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Huang XX, Wang YM, Xie MY, Sun YQ, Zhao XH, Chen YH, Chen JQ, Han SY, Zhou MW, Sun XD. Publication trends of Leber congenital amaurosis researches: a bibliometric study during 2002-2022. Int J Ophthalmol 2024; 17:1501-1509. [PMID: 39156783 PMCID: PMC11286431 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2024.08.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM To analyze the changes in scientific output relating to Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and forecast the study trends in this field. METHODS All of the publications in the field of LCA from 2002 to 2022 were collected from Web of Science (WOS) database. We analyzed the quantity (number of publications), quality (citation and H-index) and development trends (relative research interest, RRI) of published LCA research over the last two decades. Moreover, VOSviewer software was applied to define the co-occurrence network of keywords in this field. RESULTS A total of 2158 publications were ultimately examined. We found that the focus on LCA kept rising and peaked in 2015 and 2018, which is consistent with the development trend of gene therapy. The USA has contributed most to this field with 1162 publications, 56 674 citations and the highest H-index value (116). The keywords analysis was divided into five clusters to show the hotspots in the field of LCA, namely mechanism-related, genotype-related, local phenotype-related, system phenotype-related, and therapy-related. We also identified gene therapy and anti-retinal degeneration therapy as a major focus in recent years. CONCLUSION Our study illustrates historical research process and future development trends in LCA field. This may help to guide the orientation for further clinical diagnosis, treatment and scientific research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xu Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Disease, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yi-Min Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Min-Yue Xie
- Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100054, China
| | - Yi-Qing Sun
- Eberly College of Science, Penn State University, University Park 16802-1503, United States
| | - Xiao-Huan Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Disease, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yu-Hong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Disease, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Jie-Qiong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Disease, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Si-Yang Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Disease, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Min-Wen Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Disease, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Eye Disease, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai 200080, China
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Yin GS, Shao Z, Faghfoury H, Ballios BG. Streamlined Ophthalmologist-Led Pathway to Diagnosis and Accessibility of Genetics Testing for Patients with Inherited Retinal Dystrophies in Canada. Ophthalmol Retina 2024:S2468-6530(24)00367-1. [PMID: 39154861 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2024.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ability of a new clinical model to improve accessibility and expedite the pathway to molecular diagnosis for patients with suspected inherited retinal diseases (IRD). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of electronic patient records. PARTICIPANTS All patients referred to general medical genetic clinic between September 2017 to September 2019 and an ophthalmologist-led IRD clinic between October 2021 to July 2023 for suspected IRD were included. METHODS The difference in timeliness and accessibility to diagnosis and genetics testing for patients referred for suspected IRDs were compared based on whether they were referred to general medical genetics clinic or an ophthalmologist-led IRD clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcomes were time to consult from referral; time from initial consult to molecular diagnosis; and the time from initial consult to genetics result disclosure and counseling. Secondary outcomes included number of prior providers investigating the chief complaint; the proportion of patients undergoing genetics testing; and the range of diagnostic investigations undertaken. RESULTS 473 patients were included, with 212 cases from general medical genetics clinic and 261 from medical retina clinic. The mean time from referral to initial consult was 14 months (±3.33 months) and 4 months (±3.4 months) for general medical genetics and the ophthalmologist-led IRD clinic respectively. The mean time from initial consult to genetics disclosure and counselling was 6 months (±3.6 months) and 3.5 months (±1.8 months) for medical genetics and the ophthalmologist-led model respectively. The total time from initial referral to genetics disclosure and counselling for the medical geneticist-led clinic model was 20-24 months. The total time from initial referral to genetics disclosure and counselling for ophthalmologist-led retinal clinic was 5-8 months. The average number of prior providers seen prior to presenting to ophthalmologist-led retina clinic was 2.05 (range 1-10). CONCLUSIONS Shifting from the traditional medical genetics model to the new ophthalmologist-led IRD clinical model may improve accessibility and expedite the pathway to molecular diagnosis and subsequent gene therapy trials for patients with suspected IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace S Yin
- Queen's University School of Medicine, Queen's University, ON, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhuo Shao
- Genetics Program, North York General Hospital, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hanna Faghfoury
- Fred A. Litwin and Family Center in Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brian G Ballios
