1
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Busskamp V, Roska B, Sahel JA. Optogenetic Vision Restoration. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041660. [PMID: 37734866 PMCID: PMC11293536 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics has emerged over the past 20 years as a powerful tool to investigate the various circuits underlying numerous functions, especially in neuroscience. The ability to control by light the activity of neurons has enabled the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring some level of vision in blinding retinal conditions. Promising preclinical and initial clinical data support such expectations. Numerous challenges remain to be tackled (e.g., confirmation of safety, cell and circuit specificity, patterns, intensity and mode of stimulation, rehabilitation programs) on the path toward useful vision restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Busskamp
- Degenerative Retinal Diseases, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Botond Roska
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jose-Alain Sahel
- Department of Ophthalmology, UPMC Vision Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire FOReSIGHT, Sorbonne Universite, Inserm, Quinze-Vingts Hopital de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
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2
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Borchert GA, Shamsnajafabadi H, Ng BWJ, Xue K, De Silva SR, Downes SM, MacLaren RE, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J. Age-related macular degeneration: suitability of optogenetic therapy for geographic atrophy. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1415575. [PMID: 39010943 PMCID: PMC11246919 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1415575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a growing public health concern given the aging population and it is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries, affecting individuals over the age of 55 years. AMD affects the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's membrane in the macula, leading to secondary photoreceptor degeneration and eventual loss of central vision. Late AMD is divided into two forms: neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy (GA). GA accounts for around 60% of late AMD and has been the most challenging subtype to treat. Recent advances include approval of new intravitreally administered therapeutics, pegcetacoplan (Syfovre) and avacincaptad pegol (Iveric Bio), which target complement factors C3 and C5, respectively, which slow down the rate of enlargement of the area of atrophy. However, there is currently no treatment to reverse the central vision loss associated with GA. Optogenetics may provide a strategy for rescuing visual function in GA by imparting light-sensitivity to the surviving inner retina (i.e., retinal ganglion cells or bipolar cells). It takes advantage of residual inner retinal architecture to transmit visual stimuli along the visual pathway, while a wide range of photosensitive proteins are available for consideration. Herein, we review the anatomical changes in GA, discuss the suitability of optogenetic therapeutic sensors in different target cells in pre-clinical models, and consider the advantages and disadvantages of different routes of administration of therapeutic vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A. Borchert
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hoda Shamsnajafabadi
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin W. J. Ng
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kanmin Xue
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha R. De Silva
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Susan M. Downes
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E. MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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3
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Chaqour B, Duong TT, Yue J, Liu T, Camacho D, Dine KE, Esteve-Rudd J, Ellis S, Bennett J, Shindler KS, Ross AG. AAV2 vector optimization for retinal ganglion cell-targeted delivery of therapeutic genes. Gene Ther 2024; 31:175-186. [PMID: 38200264 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00436-8] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-2 has significant potential as a delivery vehicle of therapeutic genes to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which are key interventional targets in optic neuropathies. Here we show that when injected intravitreally, AAV2 engineered with a reporter gene driven by cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer and chicken β-actin (CBA) promoters, displays ubiquitous and high RGC expression, similar to its synthetic derivative AAV8BP2. A novel AAV2 vector combining the promoter of the human RGC-selective γ-synuclein (hSNCG) gene and woodchuck hepatitis post-transcriptional regulatory element (WPRE) inserted upstream and downstream of a reporter gene, respectively, induces widespread transduction and strong transgene expression in RGCs. High transduction efficiency and selectivity to RGCs is further achieved by incorporating in the vector backbone a leading CMV enhancer and an SV40 intron at the 5' and 3' ends, respectively, of the reporter gene. As a delivery vehicle of hSIRT1, a 2.2-kb therapeutic gene with anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress properties, this recombinant vector displayed improved transduction efficiency, a strong, widespread and selective RGC expression of hSIRT1, and increased RGC survival following optic nerve crush. Thus, AAV2 vector carrying hSNCG promoter with additional regulatory sequences may offer strong potential for enhanced effects of candidate gene therapies targeting RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahim Chaqour
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Thu T Duong
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Jipeng Yue
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tehui Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - David Camacho
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kimberly E Dine
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Scott Ellis
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, a Novartis Company, London, N7 9AS, UK
| | - Jean Bennett
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kenneth S Shindler
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Ahmara G Ross
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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4
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He X, Fu Y, Ma L, Yao Y, Ge S, Yang Z, Fan X. AAV for Gene Therapy in Ocular Diseases: Progress and Prospects. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0291. [PMID: 38188726 PMCID: PMC10768554 DOI: 10.34133/research.0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Owing to the promising therapeutic effect and one-time treatment advantage, gene therapy may completely change the management of eye diseases, especially retinal diseases. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is considered one of the most promising viral gene delivery tools because it can infect various types of tissues and is considered as a relatively safe gene delivery vector. The eye is one of the most popular organs for gene therapy, since its limited volume is suitable for small doses of AAV stably transduction. Recently, an increasing number of clinical trials of AAV-mediated gene therapy are underway. This review summarizes the biological functions of AAV and its application in the treatment of various ocular diseases, as well as the characteristics of different AAV delivery routes in clinical applications. Here, the latest research progresses in AAV-mediated gene editing and silencing strategies to modify that the genetic ocular diseases are systematically outlined, especially by base editing and prime editing. We discuss the progress of AAV in ocular optogenetic therapy. We also summarize the application of AAV-mediated gene therapy in animal models and the difficulties in its clinical transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yidian Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yizheng Yao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University; Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease,
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People’s Hospital,
Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
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5
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Khabou H, Orendorff E, Trapani F, Rucli M, Desrosiers M, Yger P, Dalkara D, Marre O. Optogenetic targeting of AII amacrine cells restores retinal computations performed by the inner retina. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101107. [PMID: 37868206 PMCID: PMC10589896 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Most inherited retinal dystrophies display progressive photoreceptor cell degeneration leading to severe visual impairment. Optogenetic reactivation of inner retinal neurons is a promising avenue to restore vision in retinas having lost their photoreceptors. Expression of optogenetic proteins in surviving ganglion cells, the retinal output, allows them to take on the lost photoreceptive function. Nonetheless, this creates an exclusively ON retina by expression of depolarizing optogenetic proteins in all classes of ganglion cells, whereas a normal retina extracts several features from the visual scene, with different ganglion cells detecting light increase (ON) and light decrease (OFF). Refinement of this therapeutic strategy should thus aim at restoring these computations. Here we used a vector that targets gene expression to a specific interneuron of the retina called the AII amacrine cell. AII amacrine cells simultaneously activate the ON pathway and inhibit the OFF pathway. We show that the optogenetic stimulation of AII amacrine cells allows restoration of both ON and OFF responses in the retina, but also mediates other types of retinal processing such as sustained and transient responses. Targeting amacrine cells with optogenetics is thus a promising avenue to restore better retinal function and visual perception in patients suffering from retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanen Khabou
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Elaine Orendorff
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Francesco Trapani
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Marco Rucli
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Melissa Desrosiers
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Yger
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Marre
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012 Paris, France
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6
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Westhaus A, Eamegdool SS, Fernando M, Fuller-Carter P, Brunet AA, Miller AL, Rashwan R, Knight M, Daniszewski M, Lidgerwood GE, Pébay A, Hewitt A, Santilli G, Thrasher AJ, Carvalho LS, Gonzalez-Cordero A, Jamieson RV, Lisowski L. AAV capsid bioengineering in primary human retina models. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21946. [PMID: 38081924 PMCID: PMC10713676 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49112-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated retinal gene therapy is an active field of both pre-clinical as well as clinical research. As with other gene therapy clinical targets, novel bioengineered AAV variants developed by directed evolution or rational design to possess unique desirable properties, are entering retinal gene therapy translational programs. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that predictive preclinical models are required to develop and functionally validate these novel AAVs prior to clinical studies. To investigate if, and to what extent, primary retinal explant culture could be used for AAV capsid development, this study performed a large high-throughput screen of 51 existing AAV capsids in primary human retina explants and other models of the human retina. Furthermore, we applied transgene expression-based directed evolution to develop novel capsids for more efficient transduction of primary human retina cells and compared the top variants to the strongest existing benchmarks identified in the screening described above. A direct side-by-side comparison of the newly developed capsids in four different in vitro and ex vivo model systems of the human retina allowed us to identify novel AAV variants capable of high transgene expression in primary human retina cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Westhaus
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Steven S Eamegdool
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Milan Fernando
- Stem Cell and Organoid Facility, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | | | - Alicia A Brunet
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Annie L Miller
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | | | - Maddison Knight
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Maciej Daniszewski
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Grace E Lidgerwood
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alice Pébay
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alex Hewitt
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Giorgia Santilli
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Adrian J Thrasher
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Teaching and Research Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Livia S Carvalho
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Australia
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Anai Gonzalez-Cordero
- Stem Cell and Organoid Facility, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
- Stem Cell Medicine Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Robyn V Jamieson
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia.
