRX protein in the mouse retina. Methods Comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations were performed for the pedigree members of a Chinese family with CoD/CoRD. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to determine the genetic cause of the disease. Furthermore, AAV vectors were used to construct AAV-CRX-mut-HA, which was transfected into mouse photoreceptor cells to clarify the pathogenesis of the mutant CRX. Results Fundus photography and optical coherence tomography images displayed features that were consistent with CoD/CoRD, including macular atrophy and photoreceptor layer thinning. Electroretinogram analysis indicated an obvious decrease in photopic responses or both scotopic and photopic responses in affected individuals. A frameshift variant c.611delC (p.S204fs) in CRX was cosegregated with the disease in this family. AAV-CRX-mut-HA that subretinally injected into the C57BL/6 mice generally transfected the outer nuclear layer, leading to the loss of cone and rod photoreceptor cells, abnormal expression of CRX target genes, and a decrease in electroretinogram responses. Conclusions AAV-mediated overexpression of CRX[S204fs] in the mouse retina led to a CoRD-like phenotype and showed the possible pathogenesis of the antimorphic CRX mutation. Translational Relevance This study provides a modeling method to evaluate the pathogenesis of CoD/CoRD and other inherited retinal dystrophies caused by distinct gain-of-function mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyue Bai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieqiong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Fenghua Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueting Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
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Crane R, Conley SM, Al-Ubaidi MR, Naash MI. Gene Therapy to the Retina and the Cochlea. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:652215. [PMID: 33815052 PMCID: PMC8010260 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.652215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vision and hearing disorders comprise the most common sensory disorders found in people. Many forms of vision and hearing loss are inherited and current treatments only provide patients with temporary or partial relief. As a result, developing genetic therapies for any of the several hundred known causative genes underlying inherited retinal and cochlear disorders has been of great interest. Recent exciting advances in gene therapy have shown promise for the clinical treatment of inherited retinal diseases, and while clinical gene therapies for cochlear disease are not yet available, research in the last several years has resulted in significant advancement in preclinical development for gene delivery to the cochlea. Furthermore, the development of somatic targeted genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 has brought new possibilities for the treatment of dominant or gain-of-function disease. Here we discuss the current state of gene therapy for inherited diseases of the retina and cochlea with an eye toward areas that still need additional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Crane
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shannon M. Conley
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Oklahoma Center for Neurosciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Muayyad R. Al-Ubaidi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Depatment of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Muna I. Naash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- Depatment of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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3
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Moore SM, Skowronska-Krawczyk D, Chao DL. Emerging Concepts for RNA Therapeutics for Inherited Retinal Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1185:85-89. [PMID: 31884593 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-27378-1_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) encompass a wide spectrum of hereditary blindness with significant genetic heterogeneity. Therapeutics regulating gene expression on an RNA level have significant promise for treating IRD. In this review, we review the molecular basis of oligonucleotide therapeutics such as ribozymes, RNA interference (RNAi), antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), CRISPRi/a, and their applications to treatments of IRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer M Moore
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniel L Chao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Tang S, Xia Y, Dai Y, Liu Y, Li J, Pan X, Chen P. Functional characterization of a novel GUCA1A missense mutation (D144G) in autosomal dominant cone dystrophy: A novel pathogenic GUCA1A variant in COD. Mol Vis 2019; 25:921-xxx. [PMID: 32025184 PMCID: PMC6982429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To elucidate the clinical phenotypes and pathogenesis of a novel missense mutation in guanylate cyclase activator A1A (GUCA1A) associated with autosomal dominant cone dystrophy (adCOD). Methods The members of a family with adCOD were clinically evaluated. Relevant genes were captured before being sequenced with targeted next-generation sequencing and confirmed with Sanger sequencing. Sequence analysis was made of the conservativeness of mutant residues. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was implemented to detect the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentration. Then limited protein hydrolysis and an electrophoresis shift were used to assess possible changes in the structure. Coimmunoprecipitation was employed to analyze the interaction between GCAP1 and retGC1. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the colocalization of GCAP1 and retGC1 in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells. Results A pathogenic mutation in GUCA1A (c.431A>G, p.D144G, exon 5) was revealed in four generations of a family with adCOD. GUCA1A encodes guanylate cyclase activating protein 1 (GCAP1). D144, located in the EF4 loop involving calcium binding, was highly conserved in the species. GCAP1-D144G was more susceptible to hydrolysis, and the mobility of the D144G band became slower in the presence of Ca2+. At high Ca2+ concentrations, GCAP1-D144G stimulated retGC1 in the HEK-293 membrane to significantly increase intracellular cGMP protein concentrations. Compared with wild-type (WT) GCAP1, GCAP1-D144G had an increased interaction with retGC1, as detected in the coimmunoprecipitation assay. Conclusions The newly discovered missense mutation in GUCA1A (p.D144G) might lead to an imbalance of Ca2+ and cGMP homeostasis and eventually, cause a significant variation in adCOD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzhen Tang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yujun Xia