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Kensington Vision & Research Centre, Kensington Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Harisa GI, Faris TM, Sherif AY, Alzhrani RF, Alanazi SA, Kohaf NA, Alanazi FK. Coding Therapeutic Nucleic Acids from Recombinant Proteins to Next-Generation Vaccines: Current Uses, Limitations, and Future Horizons. Mol Biotechnol 2024; 66:1853-1871. [PMID: 37578574 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00821-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to highlight the potential use of cTNAs in therapeutic applications. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant use of coding therapeutic nucleic acids (cTNAs) in terms of DNA and mRNA in the development of vaccines. The use of cTNAs resulted in a paradigm shift in the therapeutic field. However, the injection of DNA or mRNA into the human body transforms cells into biological factories to produce the necessary proteins. Despite the success of cTNAs in the production of corona vaccines, they have several limitations such as instability, inability to cross biomembranes, immunogenicity, and the possibility of integration into the human genome. The chemical modification and utilization of smart drug delivery cargoes resolve cTNAs therapeutic problems. The success of cTNAs in corona vaccine production provides perspective for the eradication of influenza viruses, Zika virus, HIV, respiratory syncytial virus, Ebola virus, malaria, and future pandemics by quick vaccine design. Moreover, the progress cTNAs technology is promising for the development of therapy for genetic disease, cancer therapy, and currently incurable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamaleldin I Harisa
- Kayyali Chair for Pharmaceutical Industry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2457, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Tarek M Faris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelrahman Y Sherif
- Kayyali Chair for Pharmaceutical Industry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2457, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Riyad F Alzhrani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2457, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Nanobiotechnology Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A Alanazi
- Pharmaceutical Care Services, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Science Collage of Pharmacy, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Neveen A Kohaf
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11651, Egypt
| | - Fars K Alanazi
- Kayyali Chair for Pharmaceutical Industry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2457, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Reyna-Fabián ME, Fernández-Hernández L, Enríquez-Flores S, Apam-Garduño D, Prado-Larrea C, Seo GH, Khang R, Cortés-González V. Deciphering the etiology of undiagnosed ocular anomalies along with systemic alterations in pediatric patients through whole exome sequencing. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14380. [PMID: 38909058 PMCID: PMC11193775 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65227-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited and developmental eye diseases are quite diverse and numerous, and determining their genetic cause is challenging due to their high allelic and locus heterogeneity. New molecular approaches, such as whole exome sequencing (WES), have proven to be powerful molecular tools for addressing these cases. The present study used WES to identify the genetic etiology in ten unrelated Mexican pediatric patients with complex ocular anomalies and other systemic alterations of unknown etiology. The WES approach allowed us to identify five clinically relevant variants in the GZF1, NFIX, TRRAP, FGFR2 and PAX2 genes associated with Larsen, Malan, developmental delay with or without dysmorphic facies and autism, LADD1 and papillorenal syndromes. Mutations located in GZF1 and NFIX were classified as pathogenic, those in TRRAP and FGFR2 were classified as likely pathogenic variants, and those in PAX2 were classified as variants of unknown significance. Protein modeling of the two missense FGFR2 p.(Arg210Gln) and PAX2 p.(Met3Thr) variants showed that these changes could induce potential structural alterations in important functional regions of the proteins. Notably, four out of the five variants were not previously reported, except for the TRRAP gene. Consequently, WES enabled the identification of the genetic cause in 40% of the cases reported. All the syndromes reported herein are very rare, with phenotypes that may overlap with other genetic entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam E Reyna-Fabián
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Subdirección de Investigación Médica, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Liliana Fernández-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Subdirección de Investigación Médica, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sergio Enríquez-Flores
- Laboratorio de Biomoléculas y Salud Infantil, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, México
| | - David Apam-Garduño
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, México
- Departamento de Genética, Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera en México, Vicente García Torres No. 46 Barrio San Lucas, Coyoacán, C.P. 04030, Mexico City, México
| | - Carolina Prado-Larrea
- Departamento de Glaucoma, Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera en México, Mexico City, México
| | - Go Hun Seo
- Medical Genetics Division, 3Billion, Inc., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Rin Khang
- Medical Genetics Division, 3Billion, Inc., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Vianney Cortés-González
- Departamento de Genética, Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera en México, Vicente García Torres No. 46 Barrio San Lucas, Coyoacán, C.P. 04030, Mexico City, México.