- Australian Genome Therapeutics Centre, Children's Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
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Ren H, Cheng Y, Wen G, Wang J, Zhou M. Emerging optogenetics technologies in biomedical applications. SMART MEDICINE 2023; 2:e20230026. [PMID: 39188295 PMCID: PMC11235740 DOI: 10.1002/smmd.20230026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Optogenetics is a cutting-edge technology that merges light control and genetics to achieve targeted control of tissue cells. Compared to traditional methods, optogenetics offers several advantages in terms of time and space precision, accuracy, and reduced damage to the research object. Currently, optogenetics is primarily used in pathway research, drug screening, gene expression regulation, and the stimulation of molecule release to treat various diseases. The selection of light-sensitive proteins is the most crucial aspect of optogenetic technology; structural changes occur or downstream channels are activated to achieve signal transmission or factor release, allowing efficient and controllable disease treatment. In this review, we examine the extensive research conducted in the field of biomedicine concerning optogenetics, including the selection of light-sensitive proteins, the study of carriers and delivery devices, and the application of disease treatment. Additionally, we offer critical insights and future implications of optogenetics in the realm of clinical medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haozhen Ren
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHepatobiliary InstituteNanjing Drum Tower HospitalMedical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yi Cheng
- Department of Vascular SurgeryThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Gaolin Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHepatobiliary InstituteNanjing Drum Tower HospitalMedical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryHepatobiliary InstituteNanjing Drum Tower HospitalMedical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Vascular SurgeryThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
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8
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Katada Y, Yoshida K, Serizawa N, Lee D, Kobayashi K, Negishi K, Okano H, Kandori H, Tsubota K, Kurihara T. Highly sensitive visual restoration and protection via ectopic expression of chimeric rhodopsin in mice. iScience 2023; 26:107716. [PMID: 37720108 PMCID: PMC10504486 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreception requires amplification by mammalian rhodopsin through G protein activation, which requires a visual cycle. To achieve this in retinal gene therapy, we incorporated human rhodopsin cytoplasmic loops into Gloeobacter rhodopsin, thereby generating Gloeobacter and human chimeric rhodopsin (GHCR). In a murine model of inherited retinal degeneration, we induced retinal GHCR expression by intravitreal injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector. Retinal explant and visual thalamus electrophysiological recordings, behavioral tests, and histological analysis showed that GHCR restored dim-environment vision and prevented the progression of retinal degeneration. Thus, GHCR may be a potent clinical tool for the treatment of retinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusaku Katada
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuho Yoshida
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Aichi 466-0061, Japan
| | - Naho Serizawa
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-8650, Japan
| | - Deokho Lee
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kenta Kobayashi
- Section of Viral Vector Development, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuno Negishi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideki Kandori
- Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Aichi 466-0061, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- Tsubota Laboratory, Inc., Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0016, Japan
| | - Toshihide Kurihara
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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9
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Kerschensteiner D. Losing, preserving, and restoring vision from neurodegeneration in the eye. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R1019-R1036. [PMID: 37816323 PMCID: PMC10575673 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The retina is a part of the brain that sits at the back of the eye, looking out onto the world. The first neurons of the retina are the rod and cone photoreceptors, which convert changes in photon flux into electrical signals that are the basis of vision. Rods and cones are frequent targets of heritable neurodegenerative diseases that cause visual impairment, including blindness, in millions of people worldwide. This review summarizes the diverse genetic causes of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) and their convergence onto common pathogenic mechanisms of vision loss. Currently, there are few effective treatments for IRDs, but recent advances in disparate areas of biology and technology (e.g., genome editing, viral engineering, 3D organoids, optogenetics, semiconductor arrays) discussed here enable promising efforts to preserve and restore vision in IRD patients with implications for neurodegeneration in less approachable brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kerschensteiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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10
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Katada Y, Kunimi H, Serizawa N, Lee D, Kobayashi K, Negishi K, Okano H, Tanaka KF, Tsubota K, Kurihara T. Starburst amacrine cells amplify optogenetic visual restoration through gap junctions. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:1-13. [PMID: 37324975 PMCID: PMC10265492 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ectopic induction of optogenetic actuators, such as channelrhodopsin, is a promising approach to restoring vision in the degenerating retina. However, the cell type-specific response of ectopic photoreception has not been well understood. There are limits to obtaining efficient gene expression in a specifically targeted cell population by a transgenic approach. In the present study, we established a murine model with high efficiency of gene induction to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells using an improved tetracycline transactivator-operator bipartite system (KENGE-tet system). To investigate the cell type-specific visual restorative effect, we expressed the channelrhodopsin gene into RGCs and amacrine cells using the KENGE-tet system. As a result, enhancement in the visual restorative effect was observed to RGCs and starburst amacrine cells. In conclusion, a photoresponse from amacrine cells may enhance the maintained response of RGCs and further increase or improve the visual restorative effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusaku Katada
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Kunimi
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Naho Serizawa
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-8650, Japan
| | - Deokho Lee
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kenta Kobayashi
- Section of Viral Vector Development, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuno Negishi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kenji F. Tanaka
- Division of Brain Sciences, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- Tsubota Laboratory, Inc, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0016, Japan
| | - Toshihide Kurihara
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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11
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Wood EH, Kreymerman A, Kowal T, Buickians D, Sun Y, Muscat S, Mercola M, Moshfeghi DM, Goldberg JL. Cellular and subcellular optogenetic approaches towards neuroprotection and vision restoration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 96:101153. [PMID: 36503723 PMCID: PMC10247900 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetics is defined as the combination of genetic and optical methods to induce or inhibit well-defined events in isolated cells, tissues, or animals. While optogenetics within ophthalmology has been primarily applied towards treating inherited retinal disease, there are a myriad of other applications that hold great promise for a variety of eye diseases including cellular regeneration, modulation of mitochondria and metabolism, regulation of intraocular pressure, and pain control. Supported by primary data from the authors' work with in vitro and in vivo applications, we introduce a novel approach to metabolic regulation, Opsins to Restore Cellular ATP (ORCA). We review the fundamental constructs for ophthalmic optogenetics, present current therapeutic approaches and clinical trials, and discuss the future of subcellular and signaling pathway applications for neuroprotection and vision restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward H Wood
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Kreymerman
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Tia Kowal
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - David Buickians
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Yang Sun
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Muscat
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Mark Mercola
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Darius M Moshfeghi
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Goldberg
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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12
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Zin EA, Ozturk BE, Dalkara D, Byrne LC. Developing New Vectors for Retinal Gene Therapy. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2023; 13:a041291. [PMID: 36987583 PMCID: PMC10691475 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Since their discovery over 55 years ago, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have become powerful tools for experimental and therapeutic in vivo gene delivery, particularly in the retina. Increasing knowledge of AAV structure and biology has propelled forward the development of engineered AAV vectors with improved abilities for gene delivery. However, major obstacles to safe and efficient therapeutic gene delivery remain, including tropism, inefficient and untargeted gene delivery, and limited carrying capacity. Additional improvements to AAV vectors will be required to achieve therapeutic benefit while avoiding safety issues. In this review, we provide an overview of recent methods for engineering-enhanced AAV capsids, as well as remaining challenges that must be overcome to achieve optimized therapeutic gene delivery in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia A Zin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Bilge E Ozturk
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Leah C Byrne
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
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13
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Rodgers J, Hughes S, Lindner M, Allen AE, Ebrahimi AS, Storchi R, Peirson SN, Lucas RJ, Hankins MW. Functional integrity of visual coding following advanced photoreceptor degeneration. Curr Biol 2023; 33:474-486.e5. [PMID: 36630957 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Photoreceptor degeneration sufficient to produce severe visual loss often spares the inner retina. This raises hope for vision restoration treatments using optogenetics or electrical stimulation, which generate a replacement light input signal in surviving neurons. The success of these approaches is dependent on the capacity of surviving circuits of the visual system to generate and propagate an appropriate visual code in the face of neuroanatomical remodeling. To determine whether retinally degenerate animals possess this capacity, we generated a transgenic mouse model expressing the optogenetic actuator ReaChR in ON bipolar cells (second-order neurons in the visual projection). After crossing this with the rd1 model of photoreceptor degeneration, we compared ReaChR-derived responses with photoreceptor-driven responses in wild-type (WT) mice at the level of retinal ganglion cells and the visual thalamus. The ReaChR-driven responses in rd1 animals showed low photosensitivity, but in other respects generated a visual code that was very similar to the WT. ReaChR rd1 responses had high trial-to-trial reproducibility and showed sensitivity normalization to code contrast across background intensities. At the single unit level, ReaChR-derived responses exhibited broadly similar variations in response polarity, contrast sensitivity, and temporal frequency tuning as the WT. Units from the WT and ReaChR rd1 mice clustered together when subjected to unsupervised community detection based on stimulus-response properties. Our data reveal an impressive ability for surviving circuitry to recreate a rich visual code following advanced retinal degeneration and are promising for regenerative medicine in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rodgers
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Steven Hughes
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Moritz Lindner
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Philipps University, Deutschhausstr. 1-2, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | - Annette E Allen
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Aghileh S Ebrahimi
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Riccardo Storchi
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Stuart N Peirson
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Robert J Lucas
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
| | - Mark W Hankins
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
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14
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John MC, Quinn J, Hu ML, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J, Xue K. Gene-agnostic therapeutic approaches for inherited retinal degenerations. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1068185. [PMID: 36710928 PMCID: PMC9881597 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1068185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are associated with mutations in over 250 genes and represent a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. While gene augmentation or gene editing therapies could address the underlying genetic mutations in a small subset of patients, their utility remains limited by the great genetic heterogeneity of IRDs and the costs of developing individualised therapies. Gene-agnostic therapeutic approaches target common pathogenic pathways that drive retinal degeneration or provide functional rescue of vision independent of the genetic cause, thus offering potential clinical benefits to all IRD patients. Here, we review the key gene-agnostic approaches, including retinal cell reprogramming and replacement, neurotrophic support, immune modulation and optogenetics. The relative benefits and limitations of these strategies and the timing of clinical interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C. John