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yunhai Dai
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Yaning Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jingshuo Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao266071, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiaojing Pan
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao266071, Shandong Province, China
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Normal GCAPs partly compensate for altered cGMP signaling in retinal dystrophies associated with mutations in GUCA1A. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20105. [PMID: 31882816 PMCID: PMC6934868 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56606-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Missense mutations in the GUCA1A gene encoding guanylate cyclase-activating protein 1 (GCAP1) are associated with autosomal dominant cone/cone-rod (CORD) dystrophies. The nature of the inheritance pattern implies that a pool of normal GCAP proteins is present in photoreceptors together with the mutated variant. To assess whether human GCAP1 and GCAP2 may similarly regulate the activity of the retinal membrane guanylate cyclase GC-1 (GC-E) in the presence of the recently discovered E111V-GCAP1 CORD-variant, we combined biochemical and in silico assays. Surprisingly, human GCAP2 does not activate GC1 over the physiological range of Ca2+ whereas wild-type GCAP1 significantly attenuates the dysregulation of GC1 induced by E111V-GCAP1. Simulation of the phototransduction cascade in a well-characterized murine system, where GCAP2 is able to activate the GC1, suggests that both GCAPs can act in a synergic manner to mitigate the effects of the CORD-mutation. We propose the existence of a species-dependent compensatory mechanism. In murine photoreceptors, slight increases of wild-type GCAPs levels may significantly attenuate the increase in intracellular Ca2+ and cGMP induced by E111V-GCAP1 in heterozygous conditions. In humans, however, the excess of wild-type GCAP1 may only partly attenuate the mutant-induced dysregulation of cGMP signaling due to the lack of GC1-regulation by GCAP2.
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Guiding Lights in Genome Editing for Inherited Retinal Disorders: Implications for Gene and Cell Therapy. Neural Plast 2018; 2018:5056279. [PMID: 29853845 PMCID: PMC5964415 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5056279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a leading cause of visual impairment in the developing world. These conditions present an irreversible dysfunction or loss of neural retinal cells, which significantly impacts quality of life. Due to the anatomical accessibility and immunoprivileged status of the eye, ophthalmological research has been at the forefront of innovative and advanced gene- and cell-based therapies, both of which represent great potential as therapeutic treatments for IRD patients. However, due to a genetic and clinical heterogeneity, certain IRDs are not candidates for these approaches. New advances in the field of genome editing using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) have provided an accurate and efficient way to edit the human genome and represent an appealing alternative for treating IRDs. We provide a brief update on current gene augmentation therapies for retinal dystrophies. Furthermore, we discuss recent advances in the field of genome editing and stem cell technologies, which together enable precise and personalized therapies for patients. Lastly, we highlight current technological limitations and barriers that need to be overcome before this technology can become a viable treatment option for patients.
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Zulliger R, Conley SM, Naash MI. Non-viral therapeutic approaches to ocular diseases: An overview and future directions. J Control Release 2015; 219:471-487. [PMID: 26439665 PMCID: PMC4699668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Currently there are no viable treatment options for patients with debilitating inherited retinal degeneration. The vast variability in disease-inducing mutations and resulting phenotypes has hampered the development of therapeutic interventions. Gene therapy is a logical approach, and recent work has focused on ways to optimize vector design and packaging to promote optimized expression and phenotypic rescue after intraocular delivery. In this review, we discuss ongoing ocular clinical trials, which currently use viral gene delivery, but focus primarily on new advancements in optimizing the efficacy of non-viral gene delivery for ocular diseases. Non-viral delivery systems are highly customizable, allowing functionalization to improve cellular and nuclear uptake, bypassing cellular degradative machinery, and improving gene expression in the nucleus. Non-viral vectors often yield transgene expression levels lower than viral counterparts, however their favorable safety/immune profiles and large DNA capacity (critical for the delivery of large ocular disease genes) make their further development a research priority. Recent work on particle coating and vector engineering presents exciting ways to overcome limitations of transient/low gene expression levels, but also highlights the fact that further refinements are needed before use in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel Zulliger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-5060, United States
| | - Shannon M Conley
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States
| | - Muna I Naash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-5060, United States.
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Hauswirth WW. Retinal gene therapy using adeno-associated viral vectors: multiple applications for a small virus. Hum Gene Ther 2015; 25:671-8. [PMID: 25136913 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2014.2530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- William W Hauswirth
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL 32610-0284
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9
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Clinical Utility Gene Card for: autosomal recessive cone-rod dystrophy. Eur J Hum Genet 2015; 23:ejhg201567. [PMID: 25873014 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2013] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Marc R, Pfeiffer R, Jones B. Retinal prosthetics, optogenetics, and chemical photoswitches. ACS Chem Neurosci 2014; 5:895-901. [PMID: 25089879 PMCID: PMC4210130 DOI: 10.1021/cn5001233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
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Three
technologies have emerged as therapies to restore light sensing to
profoundly blind patients suffering from late-stage retinal degenerations:
(1) retinal prosthetics, (2) optogenetics, and (3) chemical photoswitches.