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Chan J, Holdstock J, Shovelton J, Reid J, Speight G, Molha D, Pullabhatla V, Carpenter S, Uddin E, Washio T, Sato H, Izumi Y, Watanabe R, Niiro H, Fukushima Y, Ashida N, Hirose T, Maeda A. Clinical and analytical validation of an 82-gene comprehensive genome-profiling panel for identifying and interpreting variants responsible for inherited retinal dystrophies. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305422. [PMID: 38870140 PMCID: PMC11175448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305422] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies comprise a clinically complex and heterogenous group of diseases characterized by visual impairment due to pathogenic variants of over 300 different genes. Accurately identifying the causative gene and associated variant is crucial for the definitive diagnosis and subsequent selection of precise treatments. Consequently, well-validated genetic tests are required in the clinical practice. Here, we report the analytical and clinical validation of a next-generation sequencing targeted gene panel, the PrismGuide IRD Panel System. This system enables comprehensive genome profiling of 82 genes related to inherited retinal dystrophies. The PrismGuide IRD Panel System demonstrated 100% (n = 43) concordance with Sanger sequencing in detecting single-nucleotide variants, small insertions, and small deletions in the target genes and also in assessing their zygosity. It also identified copy-number loss in four out of five cases. When assessing precision, we evaluated the reproducibility of variant detection with 2,160 variants in 144 replicates and found 100% agreement in terms of single-nucleotide variants (n = 1,584) and small insertions and deletions (n = 576). Furthermore, the PrismGuide IRD Panel System generated sufficient read depth for variant calls across the purine-rich and highly repetitive open-reading frame 15 region of RPGR and detected all five variants tested. These results show that the PrismGuide IRD Panel System can accurately and consistently detect single-nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions. Thus, the PrismGuide IRD Panel System could serve as useful tool that is applicable in clinical practice for identifying the causative genes based on the detection and interpretation of variants in patients with inherited retinal dystrophies and can contribute to a precise molecular diagnosis and targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Chan
- Oxford Gene Technology Operations Limited, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Jolyon Holdstock
- Oxford Gene Technology Operations Limited, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - John Shovelton
- Oxford Gene Technology Operations Limited, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - James Reid
- Oxford Gene Technology Operations Limited, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Speight
- Oxford Gene Technology Operations Limited, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Duarte Molha
- Oxford Gene Technology Operations Limited, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Venu Pullabhatla
- Oxford Gene Technology Operations Limited, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Carpenter
- Oxford Gene Technology Operations Limited, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Ezam Uddin
- Oxford Gene Technology Operations Limited, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Takanori Washio
- Life Innovation Center, Riken Genesis Co. LTD, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Division of Clinical Cancer Genomics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hiroko Sato
- Life Innovation Center, Riken Genesis Co. LTD, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuuki Izumi
- Technology Innovation, Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Reiko Watanabe
- Medical & Scientific Affairs, Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hayato Niiro
- Medical & Scientific Affairs, Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | | | - Naoko Ashida
- Medical & Scientific Affairs, Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Takashi Hirose
- Medical & Scientific Affairs, Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Akiko Maeda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe City Eye Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
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6
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Moseley J, Leest T, Larsson K, Magrelli A, Stoyanova-Beninska V. Inherited retinal dystrophies and orphan designations in the European Union. Eur J Ophthalmol 2024:11206721241236214. [PMID: 38500388 DOI: 10.1177/11206721241236214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Inherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRD) are diverse rare diseases that affect the retina and lead to visual impairment or blindness. Research in this field is ongoing, with over 60 EU orphan medicinal products designated in this therapeutic area by the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) at the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Up to now, COMP has used traditional disease terms, like retinitis pigmentosa, for orphan designation regardless of the product's mechanism of action. The COMP reviewed the designation approach for IRDs taking into account all previous Orphan Designations (OD) experience in IRDs, the most relevant up to date scientific literature and input from patients and clinical experts. Following the review, the COMP decided that there should be three options available for orphan designation concerning the condition: i) an amended set of OD groups for therapies that might be used in a broad spectrum of conditions, ii) a gene-specific designation for targeted therapies, and iii) an occasional term for products that do not fit in the above two categories. The change in the approach to orphan designation in IRDs caters for different scenarios to allow an optimum approach for future OD applications including the option of a gene-specific designation. By applying this new approach, the COMP increases the regulatory clarity, efficiency, and predictability for sponsors, aligns EU regulatory tools with the latest scientific and medical developments in the field of IRDs, and ensures that all potentially treatable patients will be included in the scope of an OD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Moseley