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joel Quinn
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Monica L. Hu
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kanmin Xue
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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15
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Karamali F, Behtaj S, Babaei-Abraki S, Hadady H, Atefi A, Savoj S, Soroushzadeh S, Najafian S, Nasr Esfahani MH, Klassen H. Potential therapeutic strategies for photoreceptor degeneration: the path to restore vision. J Transl Med 2022; 20:572. [PMID: 36476500 PMCID: PMC9727916 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03738-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors (PRs), as the most abundant and light-sensing cells of the neuroretina, are responsible for converting light into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. PR degeneration, including morphological and functional impairment of these cells, causes significant diminution of the retina's ability to detect light, with consequent loss of vision. Recent findings in ocular regenerative medicine have opened promising avenues to apply neuroprotective therapy, gene therapy, cell replacement therapy, and visual prostheses to the challenge of restoring vision. However, successful visual restoration in the clinical setting requires application of these therapeutic approaches at the appropriate stage of the retinal degeneration. In this review, firstly, we discuss the mechanisms of PR degeneration by focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying cell death. Subsequently, innovations, recent developments, and promising treatments based on the stage of disorder progression are further explored. Then, the challenges to be addressed before implementation of these therapies in clinical practice are considered. Finally, potential solutions to overcome the current limitations of this growing research area are suggested. Overall, the majority of current treatment modalities are still at an early stage of development and require extensive additional studies, both pre-clinical and clinical, before full restoration of visual function in PR degeneration diseases can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Karamali
- grid.417689.5Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sanaz Behtaj
- grid.1022.10000 0004 0437 5432Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia ,grid.1022.10000 0004 0437 5432Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222 Australia
| | - Shahnaz Babaei-Abraki
- grid.417689.5Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hanieh Hadady
- grid.417689.5Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Atefeh Atefi
- grid.417689.5Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Soraya Savoj
- grid.417689.5Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sareh Soroushzadeh
- grid.417689.5Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Samaneh Najafian
- grid.417689.5Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr Esfahani
- grid.417689.5Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Henry Klassen
- grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Irvine, CA USA
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16
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Ross M, Obolensky A, Averbukh E, Desrosiers M, Ezra-Elia R, Honig H, Yamin E, Rosov A, Dvir H, Gootwine E, Banin E, Dalkara D, Ofri R. Outer retinal transduction by AAV2-7m8 following intravitreal injection in a sheep model of CNGA3 achromatopsia. Gene Ther 2022; 29:624-635. [PMID: 34853444 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Sheep carrying a mutated CNGA3 gene exhibit diminished cone function and provide a naturally occurring large animal model of achromatopsia. Subretinal injection of a vector carrying the CNGA3 transgene resulted in long-term recovery of cone function and photopic vision in these sheep. Research is underway to develop efficacious vectors that would enable safer transgene delivery, while avoiding potential drawbacks of subretinal injections. The current study evaluated two modified vectors, adeno-associated virus 2-7m8 (AAV2-7m8) and AAV9-7m8. Intravitreal injection of AAV2-7m8 carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein under a cone-specific promoter resulted in moderate photoreceptor transduction in wild-type sheep, whereas peripheral subretinal delivery of AAV9-7m8 resulted in the radial spread of the vector beyond the point of deposition. Intravitreal injection of AAV2-7m8 carrying human CNGA3 in mutant sheep resulted in mild photoreceptor transduction, but did not lead to the clinical rescue of photopic vision, while day-blind sheep treated with a subretinal injection exhibited functional recovery of photopic vision. Transgene messenger RNA levels in retinas of intravitreally treated eyes amounted to 4-23% of the endogenous CNGA3 levels, indicating that expression levels >23% are needed to achieve clinical rescue. Overall, our results indicate intravitreal injections of AAV2.7m8 transduce ovine photoreceptors, but not with sufficient efficacy to achieve clinical rescue in CNGA3 mutant sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ross
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - A Obolensky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - E Averbukh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - M Desrosiers
- Department of Therapeutics, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - R Ezra-Elia
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - H Honig
- Department of Animal Science, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - E Yamin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - A Rosov
- Department of Animal Science, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - H Dvir
- Department of Animal Science, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - E Gootwine
- Department of Animal Science, ARO, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - E Banin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - D Dalkara
- Department of Therapeutics, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - R Ofri
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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17
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Rotov AY, Firsov ML. Optogenetic Prosthetization of Retinal Bipolar Cells. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093022060011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Although the experience of optogenetic retinal prosthetics
in animal models dates back to more than 16 years, the first results
obtained on humans have only been reported in the last year. Over this
period, the main challenges of prosthetics became clear and the
approaches to their solution were proposed. In this review, we aim
to present the achievements in the field of optogenetic prosthetization
of retinal bipolar cells with a focus mainly on relatively recent
publications. The review addresses the advantages and disadvantages
of bipolar cell prosthetics as compared to the alternative target,
retinal ganglion cells, and provides a comparative analysis of the
effectiveness of ionotropic light-sensitive proteins (channelrhodopsins)
or metabotropic receptors (rhodopsins) as prosthetic tools.
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18
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Weinmann J, Söllner J, Abele S, Zimmermann G, Zuckschwerdt K, Mayer C, Danner-Liskus J, Peltzer A, Schuler M, Lamla T, Strobel B. Identification of Broadly Applicable Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors by Systematic Comparison of Commonly Used Capsid Variants In Vitro. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:1197-1212. [PMID: 36097758 PMCID: PMC9700356 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) represent highly attractive gene therapy vectors and potent research tools for the modulation of gene expression in animal models or difficult-to-transfect cell cultures. Engineered variants, comprising chimeric, mutated, or peptide-inserted capsids, have strongly broadened the utility of AAVs by altering cellular tropism, enabling immune evasion, or increasing transduction efficiency. In this work, the performance of 50 of the most used, predominantly published, AAVs was compared on several primary cells, cell lines, and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived models from different organs, including the adipose tissue, liver, lung, brain, and eyes. To identify the most efficient capsids for each cell type, self-complementary AAVs were standardized by digital polymerase chain reaction, arrayed on 96-well plates, and screened using high-content imaging. To enable best use of the data, all results are also provided in a web app. The utility of one selected AAV variant is further exemplified in a liver fibrosis assay based on primary hepatic stellate cells, where it successfully reversed a small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced phenotype. Most importantly, our comparative analysis revealed that a subselection of only five AAV variants (AAV2.NN, AAV9-SLRSPPS, AAV6.2, AAV6TM, and AAV1P5) enabled efficient transduction of all tested cell types and markedly outperformed other well-established capsids, such as AAV2-7m8. These findings suggest that a core panel comprising these five capsid variants is a universally applicable and sufficient tool to identify potent AAVs for gene expression modulation in cellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Weinmann
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Julia Söllner
- Translational Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sarah Abele
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Gudrun Zimmermann
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Kai Zuckschwerdt
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Christine Mayer
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Jenny Danner-Liskus
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Alexander Peltzer
- Translational Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Michael Schuler
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany,Correspondence: Dr. Benjamin Strobel, Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88400 Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
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19
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De Silva SR, Moore AT. Optogenetic approaches to therapy for inherited retinal degenerations. J Physiol 2022; 600:4623-4632. [PMID: 35908243 DOI: 10.1113/jp282076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal degenerations such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) affect around one in 4000 people and are the leading cause of blindness in working age adults in several countries. In these typically monogenic conditions, there is progressive degeneration of photoreceptors; however, inner retinal neurons such as bipolar cells and ganglion cells remain largely structurally intact, even in end-stage disease. Therapeutic approaches aiming to stimulate these residual cells, independent of the underlying genetic cause, could potentially restore visual function in patients with advanced vision loss, and benefit many more patients than therapies directed at the specific gene implicated in each disorder. One approach investigated for this purpose is that of optogenetics, a method of neuromodulation that utilises light to activate neurons engineered to ectopically express a light-sensitive protein. Using gene therapy via adeno-associated viral vectors, a range of photosensitive proteins have been expressed in remaining retinal cells in advanced retinal degeneration with in vivo studies demonstrating restoration of visual function. Developing an effective optogenetic strategy requires consideration of multiple factors, including the light-sensitive protein that is used, the vector and method for gene delivery, and the target cell for expression because these in turn may affect the quality of vision that can be restored. Currently, at least four clinical trials are ongoing to investigate optogenetic therapies in patients, with the ultimate aim of reversing visual loss in end-stage disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha R De Silva
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford, UK.,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony T Moore
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.,Ophthalmology Department, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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20
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Bipolar cell targeted optogenetic gene therapy restores parallel retinal signaling and high-level vision in the degenerated retina. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1116. [PMID: 36266533 PMCID: PMC9585040 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04016-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic gene therapies to restore vision are in clinical trials. Whilst current clinical approaches target the ganglion cells, the output neurons of the retina, new molecular tools enable efficient targeting of the first order retinal interneurons, the bipolar cells, with the potential to restore a higher quality of vision. Here we investigate retinal signaling and behavioral vision in blind mice treated with bipolar cell targeted optogenetic gene therapies. All tested tools, including medium-wave opsin, Opto-mGluR6, and two new melanopsin based chimeras restored visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. The best performing opsin was a melanopsin-mGluR6 chimera, which in some cases restored visual acuities and contrast sensitivities that match wild-type animals. Light responses from the ganglion cells were robust with diverse receptive-field types, inferring elaborate inner retinal signaling. Our results highlight the potential of bipolar cell targeted optogenetics to recover high-level vision in human patients with end-stage retinal degenerations. A chimeric Mela(CTmGluR6) optogenetic tool has the potential to restore vision and signaling in a mouse model of degenerative retinal disease.