Prosthetics are the most mature and the only approach in clinical
practice. Prosthetic implants require complex surgical intervention
and provide only limited visual resolution but can potentially restore
navigational ability to many blind patients. Optogenetics uses viral
delivery of type 1 opsin genes from prokaryotes or eukaryote algae
to restore light responses in survivor neurons. Targeting and expression
remain major problems, but are potentially soluble. Importantly, optogenetics
could provide the ultimate in high-resolution vision due to the long
persistence of gene expression achieved in animal models. Nevertheless,
optogenetics remains challenging to implement in human eyes with large
volumes, complex disease progression, and physical barriers to viral
penetration. Now, a new generation of photochromic ligands or chemical
photoswitches (azobenzene-quaternary ammonium derivatives) can be
injected into a degenerated mouse eye and, in minutes to hours, activate
light responses in neurons. These photoswitches offer the potential
for rapidly and reversibly screening the vision restoration expected
in an individual patient. Chemical photoswitch variants that persist
in the cell membrane could make them a simple therapy of choice, with
resolution and sensitivity equivalent to optogenetics approaches.
A major complexity in treating retinal degenerations is retinal remodeling:
pathologic network rewiring, molecular reprogramming, and cell death
that compromise signaling in the surviving retina. Remodeling forces
a choice between upstream and downstream targeting, each engaging
different benefits and defects. Prosthetics and optogenetics can be
implemented in either mode, but the use of chemical photoswitches
is currently limited to downstream implementations. Even so, given
the high density of human foveal ganglion cells, the ultimate chemical
photoswitch treatment could deliver cost-effective, high-resolution
vision for the blind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Marc
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, United States
| | - Rebecca Pfeiffer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, United States
| | - Bryan Jones
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, United States
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Nelson NG, Skeie JM, Muradov H, Rowell HA, Seo S, Mahajan VB. CAPN5 gene silencing by short hairpin RNA interference. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:642. [PMID: 25216694 PMCID: PMC4169796 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this project was to identify short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequences that can suppress expression of human CAPN5 in which gain-of-function mutants cause autosomal dominant neovascular inflammatory vitreoretinopathy (ADNIV). We created HEK293T cells that stably express an ADNIV disease allele, CAPN5-p.R243L. Transfection protocols were optimized for neuroblastoma SHSY5Y cells. The gene silencing effect of four different shRNA plasmids that target CAPN5 was tested. RNA and protein expression was determined using quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis. FINDINGS Two of four shRNA plasmids reduced mutant CAPN5 RNA in a stable cell line. Similar knockdown was observed in SH-SY5Y cells that natively express CAPN5. Lactose dehydrogenase assays showed that down-regulation of CAPN5 was not cytotoxic. CONCLUSIONS CAPN5 expression can be suppressed by shRNA-based RNA interference. Further testing in ADNIV models will determine the potential of gene silencing as a strategy to treat, delay, or prevent blindness in ADNIV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Vinit B Mahajan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Jiang L, Frederick JM, Baehr W. RNA interference gene therapy in dominant retinitis pigmentosa and cone-rod dystrophy mouse models caused by GCAP1 mutations. Front Mol Neurosci 2014; 7:25. [PMID: 24778606 PMCID: PMC3985072 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2014.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown is an efficacious therapeutic strategy for silencing genes causative for dominant retinal dystrophies. To test this, we used self-complementary (sc) AAV2/8 vector to develop an RNAi-based therapy in two dominant retinal degeneration mouse models. The allele-specific model expresses transgenic bovine GCAP1(Y99C) establishing a rapid RP-like phenotype, whereas the nonallele-specific model expresses mouse GCAP1(L151F) producing a slowly progressing cone-rod dystrophy (CORD). The late onset GCAP1(L151F)-CORD mimics the dystrophy observed in human GCAP1-CORD patients. Subretinal injection of scAAV2/8 carrying shRNA expression cassettes specific for bovine or mouse guanylate cyclase-activating protein 1 (GCAP1) showed strong expression at 1 week post-injection. In both allele-specific [GCAP1(Y99C)-RP] and nonallele-specific [GCAP1(L151F)-CORD] models of dominant retinal dystrophy, RNAi-mediated gene silencing enhanced photoreceptor survival, delayed onset of degeneration and improved visual function. Such results provide a "proof of concept" toward effective RNAi-based gene therapy mediated by scAAV2/8 for dominant retinal disease based on GCAP1 mutation. Further, nonallele-specific RNAi knockdown of GCAP1 may prove generally applicable toward the rescue of any human GCAP1-based dominant cone-rod dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health Science Center Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jeanne M Frederick
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health Science Center Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Wolfgang Baehr
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health Science Center Salt Lake City, UT, USA ; Department of Biology, University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT, USA ; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah Health Science Center Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Sulmann S, Dell'Orco D, Marino V, Behnen P, Koch KW. Conformational Changes in Calcium-Sensor Proteins under Molecular Crowding Conditions. Chemistry 2014; 20:6756-62. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201402146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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