- European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Leest
- Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products at the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Armando Magrelli
- Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products at the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Violeta Stoyanova-Beninska
- Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products at the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB), Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Fischer MD, Simonelli F, Sahni J, Holz FG, Maier R, Fasser C, Suhner A, Stiehl DP, Chen B, Audo I, Leroy BP. Real-World Safety and Effectiveness of Voretigene Neparvovec: Results up to 2 Years from the Prospective, Registry-Based PERCEIVE Study. Biomolecules 2024; 14:122. [PMID: 38254722 PMCID: PMC10813228 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Voretigene neparvovec (VN) is the first available gene therapy for patients with biallelic RPE65-mediated inherited retinal dystrophy who have sufficient viable retinal cells. PERCEIVE is an ongoing, post-authorization, prospective, multicenter, registry-based observational study and is the largest study assessing the real-world, long-term safety and effectiveness of VN. Here, we present the outcomes of 103 patients treated with VN according to local prescribing information. The mean (SD) age was 19.5 (10.85) years, 52 (50.5%) were female, and the mean (SD) duration of the follow up was 0.8 (0.64) years (maximum: 2.3 years). Thirty-five patients (34%) experienced ocular treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), most frequently related to chorioretinal atrophy (n = 13 [12.6%]). Eighteen patients (17.5%; 24 eyes [13.1%]) experienced ocular TEAEs of special interest, including intraocular inflammation and/or infection related to the procedure (n = 7). The mean (SD) changes from baseline in full-field light-sensitivity threshold testing (white light) at month 1, month 6, year 1, and year 2 were -16.59 (13.48) dB (51 eyes), -18.24 (14.62) dB (42 eyes), -15.84 (14.10) dB (10 eyes), and -13.67 (22.62) dB (13 eyes), respectively. The change in visual acuity from baseline was not clinically significant. Overall, the outcomes of the PERCEIVE study are consistent with the findings of VN pivotal clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Dominik Fischer
- Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Jayashree Sahni
- Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (J.S.); (A.S.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Frank G. Holz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Rainer Maier
- Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (J.S.); (A.S.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Christina Fasser
- Retina International, D02 TW98 Dublin, Ireland; Retina Suisse, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Andrea Suhner
- Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (J.S.); (A.S.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Daniel P. Stiehl
- Novartis Pharma AG, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; (J.S.); (A.S.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Bee Chen
- Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, East Hanover, NJ 7936, USA;
| | - Isabelle Audo
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France;
- 15–20 Hôpital National de la Vision, National Rare Disease Center REFERET, INSERM-DGOS CIC1423, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Bart P. Leroy
- Department of Ophthalmology & Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University & Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Tavares e Silva J, Pessoa J, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Bernardes de Jesus B. The Impact of Long Noncoding RNAs in Tissue Regeneration and Senescence. Cells 2024; 13:119. [PMID: 38247811 PMCID: PMC10814083 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020119] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Overcoming senescence with tissue engineering has a promising impact on multiple diseases. Here, we provide an overview of recent studies in which cellular senescence was inhibited through the up/downregulation of specific lncRNAs. This approach prevented senescence in the bones, joints, nervous system, heart, and blood vessels, with a potential impact on regeneration and the prevention of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, as well as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Senescence of the skin and liver could also be prevented through the regulation of cellular levels of specific lncRNAs, resulting in the rejuvenation of cells from these organs and their potential protection from disease. From these exciting achievements, which support tissue regeneration and are not restricted to stem cells, we propose lncRNA regulation through RNA or gene therapies as a prospective preventive and therapeutic approach against aging and multiple aging-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (J.T.e.S.); (J.P.); (S.N.-P.)