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21
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Wu F, Sambamurti K, Sha S. Current Advances in Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Gene Therapy to Prevent Acquired Hearing Loss. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2022; 23:569-578. [PMID: 36002664 PMCID: PMC9613825 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-022-00866-y] [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: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are viral vectors that offer an excellent platform for gene therapy due to their safety profile, persistent gene expression in non-dividing cells, target cell specificity, lack of pathogenicity, and low immunogenicity. Recently, gene therapy for genetic hearing loss with AAV transduction has shown promise in animal models. However, AAV transduction for gene silencing or expression to prevent or manage acquired hearing loss is limited. This review provides an overview of AAV as a leading gene delivery vector for treating genetic hearing loss in animal models. We highlight the advantages and shortcomings of AAV for investigating the mechanisms and preventing acquired hearing loss. We predict that AAV-mediated gene manipulation will be able to prevent acquired hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Walton Research Building, Room 403-E, 39 Sabin Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kumar Sambamurti
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Suhua Sha
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Walton Research Building, Room 403-E, 39 Sabin Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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22
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Spampinato GLB, Ronzitti E, Zampini V, Ferrari U, Trapani F, Khabou H, Agraval A, Dalkara D, Picaud S, Papagiakoumou E, Marre O, Emiliani V. All-optical inter-layers functional connectivity investigation in the mouse retina. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100268. [PMID: 36046629 PMCID: PMC9421538 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We developed a multi-unit microscope for all-optical inter-layers circuits interrogation. The system performs two-photon (2P) functional imaging and 2P multiplexed holographic optogenetics at axially distinct planes. We demonstrated the capability of the system to map, in the mouse retina, the functional connectivity between rod bipolar cells (RBCs) and ganglion cells (GCs) by activating single or defined groups of RBCs while recording the evoked response in the GC layer with cell-type specificity and single-cell resolution. We then used a logistic model to probe the functional connectivity between cell types by deriving the "cellular receptive field" describing how RBCs impact each GC type. With the capability to simultaneously image and control neuronal activity at axially distinct planes, the system enables a precise interrogation of multi-layered circuits. Understanding this information transfer is a promising avenue to dissect complex neural circuits and understand the neural basis of computations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emiliano Ronzitti
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Valeria Zampini
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Ulisse Ferrari
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Francesco Trapani
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Hanen Khabou
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | | | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Serge Picaud
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | | | - Olivier Marre
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Valentina Emiliani
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France
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Emiliani V, Entcheva E, Hedrich R, Hegemann P, Konrad KR, Lüscher C, Mahn M, Pan ZH, Sims RR, Vierock J, Yizhar O. Optogenetics for light control of biological systems. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:55. [PMID: 37933248 PMCID: PMC10627578 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic techniques have been developed to allow control over the activity of selected cells within a highly heterogeneous tissue, using a combination of genetic engineering and light. Optogenetics employs natural and engineered photoreceptors, mostly of microbial origin, to be genetically introduced into the cells of interest. As a result, cells that are naturally light-insensitive can be made photosensitive and addressable by illumination and precisely controllable in time and space. The selectivity of expression and subcellular targeting in the host is enabled by applying control elements such as promoters, enhancers and specific targeting sequences to the employed photoreceptor-encoding DNA. This powerful approach allows precise characterization and manipulation of cellular functions and has motivated the development of advanced optical methods for patterned photostimulation. Optogenetics has revolutionized neuroscience during the past 15 years and is primed to have a similar impact in other fields, including cardiology, cell biology and plant sciences. In this Primer, we describe the principles of optogenetics, review the most commonly used optogenetic tools, illumination approaches and scientific applications and discuss the possibilities and limitations associated with optogenetic manipulations across a wide variety of optical techniques, cells, circuits and organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Emiliani
- Wavefront Engineering Microscopy Group, Photonics Department, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rainer Hedrich
- Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Hegemann
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai R. Konrad
- Julius-von-Sachs Institute for Biosciences, Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Lüscher
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinic of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Mahn
- Department of Neurobiology, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zhuo-Hua Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ruth R. Sims
- Wavefront Engineering Microscopy Group, Photonics Department, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Johannes Vierock
- Institute for Biology, Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité – Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ofer Yizhar
- Departments of Brain Sciences and Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Gilhooley MJ, Lindner M, Palumaa T, Hughes S, Peirson SN, Hankins MW. A systematic comparison of optogenetic approaches to visual restoration. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 25:111-123. [PMID: 35402632 PMCID: PMC8956963 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
During inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), vision is lost due to photoreceptor cell death; however, a range of optogenetic tools have been shown to restore light responses in animal models. Restored response characteristics vary between tools and the neuronal cell population to which they are delivered: the interplay between these is complex, but targeting upstream neurons (such as retinal bipolar cells) may provide functional benefit by retaining intraretinal signal processing. In this study, our aim was to compare two optogenetic tools: mammalian melanopsin (hOPN4) and microbial red-shifted channelrhodopsin (ReaChR) expressed within two subpopulations of surviving cells in a degenerate retina. Intravitreal adeno-associated viral vectors and mouse models utilising the Cre/lox system restricted expression to populations dominated by bipolar cells or retinal ganglion cells and was compared with non-targeted delivery using the chicken beta actin (CBA) promoter. In summary, we found bipolar-targeted optogenetic tools produced faster kinetics and flatter intensity-response relationships compared with non-targeted or retinal-ganglion-cell-targeted hOPN4. Hence, optogenetic tools of both mammalian and microbial origins show advantages when targeted to bipolar cells. This demonstrates the advantage of bipolar-cell-targeted optogenetics for vision restoration in IRDs. We therefore developed a bipolar-cell-specific gene delivery system employing a compressed promoter with the potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Gilhooley
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Jules Thorne SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- The Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162, City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Moritz Lindner
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Jules Thorne SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Philipps University, Deutschhausstrasse 1-2, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | - Teele Palumaa
- Jules Thorne SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- East Tallinn Central Hospital Eye Clinic, Ravi 18, 10138 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Steven Hughes
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Jules Thorne SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Stuart N. Peirson
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Jules Thorne SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Mark W. Hankins
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Jules Thorne SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Corresponding author Mark W. Hankins, Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
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25
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Lindner M, Gilhooley MJ, Hughes S, Hankins MW. Optogenetics for visual restoration: From proof of principle to translational challenges. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 91:101089. [PMID: 35691861 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Degenerative retinal disorders are a diverse family of diseases commonly leading to irreversible photoreceptor death, while leaving the inner retina relatively intact. Over recent years, innovative gene replacement therapies aiming to halt the progression of certain inherited retinal disorders have made their way into clinics. By rendering surviving retinal neurons light sensitive optogenetic gene therapy now offers a feasible treatment option that can restore lost vision, even in late disease stages and widely independent of the underlying cause of degeneration. Since proof-of-concept almost fifteen years ago, this field has rapidly evolved and a detailed first report on a treated patient has recently been published. In this article, we provide a review of optogenetic approaches for vision restoration. We discuss the currently available optogenetic tools and their relative advantages and disadvantages. Possible cellular targets will be discussed and we will address the question how retinal remodelling may affect the choice of the target and to what extent it may limit the outcomes of optogenetic vision restoration. Finally, we will analyse the evidence for and against optogenetic tool mediated toxicity and will discuss the challenges associated with clinical translation of this promising therapeutic concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Lindner
- The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Jules Thorn SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom; Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Philipps University, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael J Gilhooley
- The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Jules Thorn SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom; The Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Hughes
- The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Jules Thorn SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Mark W Hankins
- The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Jules Thorn SCNi, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom.
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26
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Nikonov S, Aravand P, Lyubarsky A, Nikonov R, Luo AJ, Wei Z, Maguire AM, Phelps NT, Shpylchak I, Willett K, Aleman TS, Huckfeldt RM, Ramachandran PS, Bennett J. Restoration of Vision and Retinal Responses After Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Optogenetic Therapy in Blind Dogs. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:24. [PMID: 35604672 PMCID: PMC9145127 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.5.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Optogenetic gene therapy to render remaining retinal cells light-sensitive in end-stage retinal degeneration is a promising strategy for treatment of individuals blind because of a variety of different inherited retinal degenerations. The clinical trials currently in progress focus on delivery of optogenetic genes to ganglion cells. Delivery of optogenetic molecules to cells in the outer neural retina is predicted to be even more advantageous because it harnesses more of the retinal circuitry. However, this approach has not yet been tested in large animal models. For this reason, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of optogenetic therapy targeting remaining diseased cone photoreceptors in the Rcd1 dog model of retinitis pigmentosa. Methods Imaging and measures of retinal function and functional vision were carried out, as well as terminal studies evaluating multi-electrode array recordings and histology. Results Animals remained healthy and active throughout the study and showed improved retinal and visual function as assessed by electroretinography and visual-evoked potentials, improved navigational vision, and improved function of cone photoreceptors and the downstream retinal circuitry. Conclusions The findings demonstrate that an optogenetic approach targeting the outer retina in a blind large animal model can partially restore vision. Translational Relevance This work has translational relevance because the approach could potentially be extrapolated to treat humans who are totally blind because of retinal degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Nikonov
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Puya Aravand
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Arkady Lyubarsky
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Roman Nikonov
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Angela J. Luo
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhangyong Wei
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Albert M. Maguire
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas T. Phelps
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ivan Shpylchak
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Keirnan Willett
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tomas S. Aleman
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel M. Huckfeldt
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pavitra S. Ramachandran
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jean Bennett
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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27
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Rudnick ND, Kim LA, Comander J. Adeno-associated Viral Vectors in the Retina: Delivering Gene Therapy to the Right Destination. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2022; 62:215-229. [PMID: 35325920 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
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28
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Miyadera K, Santana E, Roszak K, Iffrig S, Visel M, Iwabe S, Boyd RF, Bartoe JT, Sato Y, Gray A, Ripolles-Garcia A, Dufour VL, Byrne LC, Flannery JG, Beltran WA, Aguirre GD. Targeting ON-bipolar cells by AAV gene therapy stably reverses LRIT3-congenital stationary night blindness. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2117038119. [PMID: 35316139 PMCID: PMC9060458 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117038119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SignificanceCanine models of inherited retinal diseases have helped advance adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies targeting specific cells in the outer retina for treating blinding diseases in patients. However, therapeutic targeting of diseases such as congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) that exhibit defects in ON-bipolar cells (ON-BCs) of the midretina remains underdeveloped. Using a leucine-rich repeat, immunoglobulin-like and transmembrane domain 3 (LRIT3) mutant canine model of CSNB exhibiting ON-BC dysfunction, we tested the ability of cell-specific AAV capsids and promotors to specifically target ON-BCs for gene delivery. Subretinal injection of one vector demonstrated safety and efficacy with robust and stable rescue of electroretinography signals and night vision up to 1 y, paving the way for clinical trials in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Miyadera
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Evelyn Santana
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Karolina Roszak
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Sommer Iffrig
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Meike Visel
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Simone Iwabe
- Ophthalmology Services, Charles River Laboratories, Mattawan, MI 49071
| | - Ryan F. Boyd
- Ophthalmology Services, Charles River Laboratories, Mattawan, MI 49071
| | - Joshua T. Bartoe
- Ophthalmology Services, Charles River Laboratories, Mattawan, MI 49071
| | - Yu Sato
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Alexa Gray
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Ana Ripolles-Garcia
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Valérie L. Dufour
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Leah C. Byrne
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - John G. Flannery
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - William A. Beltran
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Gustavo D. Aguirre
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Westhaus A, Cabanes Creus M, Jonker T, Sallard E, Navarro RG, Zhu E, Baltazar G, Lee S, Wilmott P, Gonzalez-Cordero A, Santilli G, Thrasher AJ, Alexander IE, Lisowski L. AAV-p40 bioengineering platform for variant selection based on transgene expression. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:664-682. [PMID: 35297686 PMCID: PMC10112876 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The power of AAV directed evolution for identifying novel vector variants with improved properties is well established, as evidenced by numerous publications reporting novel AAV variants. However, most capsid variants reported to date have been identified using either replication-competent selection platforms or PCR-based capsid DNA recovery methods, which can bias the selection towards efficient replication or unproductive intracellular trafficking, respectively. A central objective of this study was to validate a functional transduction (FT)-based method for rapid identification of novel AAV variants based on AAV capsid mRNA expression in target cells. We performed a comparison of the FT platform to existing replication competent strategies. Based on the selection kinetics and function of novel capsids identified in an in vivo screen in a xenograft model of human hepatocytes, we identified the mRNA-based FT selection as the most optimal AAV selection method. Lastly, to gain insight into the mRNA-based selection mechanism driven by the native AAV-p40 promoter, we studied its activity in a range of in vitro and in vivo targets. We found AAV-p40 to be a ubiquitously active promoter that can be modified for cell type-specific expression by incorporating binding sites for silencing transcription factors, allowing for cell-type-specific library selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Westhaus
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145;
| | - Marti Cabanes Creus
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Timo Jonker
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Erwan Sallard
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Renina Gale Navarro
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145;
| | - Erhua Zhu
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Gene Therapy Research Unit, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Grober Baltazar
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Scott Lee
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Patrick Wilmott
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, 214 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145;
| | - Anai Gonzalez-Cordero
- The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, 522555, Stem Cell & Organoid Facility and Stem Cell Medicine Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2145;
| | - Giorgia Santilli
- UCL-Institute of Child Health, Centre for Immunodeficiencies, 30 guilford street, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, WC1N 1EH;
| | - Adrian J Thrasher
- Institute of Child Health, London, UK, Molecular Immunology Unit, 30 guilford street, london, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, wc1n1eh;
| | - Ian Edward Alexander
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network and Children's Medical Research Institute, Corner Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth St, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145 Sydney;
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
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30
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Reh M, Lee M, Zeck G. Expression of Channelrhodopsin‐2 in Rod Bipolar Cells Restores ON and OFF Responses at High Spatial Resolution in Blind Mouse Retina. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Reh
- Neurophysics NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen 72770 Reutlingen Germany
- Graduate School of Neural Information Processing/ International Max Planck Research School Tübingen Germany
| | - Meng‐Jung Lee
- Neurophysics NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen 72770 Reutlingen Germany
- Graduate School of Neural Information Processing/ International Max Planck Research School Tübingen Germany
| | - Günther Zeck
- Neurophysics NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen 72770 Reutlingen Germany
- Institute of Biomedical Electronics TU Wien 1040 Vienna Austria
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31
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Bansal A, Shikha S, Zhang Y. Towards translational optogenetics. Nat Biomed Eng 2022; 7:349-369. [PMID: 35027688 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00829-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics is widely used to interrogate the neural circuits underlying disease and has most recently been harnessed for therapeutic applications. The optogenetic toolkit consists of light-responsive proteins that modulate specific cellular functions, vectors for the delivery of the transgenes that encode the light-responsive proteins to targeted cellular populations, and devices for the delivery of light of suitable wavelengths at effective fluence rates. A refined toolkit with a focus towards translational uses would include efficient and safer viral and non-viral gene-delivery vectors, increasingly red-shifted photoresponsive proteins, nanomaterials that efficiently transduce near-infrared light deep into tissue, and wireless implantable light-delivery devices that allow for spatiotemporally precise interventions at clinically relevant tissue depths. In this Review, we examine the current optogenetics toolkit and the most notable preclinical and translational uses of optogenetics, and discuss future methodological and translational developments and bottlenecks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Bansal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Swati Shikha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,NUS Suzhou Research Institute, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