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Liu Y, Tai J, Yu C, Xu D, Xiao D, Pang J. Unlocking therapeutic potential: dual gene therapy for ameliorating the disease phenotypes in a mouse model of RPE65 Leber congenital amaurosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 10:1291795. [PMID: 38264046 PMCID: PMC10803578 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1291795] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is the most common genetic cause of congenital visual impairment in infants and children. Patients with LCA who harbor RPE65 mutations exhibit a deficiency in photoreceptor rhodopsin, leading to severe night blindness and visual impairment following birth. Since either gene replacement therapy or anti-apoptosis therapy alone cannot maintain both functional and morphological normality for a long time in the animal model, we propose a robust treatment strategy, that is, gene replacement therapy combined with anti-apoptotic therapy to protect photoreceptors from further degeneration while compensating for lost RPE65 function. Here, rd12 mice were injected subretinally at postnatal day 14 with four vector administrations, respectively. At 6 months after treatment, it was discovered that injection of three vectors, AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65, AAV8(Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65-BCL-2-L10 and mixture of half-dose AAV8(Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65 and half-dose AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-BCL-2-L10, could partially restore the visual function of rd12 mice. Meanwhile, these treated eyes also exhibited a thicker outer nuclear layer (ONL) structure. However, despite the fact that the eyes of rd12 mice injected with the AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-BCL-2-L10 vector displayed a slightly thicker ONL structure compared to untreated eyes, the visual function of the treated eyes did not recover. Continuing the observation period to 12 months after treatment, we found that compared to rd12 mice at 6-month post-treatment, rd12 mice injected with AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65 or mixture of half-dose AAV8(Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65 and half-dose AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-BCL-2-L10 exhibited varying degrees of decline in both visual function and ONL thickness. However, in the case of rd12 mice injected with the AAV8(Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65-BCL-2-L10 vector, the ONL thickness remains consistent at both 6 and 12 months after treatment. These mice continued to maintain a relatively strong visual function and showed restoration in the levels of RPE65 and Rhodopsin protein expression. Our findings illustrate that early postnatal treatment with AAV vectors containing both the hRPE65 gene and the Bcl-2L10 anti-apoptotic gene provide enhanced and sustained retinal protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbo Liu
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jingjie Tai
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chaofeng Yu
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Shenyang Weijing Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Xiao
- Xiamen University Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen, China
| | - Jijing Pang
- Shenyang Weijing Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shenyang, China
- Xiamen University Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen, China
- Shenyang He Eye Specialist Hospital, Shenyang, China
- Institute of Innovation Research for Precision Medical Treatment, He University, Shenyang, China
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10
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Schäfer-Korting M. Looking to the Future: Drug Delivery and Targeting in the Prophylaxis and Therapy of Severe and Chronic Diseases. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2024; 284:389-411. [PMID: 37861719 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
High molecular weight actives and cell-based therapy have the potential to revolutionize the prophylaxis and therapy of severe diseases. Yet, the size and nature of the agents - proteins, nucleic acids, cells - challenge drug delivery and thus formulation development. Moreover, off-target effects may result in severe adverse drug reactions. This makes delivery and targeting an essential component of high-end drug development. Loading to nanoparticles facilitates delivery and enables targeted mRNA vaccines and tumor therapeutics. Stem cell therapy opens up a new horizon in diabetes type 1 among other domains which may enhance the quality of life and life expectancy. Cell encapsulation protects transplants against the recipient's immune system, may ensure long-term efficacy, avoid severe adverse reactions, and simplify the management of rare and fatal diseases.The knowledge gained so far encourages to widen the spectrum of potential indications. Co-development of the active agent and the vehicle has the potential to accelerate drug research. One recommended starting point is the use of computational approaches. Transferability of preclinical data to humans will benefit from performing studies first on validated human 3D disease models reflecting the target tissue, followed by studies on validated animal models. This makes approaching a new level in drug development a multidisciplinary but ultimately worthwhile and attainable challenge. Intense monitoring of the patients after drug approval and periodic reporting to physicians and scientists remain essential for the safe use of drugs especially in rare diseases and pave future research.