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Provansal M, Marazova K, Sahel JA, Picaud S. Vision Restoration by Optogenetic Therapy and Developments Toward Sonogenetic Therapy. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:18. [PMID: 35024784 PMCID: PMC8762673 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.1.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
After revolutionizing neuroscience, optogenetic therapy has entered successfully in clinical trials for restoring vision to blind people with degenerative eye diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa. These clinical trials still have to evaluate the visual acuity achieved by patients and to determine if it reaches its theoretical limit extrapolated from ex vivo experiments. Different strategies are developed in parallel to reduce required light levels and improve information processing by targeting various cell types. For patients with vision loss due to optic atrophy, as in the case of glaucoma, optogenetic cortical stimulation is hampered by light absorption and scattering by the brain tissue. By contrast, ultrasound waves can diffuse widely through the dura mater and the brain tissue as indicated by ultrasound imaging. Based on our recent results in rodents, we propose the sonogenetic therapy relying on activation of the mechanosensitive channel as a very promising vision restoration strategy with a suitable spatiotemporal resolution. Genomic approaches may thus provide efficient brain machine interfaces for sight restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katia Marazova
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - José Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des XV-XX, Paris, France
| | - Serge Picaud
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
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Botto C, Dalkara D, El-Amraoui A. Progress in Gene Editing Tools and Their Potential for Correcting Mutations Underlying Hearing and Vision Loss. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:737632. [PMID: 34778871 PMCID: PMC8581640 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.737632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Blindness and deafness are the most frequent sensory disorders in humans. Whatever their cause - genetic, environmental, or due to toxic agents, or aging - the deterioration of these senses is often linked to irreversible damage to the light-sensing photoreceptor cells (blindness) and/or the mechanosensitive hair cells (deafness). Efforts are increasingly focused on preventing disease progression by correcting or replacing the blindness and deafness-causal pathogenic alleles. In recent years, gene replacement therapies for rare monogenic disorders of the retina have given positive results, leading to the marketing of the first gene therapy product for a form of childhood hereditary blindness. Promising results, with a partial restoration of auditory function, have also been reported in preclinical models of human deafness. Silencing approaches, including antisense oligonucleotides, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated microRNA delivery, and genome-editing approaches have also been applied to various genetic forms of blindness and deafness The discovery of new DNA- and RNA-based CRISPR/Cas nucleases, and the new generations of base, prime, and RNA editors offers new possibilities for directly repairing point mutations and therapeutically restoring gene function. Thanks to easy access and immune-privilege status of self-contained compartments, the eye and the ear continue to be at the forefront of developing therapies for genetic diseases. Here, we review the ongoing applications and achievements of this new class of emerging therapeutics in the sensory organs of vision and hearing, highlighting the challenges ahead and the solutions to be overcome for their successful therapeutic application in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Botto
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Aziz El-Amraoui
- Unit Progressive Sensory Disorders, Pathophysiology and Therapy, Institut Pasteur, Institut de l'Audition, Université de Paris, INSERM-UMRS1120, Paris, France
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Kralik J, Kleinlogel S. Functional Availability of ON-Bipolar Cells in the Degenerated Retina: Timing and Longevity of an Optogenetic Gene Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111515. [PMID: 34768944 PMCID: PMC8584043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Degenerative diseases of the retina are responsible for the death of photoreceptors and subsequent loss of vision in patients. Nevertheless, the inner retinal layers remain intact over an extended period of time, enabling the restoration of light sensitivity in blind retinas via the expression of optogenetic tools in the remaining retinal cells. The chimeric Opto-mGluR6 protein represents such a tool. With exclusive ON-bipolar cell expression, it combines the light-sensitive domains of melanopsin and the intracellular domains of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6), which naturally mediates light responses in these cells. Albeit vision restoration in blind mice by Opto-mGluR6 delivery was previously shown, much is left to be explored in regard to the effects of the timing of the treatment in the degenerated retina. We performed a functional evaluation of Opto-mGluR6-treated murine blind retinas using multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) and observed long-term functional preservation in the treated retinas, as well as successful therapeutical intervention in later stages of degeneration. Moreover, the treatment decreased the inherent retinal hyperactivity of the degenerated retinas to levels undistinguishable from healthy controls. Finally, we observed for the first time micro electroretinograms (mERGs) in optogenetically treated animals, corroborating the origin of Opto-mGluR6 signalling at the level of mGluR6 of ON-bipolar cells.
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Martinez Velazquez LA, Ballios BG. The Next Generation of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics for Inherited Retinal Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111542. [PMID: 34768969 PMCID: PMC8583900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are a diverse group of conditions that are often characterized by the loss of photoreceptors and blindness. Recent innovations in molecular biology and genomics have allowed us to identify the causative defects behind these dystrophies and to design therapeutics that target specific mechanisms of retinal disease. Recently, the FDA approved the first in vivo gene therapy for one of these hereditary blinding conditions. Current clinical trials are exploring new therapies that could provide treatment for a growing number of retinal dystrophies. While the field has had early success with gene augmentation strategies for treating retinal disease based on loss-of-function mutations, many novel approaches hold the promise of offering therapies that span the full spectrum of causative mutations and mechanisms. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the approaches currently in development including a discussion of retinal neuroprotection, gene therapies (gene augmentation, gene editing, RNA modification, optogenetics), and regenerative stem or precursor cell-based therapies. Our review focuses on technologies that are being developed for clinical translation or are in active clinical trials and discusses the advantages and limitations for each approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian G. Ballios
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3A9, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Van Gelder RN. Gene Therapy Approaches to Slow or Reverse Blindness From Inherited Retinal Degeneration: Growth Factors and Optogenetics. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2021; 61:209-228. [PMID: 34584058 PMCID: PMC8486303 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To date, clinical gene therapy efforts for inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) have focused largely on gene replacement. The large number of genes and alleles causing IRD, however, makes this approach practical only for the most common causes. Additionally, gene replacement therapy cannot reverse existing retinal degeneration. Viral-mediated gene therapy can be used for two other approaches to slow or reverse IRD. First, by driving intraocular expression of growth factors or neuroprotective proteins, retinal degeneration can be slowed. Second, by expressing light-sensitive proteins (either microbial channelopsins or mammalian G-protein coupled opsins) in preserved inner retinal neurons, light sensitivity can be restored to the blind retina. Both approaches have advanced substantially in the past decade, and both are nearing clinical tests. This review surveys recent progress in these approaches.
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Matsumoto A, Agbariah W, Nolte SS, Andrawos R, Levi H, Sabbah S, Yonehara K. Direction selectivity in retinal bipolar cell axon terminals. Neuron 2021; 109:2928-2942.e8. [PMID: 34390651 PMCID: PMC8478419 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The ability to encode the direction of image motion is fundamental to our sense of vision. Direction selectivity along the four cardinal directions is thought to originate in direction-selective ganglion cells (DSGCs) because of directionally tuned GABAergic suppression by starburst cells. Here, by utilizing two-photon glutamate imaging to measure synaptic release, we reveal that direction selectivity along all four directions arises earlier than expected at bipolar cell outputs. Individual bipolar cells contained four distinct populations of axon terminal boutons with different preferred directions. We further show that this bouton-specific tuning relies on cholinergic excitation from starburst cells and GABAergic inhibition from wide-field amacrine cells. DSGCs received both tuned directionally aligned inputs and untuned inputs from among heterogeneously tuned glutamatergic bouton populations. Thus, directional tuning in the excitatory visual pathway is incrementally refined at the bipolar cell axon terminals and their recipient DSGC dendrites by two different neurotransmitters co-released from starburst cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Matsumoto
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 8, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Weaam Agbariah
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Stella Solveig Nolte
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 8, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Rawan Andrawos
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Hadara Levi
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Shai Sabbah
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel.
| | - Keisuke Yonehara
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 8, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Cui S, Ganjawala TH, Abrams GW, Pan ZH. Effect of Proteasome Inhibitors on the AAV-Mediated Transduction Efficiency in Retinal Bipolar Cells. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 19:404-412. [PMID: 32072884 DOI: 10.2174/1566523220666200211111326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adeno-associated Virus (AAV) vectors are the most promising vehicles for therapeutic gene delivery to the retina. To develop a practical gene delivery tool, achieving high AAV transduction efficiency in specific cell types is often required. AAV-mediated targeted expression in retinal bipolar cells is needed in certain applications such as optogenetic therapy, however, the transduction efficiency driven by endogenous cell-specific promoters is usually low. Methods that can improve AAV transduction efficiency in bipolar cells need to be developed. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to examine the effect of proteasome inhibitors on AAV-mediated transduction efficiency in retinal bipolar cells. METHODS Quantitative analysis of fluorescent reporter protein expression was performed to assess the effect of two proteasome inhibitors, doxorubicin and MG132, on AAV-mediated transduction efficiency in retinal bipolar cells in mice. RESULTS Our results showed that doxorubicin can increase the AAV transduction efficiency in retinal bipolar cells in a dose-dependent manner. We also observed doxorubicin-mediated cytotoxicity in retinal neurons, but the cytotoxicity could be mitigated by the coapplication of dexrazoxane. Three months after the coapplication of doxorubicin (300 μM) and dexrazoxane, the AAV transduction efficiency in retinal bipolar cells increased by 33.8% and no cytotoxicity was observed in all the layers of the retina. CONCLUSION Doxorubicin could enhance the AAV transduction efficiency in retinal bipolar cells in vivo. The potential long-term cytotoxicity caused by doxorubicin to retinal neurons could be partially mitigated by dexrazoxane. The coapplication of doxorubicin and dexrazoxane may serve as a potential adjuvant regimen for improving AAV transduction efficiency in retinal bipolar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengjie Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States
| | - Tushar H Ganjawala
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States
| | - Gary W Abrams
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States
| | - Zhuo-Hua Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, United States
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Cowan CS, Renner M, De Gennaro M, Gross-Scherf B, Goldblum D, Hou Y, Munz M, Rodrigues TM, Krol J, Szikra T, Cuttat R, Waldt A, Papasaikas P, Diggelmann R, Patino-Alvarez CP, Galliker P, Spirig SE, Pavlinic D, Gerber-Hollbach N, Schuierer S, Srdanovic A, Balogh M, Panero R, Kusnyerik A, Szabo A, Stadler MB, Orgül S, Picelli S, Hasler PW, Hierlemann A, Scholl HPN, Roma G, Nigsch F, Roska B. Cell Types of the Human Retina and Its Organoids at Single-Cell Resolution. Cell 2021; 182:1623-1640.e34. [PMID: 32946783 PMCID: PMC7505495 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 104.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Human organoids recapitulating the cell-type diversity and function of their target organ are valuable for basic and translational research. We developed light-sensitive human retinal organoids with multiple nuclear and synaptic layers and functional synapses. We sequenced the RNA of 285,441 single cells from these organoids at seven developmental time points and from the periphery, fovea, pigment epithelium and choroid of light-responsive adult human retinas, and performed histochemistry. Cell types in organoids matured in vitro to a stable "developed" state at a rate similar to human retina development in vivo. Transcriptomes of organoid cell types converged toward the transcriptomes of adult peripheral retinal cell types. Expression of disease-associated genes was cell-type-specific in adult retina, and cell-type specificity was retained in organoids. We implicate unexpected cell types in diseases such as macular degeneration. This resource identifies cellular targets for studying disease mechanisms in organoids and for targeted repair in human retinas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron S Cowan
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Renner
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martina De Gennaro
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte Gross-Scherf
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Goldblum
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yanyan Hou
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Munz
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tiago M Rodrigues
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jacek Krol
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tamas Szikra
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rachel Cuttat
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Annick Waldt
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Panagiotis Papasaikas
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roland Diggelmann
- Bio Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia P Patino-Alvarez
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Galliker
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan E Spirig
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dinko Pavlinic
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Sven Schuierer
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aldin Srdanovic
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marton Balogh
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Riccardo Panero
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Akos Kusnyerik
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Arnold Szabo
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Michael B Stadler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Selim Orgül
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simone Picelli
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal W Hasler
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Hierlemann
- Bio Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik P N Scholl
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Guglielmo Roma
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Florian Nigsch
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Botond Roska
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
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Chen HY, Lehmann OJ, Swaroop A. Genetics and therapy for pediatric eye diseases. EBioMedicine 2021; 67:103360. [PMID: 33975254 PMCID: PMC8122153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular morphogenesis in vertebrates is a highly organized process, orchestrated largely by intrinsic genetic programs that exhibit stringent spatiotemporal control. Alternations in these genetic instructions can lead to hereditary or nonhereditary congenital disorders, a major cause of childhood visual impairment, and contribute to common late-onset blinding diseases. Currently, limited treatment options exist for clinical phenotypes involving eye development. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of early-onset ocular disorders and highlights genetic complexities in development and diseases, specifically focusing on coloboma, congenital glaucoma and Leber congenital amaurosis. We also discuss innovative paradigms for potential therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Y Chen
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA.
| | - Ordan J Lehmann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, MSC0610, 6 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA.
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Peters CW, Maguire CA, Hanlon KS. Delivering AAV to the Central Nervous and Sensory Systems. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:461-474. [PMID: 33863599 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As gene therapy enters mainstream medicine, it is more important than ever to have a grasp of exactly how to leverage it for maximum benefit. The development of new targeting strategies and tools makes treating patients with genetic diseases possible. Many Mendelian disorders are amenable to gene replacement or correction. These often affect post-mitotic tissues, meaning that a single stably expressing therapy can be applied. Recent years have seen the development of a large number of novel viral vectors for delivering specific therapies. These new vectors - predominately recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) variants - target nervous tissues with differing efficiencies. This review gives an overview of current gene therapies in the brain, ear, and eye, and describes the optimal approaches, depending on cell type and transgene. Overall, this work aims to serve as a primer for gene therapy in the central nervous and sensory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole W Peters
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Casey A Maguire
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Killian S Hanlon
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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Gilhooley MJ, Hickey DG, Lindner M, Palumaa T, Hughes S, Peirson SN, MacLaren RE, Hankins MW. ON-bipolar cell gene expression during retinal degeneration: Implications for optogenetic visual restoration. Exp Eye Res 2021; 207:108553. [PMID: 33811915 PMCID: PMC8214074 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108553] [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: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Retinal bipolar cells survive even in the later stages of inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) and so are attractive targets for optogenetic approaches to vision restoration. However, it is not known to what extent the remodelling that these cells undergo during degeneration affects their function. Specifically, it is unclear if they are free from metabolic stress, receptive to adeno-associated viral vectors, suitable for opsin-based optogenetic tools and able to propagate signals by releasing neurotransmitter. Methods Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) was performed to isolate labelled bipolar cells from dissociated retinae of litter-mates with or without the IRD mutation Pde6brd1/rd1 selectively expressing an enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) as a marker in ON-bipolar cells. Subsequent mRNA extraction allowed Illumina® microarray comparison of gene expression in bipolar cells from degenerate to those of wild type retinae. Changes in four candidate genes were further investigated at the protein level using retinal immunohistochemistry over the course of degeneration. Results A total of sixty differentially expressed transcripts reached statistical significance: these did not include any genes directly associated with native primary bipolar cell signalling, nor changes consistent with metabolic stress. Four significantly altered genes (Srm2, Slf2, Anxa7 & Cntn1), implicated in synaptic remodelling, neurotransmitter release and viral vector entry had immunohistochemical staining colocalising with ON-bipolar cell markers and varying over the course of degeneration. Conclusion Our findings suggest relatively few gene expression changes in the context of degeneration: that despite remodelling, bipolar cells are likely to remain viable targets for optogenetic vision restoration. In addition, several genes where changes were seen could provide a basis for investigations to enhance the efficacy of optogenetic therapies. Bipolar cells are attractive targets for therapeutic optogenetics in IRDs. This is the first cell specific transcriptomic analysis of bipolar cells in an IRD model. Bipolar cells maintain expression of genes essential to act as targets for optogenetics. Protein staining relating to four candidate genes (Anxa7, Cntn1, Srm2, Sulf2) is confirmed using immunohistochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Gilhooley
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom; The Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, United Kingdom
| | - Doron G Hickey
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom; Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, 002, Australia
| | - Moritz Lindner
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom; The Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom; Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Philipps University, Deutschhausstrasse 1-2, Marburg, 35037, Germany
| | - Teele Palumaa
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Hughes
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom; Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart N Peirson
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom; The Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, United Kingdom
| | - Mark W Hankins
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom; Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, United Kingdom.