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11
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Qin Y, Ou L, Zha L, Zeng Y, Li L. Delivery of nucleic acids using nanomaterials. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:48. [PMID: 38092998 PMCID: PMC10719232 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00160-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of approved nucleic acid therapeutics demonstrates the potential for the prevention and treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases. This trend underscores the significant impact and promise of nucleic acid-based treatments in the field of medicine. Nevertheless, employing nucleic acids as therapeutics is challenging due to their susceptibility to degradation by nucleases and their unfavorable physicochemical characteristics that hinder delivery into cells. Appropriate vectors play a pivotal role in improving nucleic acid stability and delivering nucleic acids into specific cells. The maturation of delivery systems has led to breakthroughs in the development of therapeutics based on nucleic acids such as DNA, siRNA, and mRNA. Non-viral vectors have gained prominence among the myriad of nanomaterials due to low immunogenicity, ease of manufacturing, and simplicity of cost-effective, large-scale production. Here, we provide an overview of the recent advancements in nanomaterials for nucleic acid delivery. Specifically, we give a detailed introduction to the characteristics of polymers, lipids, and polymer-lipid hybrids, and provide comprehensive descriptions of their applications in nucleic acid delivery. Also, biological barriers, administration routes, and strategies for organ-selective delivery of nucleic acids are discussed. In summary, this review offers insights into the rational design of next-generation delivery vectors for nucleic acid delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Qin
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liyuan Ou
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lili Zha
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yue Zeng
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ling Li
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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12
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Iga Y, Hasegawa T, Ikeda HO, Hirota Y, Miyata M, Numa S, Otsuka Y, Tsujikawa A. Progression of retinitis pigmentosa on static perimetry, optical coherence tomography, and fundus autofluorescence. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22040. [PMID: 38086860 PMCID: PMC10716373 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49338-0] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In retinitis pigmentosa (RP), photoreceptor degeneration leads to progressive visual field loss and visual impairment. Several therapeutic trials are ongoing aiming to establish effective treatments. Although functional evaluations are commonly used in clinical trials, residual ellipsoid zone (EZ) measurement on optical coherence tomography has been shown to be more sensitive to detect disease progression. Establishment of sensitive outcome measurement is essential to develop new therapeutic strategies. In the current study, we evaluated the progression rates of the disease in 76 eyes of 76 patients with RP, using the residual EZ length, ring-shaped macular hyperautofluorescent (AF), and visual field. Decrease rates measured by the residual EZ area and by the hyper-AF ring area were strongly positively correlated (P < 0.0001, r = 0.71). The reduction rates of the residual EZ length and hyper-AF ring radius were constant regardless of their baseline measurements. Faster annual reduction rates of the hyper-AF ring area or radius were significantly correlated with faster visual field progression (P = 0.03, r = 0.25 and P = 0.004, r = 0.33, respectively). These findings support the usage of morphological measurements such as EZ or hyper-AF ring measurements as outcome measurement for future clinical trials for RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhei Iga
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shougoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tomoko Hasegawa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shougoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hanako Ohashi Ikeda
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shougoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Yoshimichi Hirota
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shougoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Manabu Miyata
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shougoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Shogo Numa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shougoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yuki Otsuka
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shougoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akitaka Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shougoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
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13
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Zhang Y, Han R, Xu S, Chen J, Zhong Y. Matrix Metalloproteinases in Glaucoma: An Updated Overview. Semin Ophthalmol 2023; 38:703-712. [PMID: 37224230 DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2023.2211149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important regulators of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and are involved in many stages of cellular growth and development. An imbalance of MMP expression is also the basis of many diseases, including eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, dry eye, corneal ulcer, keratoconus. This paper describes the role of MMPs in the glaucoma and their role in the glaucomatous trabecular meshwork (TM), aqueous outflow channel, retina, and optic nerve (ON). This review also summarizes several treatments for glaucoma that target MMPs imbalance and suggests that MMPs may represent a viable therapeutic target for glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruiqi Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shushu Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yisheng Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
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14
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Ma H, Wei H, Zou C, Zhu G, Gao Q, Zhang N, Wang B. Anti-VEGF Drugs in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Focus on Dosing Regimen-Related Safety and Efficacy. Drugs Aging 2023; 40:991-1007. [PMID: 37863867 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-023-01068-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main causes of visual impairment and severe visual loss, and can progress to two advanced forms-neovascularization and atrophic. The field of anti-AMD drugs has undergone huge developments in recent years, from single-target intravitreal administration to current clinical studies with multi-target and non-invasive agents, offering interesting new pharmacological opportunities for the treatment of this disease. Hence, we summarize some of the approved anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs for neovascular AMD, especially their structural characteristics, clinical manifestations, dosing regimens, and safety issues of the anti-VEGF drugs highlighted. In addition, advances in atrophic AMD drug research are also briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibei Ma
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai Wei
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunpu Zou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoqin Zhu
- SPH Xingling Sci. & Tech. Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Gao
- SPH Xingling Sci. & Tech. Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China.
| | - Ning Zhang
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cai-lun Rd, Shanghai, China.
| | - Bing Wang
- Center for Pharmaceutics Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Hai-ke Rd, Shanghai, China.
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15
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Matsevich C, Gopalakrishnan P, Chang N, Obolensky A, Beryozkin A, Salameh M, Kostic C, Sharon D, Arsenijevic Y, Banin E. Gene augmentation therapy attenuates retinal degeneration in a knockout mouse model of Fam161a retinitis pigmentosa. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2948-2961. [PMID: 37580905 PMCID: PMC10556223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptor cell degeneration and death is the major hallmark of a wide group of human blinding diseases including age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. In recent years, inherited retinal diseases have become the "testing ground" for novel therapeutic modalities, including gene and cell-based therapies. Currently there is no available treatment for retinitis pigmentosa caused by FAM161A biallelic pathogenic variants. In this study, we injected an adeno-associated virus encoding for the longer transcript of mFam161a into the subretinal space of P24-P29 Fam161a knockout mice to characterize the safety and efficacy of gene augmentation therapy. Serial in vivo assessment of retinal function and structure at 3, 6, and 8 months of age using the optomotor response test, full-field electroretinography, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography imaging as well as ex vivo quantitative histology and immunohistochemical studies revealed a significant structural and functional rescue effect in treated eyes accompanied by expression of the FAM161A protein in photoreceptors. The results of this study may serve as an important step toward future application of gene augmentation therapy in FAM161A-deficient patients by identifying a promising isoform to rescue photoreceptors and their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Matsevich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Ning Chang
- Group for Retinal Disorder Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University Lausanne - Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexey Obolensky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Avigail Beryozkin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Manar Salameh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Corinne Kostic
- Group for Retinal Disorder Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University Lausanne - Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dror Sharon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Yvan Arsenijevic
- Unit of Retinal Degeneration and Regeneration, Department of Ophthalmology, University Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eyal Banin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
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16
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Lu B, Avalos P, Svendsen S, Zhang C, Nocito L, Jones MK, Pieplow C, Saylor J, Ghiam S, Block A, Fernandez M, Ljubimov AV, Small K, Liao D, Svendsen CN, Wang S. GMP-grade human neural progenitors delivered subretinally protect vision in rat model of retinal degeneration and survive in minipigs. J Transl Med 2023; 21:650. [PMID: 37743503 PMCID: PMC10519102 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04501-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stem cell products are increasingly entering early stage clinical trials for treating retinal degeneration. The field is learning from experience about comparability of cells proposed for preclinical and clinical use. Without this, preclinical data supporting translation to a clinical study might not adequately reflect the performance of subsequent clinical-grade cells in patients. METHODS Research-grade human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) and clinical-grade hNPC (termed CNS10-NPC) were injected into the subretinal space of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat, a rodent model of retinal degeneration such as retinitis pigmentosa. An investigational new drug (IND)-enabling study with CNS10-NPC was performed in the same rodent model. Finally, surgical methodology for subretinal cell delivery in the clinic was optimized in a large animal model with Yucatan minipigs. RESULTS Both research-grade hNPC and clinical-grade hNPC can survive and provide functional and morphological protection in a dose-dependent fashion in RCS rats and the optimal cell dose was defined and used in IND-enabling studies. Grafted CNS10-NPC migrated from the injection site without differentiation into retinal cell phenotypes. Additionally, CNS10-NPC showed long-term survival, safety and efficacy in a good laboratory practice (GLP) toxicity and tumorigenicity study, with no observed cell overgrowth even at the maximum deliverable dose. Finally, using a large animal model with the Yucatan minipig, which has an eye size comparable to the human, we optimized the surgical methodology for subretinal cell delivery in the clinic. CONCLUSIONS These extensive studies supported an approved IND and the translation of CNS10-NPC to an ongoing Phase 1/2a clinical trial (NCT04284293) for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lu
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Pablo Avalos
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Soshana Svendsen
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Changqing Zhang
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Laura Nocito
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Melissa K Jones
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Cosmo Pieplow
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Joshua Saylor
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Sean Ghiam