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Murenu E, Pavlou M, Richter L, Rapti K, Just S, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J, Tafrishi N, Hayes A, Scholey R, Lucas R, Büning H, Grimm D, Michalakis S. A universal protocol for isolating retinal ON bipolar cells across species via fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 20:587-600. [PMID: 33665228 PMCID: PMC7895692 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are characterized by progressive degeneration and loss of light-sensing photoreceptors. The most promising therapeutic approach for IRDs is gene supplementation therapy using viral vectors, which requires the presence of viable photoreceptors at the time of intervention. At later disease stages, photoreceptors are lost and can no longer be rescued with this approach. For these patients, conferring light-sensing abilities to the remaining interneurons of the ON circuit (i.e., ON bipolar cells) using optogenetic tools poses an alternative treatment strategy. Such treatments, however, are hampered by the lack of efficient gene delivery tools targeting ON bipolar cells, which in turn rely on the effective isolation of these cells to facilitate tool development. Herein, we describe a method to selectively isolate ON bipolar cells via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), based on the expression of two intracellular markers. We show that the method is compatible with highly sensitive downstream analyses and suitable for the isolation of ON bipolar cells from healthy as well as degenerated mouse retinas. Moreover, we demonstrate that this approach works effectively using non-human primate (NHP) retinal tissue, thereby offering a reliable pipeline for universal screening strategies that do not require inter-species adaptations or transgenic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Murenu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Marina Pavlou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Richter
- Core Facility Flow Cytometry, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kleopatra Rapti
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Just
- Laboratory for Infection Biology and Gene Transfer, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University and Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Neda Tafrishi
- Core Facility Flow Cytometry, Gene Center, BioSysM, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Andrew Hayes
- Center for Biological Timing & School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Rachel Scholey
- Center for Biological Timing & School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Robert Lucas
- Center for Biological Timing & School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Laboratory for Infection Biology and Gene Transfer, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stylianos Michalakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
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AAV Induced Expression of Human Rod and Cone Opsin in Bipolar Cells of a Mouse Model of Retinal Degeneration. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1-8. [PMID: 35465048 PMCID: PMC7612646 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4014797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Vision loss caused by inherited retinal degeneration affects millions of people worldwide, and clinical trials involving gene supplementation strategies are ongoing for select forms of the disease. When early therapeutic intervention is not possible and patients suffer complete loss of their photoreceptor cells, there is an opportunity for vision restoration techniques, including optogenetic therapy. This therapy provides expression of light-sensitive molecules to surviving cell types of the retina, enabling light perception through residual neuronal pathways. To this end, the bipolar cells make an obvious optogenetic target to enable upstream processing of visual signal in the retina. However, while AAV transduction of the bipolar cells has been described, the expression of human opsins in these cell types within a model of retinal degeneration (rd1) has been less successful. In this study, we have expanded the optogenetic toolkit and shown successful expression of human rhodopsin driven by an ON-bipolar cell promoter (Grm6) in the rd1 mouse model using modified AAV capsids (AAV2.4YF, AAV8.BP2, and AAV2.7m8) delivered via intraocular injection. We also show the first presentation of ectopic expression of human cone opsin in the bipolar cells of rd1 mice. These data provide evidence of an expansion of the optogenetic toolkit with the potential to restore useful visual function, setting the stage for future trials in human patients.
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Maguire AM, Bennett J, Aleman EM, Leroy BP, Aleman TS. Clinical Perspective: Treating RPE65-Associated Retinal Dystrophy. Mol Ther 2021; 29:442-463. [PMID: 33278565 PMCID: PMC7854308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Until recently, there was no approved treatment for a retinal degenerative disease. Subretinal injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivering the normal copy of the human RPE65 cDNA led to reversal of blindness first in animal models and then in humans. This led to the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved gene therapy product for a genetic disease, voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (Luxturna). Luxturna was then approved by the European Medicines Association and is now available in the US through Spark Therapeutics and worldwide through Novartis. Not only has treatment with Luxturna changed the lives of people previously destined to live a life of blindness, but it has fueled interest in developing additional gene therapy reagents targeting numerous other genetic forms of inherited retinal disease. This review describes many of the considerations for administration of Luxturna and describes how lessons from experience with Luxturna could lead to additional gene-based treatments of blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert M Maguire
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT), Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jean Bennett
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT), Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elena M Aleman
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT), Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bart P Leroy
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT), Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tomas S Aleman
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT), Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Lindner M, Gilhooley MJ, Peirson SN, Hughes S, Hankins MW. The functional characteristics of optogenetic gene therapy for vision restoration. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:1597-1613. [PMID: 32728765 PMCID: PMC7904736 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03597-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetic strategies to restore vision in patients blind from end-stage retinal degenerations aim to render remaining retinal neurons light-sensitive. We present an innovative combination of multi-electrode array recordings together with a complex pattern-generating light source as a toolset to determine the extent to which neural retinal responses to complex light stimuli can be restored following viral delivery of red-shifted channelrhodopsin in the retinally degenerated mouse. Our data indicate that retinal output level spatiotemporal response characteristics achieved by optogenetic gene therapy closely parallel those observed for normal mice but equally reveal important limitations, some of which could be mitigated using bipolar-cell targeted gene-delivery approaches. As clinical trials are commencing, these data provide important new information on the capacity and limitations of channelrhodopsin-based gene therapies. The toolset we established enables comparing optogenetic constructs and stem-cell-based techniques, thereby providing an efficient and sensitive starting point to identify future approaches for vision restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Lindner
- The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Neurophysiology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Michael J Gilhooley
- The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Department of Neuroophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Stuart N Peirson
- The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Steven Hughes
- The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mark W Hankins
- The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Ocular delivery of CRISPR/Cas genome editing components for treatment of eye diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 168:181-195. [PMID: 32603815 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A variety of inherited or multifactorial ocular diseases call for novel treatment paradigms. The newly developed genome editing technology, CRISPR, has shown great promise in treating these diseases, but delivery of the CRISPR/Cas components to target ocular tissues and cells requires appropriate use of vectors and routes of administration to ensure safety, efficacy and specificity. Although adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are thus far the most commonly used tool for ocular gene delivery, sustained expression of CRISPR/Cas components may cause immune reactions and an increased risk of off-target editing. In this review, we summarize the ocular administration routes and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of viral and non-viral vectors for delivery of CRISPR/Cas components to the eye. We review the existing studies of CRISPR/Cas genome editing for ocular diseases and discuss the major challenges of the technology in ocular applications. We also discuss the most recently developed CRISPR tools such as base editing and prime editing which may be used for future ocular applications.
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48
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Rodríguez-Márquez E, Meumann N, Büning H. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid engineering in liver-directed gene therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 21:749-766. [PMID: 33331201 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1865303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Gene therapy clinical trials with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors report impressive clinical efficacy data. Nevertheless, challenges have become apparent, such as the need for high vector doses and the induction of anti-AAV immune responses that cause the loss of vector-transduced hepatocytes. This fostered research focusing on development of next-generation AAV vectors capable of dealing with these hurdles.Areas Covered: While both the viral vector genome and the capsid are subjects to engineering, this review focuses on the latter. Specifically, we summarize the principles of capsid engineering strategies, and describe developments and applications of engineered capsid variants for liver-directed gene therapy.Expert Opinion: Capsid engineering is a promising strategy to significantly improve efficacy of the AAV vector system in clinical application. Reduction in vector dose will further improve vector safety, lower the risk of host immune responses and the cost of manufacturing. Capsid engineering is also expected to result in AAV vectors applicable to patients with preexisting immunity toward natural AAV serotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Rodríguez-Márquez
- Universidad Autónoma De Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nadja Meumann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
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McClements ME, Staurenghi F, MacLaren RE, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J. Optogenetic Gene Therapy for the Degenerate Retina: Recent Advances. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:570909. [PMID: 33262683 PMCID: PMC7686539 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.570909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The degeneration of light-detecting rod and cone photoreceptors in the human retina leads to severe visual impairment and ultimately legal blindness in millions of people worldwide. Multiple therapeutic options at different stages of degeneration are being explored but the majority of ongoing clinical trials involve adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-based gene supplementation strategies for select forms of inherited retinal disease. Over 300 genes are associated with inherited retinal degenerations and only a small proportion of these will be suitable for gene replacement therapy. However, while the origins of disease may vary, there are considerable similarities in the physiological changes that occur in the retina. When early therapeutic intervention is not possible and patients suffer loss of photoreceptor cells but maintain remaining layers of cells in the neural retina, there is an opportunity for a universal gene therapy approach that can be applied regardless of the genetic origin of disease. Optogenetic therapy offers such a strategy by aiming to restore vision though the provision of light-sensitive molecules to surviving cell types of the retina that enable light perception through the residual neurons. Here we review the recent progress in attempts to restore visual function to the degenerate retina using optogenetic therapy. We focus on multiple pre-clinical models used in optogenetic strategies, discuss their strengths and limitations, and highlight considerations including vector and transgene designs that have advanced the field into two ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E. McClements
- Nuffield Laboratory Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Staurenghi
- Nuffield Laboratory Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E. MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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50
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Ducloyer JB, Le Meur G, Cronin T, Adjali O, Weber M. La thérapie génique des rétinites pigmentaires héréditaires. Med Sci (Paris) 2020; 36:607-615. [DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2020095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Les rétinites pigmentaires, ou dystrophies rétiniennes héréditaires, sont des maladies dégénératives cécitantes d’origine génétique. La thérapie génique est une approche révolutionnaire en plein essor qui ouvre la voie au traitement de maladies jusqu’ici incurables. Une thérapie génique, le Luxturna®, a obtenu une autorisation de mise sur le marché par la FDA (Food and Drug Administration) fin 2017 et l’EMA (European Medicines Agency) fin 2018. Ce traitement, à l’efficacité démontrée, destiné aux patients porteurs d’une amaurose congénitale de Leber ou d’une rétinopathie pigmentaire en lien avec une mutation bi-allélique du gène RPE65, apporte beaucoup plus de questions que de réponses. Nous présentons, dans cette revue, les avancées actuelles, puis les défis technologiques, économiques et éthiques à surmonter pour que la thérapie génique améliore nos pratiques médicales.
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