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Amanda Block
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Michael Fernandez
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Alexander V Ljubimov
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Kent Small
- Macula& Retina Institute, Glendale, CA, 91203, USA
| | - David Liao
- Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Beverly Hills, CA, 90211, USA
| | - Clive N Svendsen
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Shaomei Wang
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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17
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Yang TH, Kang EYC, Lin PH, Wu PL, Sachs JA, Wang NK. The Value of Electroretinography in Identifying Candidate Genes for Inherited Retinal Dystrophies: A Diagnostic Guide. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3041. [PMID: 37835784 PMCID: PMC10572658 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13193041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a group of heterogeneous diseases caused by genetic mutations that specifically affect the function of the rod, cone, or bipolar cells in the retina. Electroretinography (ERG) is a diagnostic tool that measures the electrical activity of the retina in response to light stimuli, and it can help to determine the function of these cells. A normal ERG response consists of two waves, the a-wave and the b-wave, which reflect the activity of the photoreceptor cells and the bipolar and Muller cells, respectively. Despite the growing availability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, identifying the precise genetic mutation causing an IRD can be challenging and costly. However, certain types of IRDs present with unique ERG features that can help guide genetic testing. By combining these ERG findings with other clinical information, such as on family history and retinal imaging, physicians can effectively narrow down the list of candidate genes to be sequenced, thereby reducing the cost of genetic testing. This review article focuses on certain types of IRDs with unique ERG features. We will discuss the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of, and ERG findings on, these disorders, emphasizing the unique role ERG plays in their diagnosis and genetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Hsuan Yang
- Department of Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan;
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan;
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsuan Lin
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Yunlin 640203, Taiwan;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (P.-L.W.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Pei-Liang Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (P.-L.W.); (J.A.S.)
- Department of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Jacob Aaron Sachs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (P.-L.W.); (J.A.S.)
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Nan-Kai Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan;
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (P.-L.W.); (J.A.S.)
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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18
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Yang YS, Lin C, Ma H, Xie J, Kaplan FS, Gao G, Shim JH. AAV-Mediated Targeting of the Activin A-ACVR1 R206H Signaling in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1364. [PMID: 37759764 PMCID: PMC10526456 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091364] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultra-rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive disabling heterotopic ossification (HO) at extra-skeletal sites. Here, we developed adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy that suppresses trauma-induced HO in FOP mice harboring a heterozygous allele of human ACVR1R206H (Acvr1R206H/+) while limiting the expression in non-skeletal organs such as the brain, heart, lung, liver, and kidney. AAV gene therapy carrying the combination of codon-optimized human ACVR1 (ACVR1opt) and artificial miRNAs targeting Activin A and its receptor ACVR1R206H ablated the aberrant activation of BMP-Smad1/5 signaling and the osteogenic differentiation of Acvr1R206H/+ skeletal progenitors. The local delivery of AAV gene therapy to HO-causing cells in the skeletal muscle resulted in a significant decrease in endochondral bone formation in Acvr1R206H/+ mice. These mice showed little to no expression in a major AAV-targeted organ, the liver, due to liver-abundant miR-122-mediated repression. Thus, AAV gene therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy to explore in suppressing HO in FOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Suk Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (Y.-S.Y.); (C.L.)
| | - Chujiao Lin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (Y.-S.Y.); (C.L.)
| | - Hong Ma
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (H.M.); (J.X.)
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (H.M.); (J.X.)
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Frederick S. Kaplan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
- Department of Medicine, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- The Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (H.M.); (J.X.)
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Jae-Hyuck Shim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (Y.-S.Y.); (C.L.)
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (H.M.); (J.X.)
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
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19
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Murro V, Banfi S, Testa F, Iarossi G, Falsini B, Sodi A, Signorini S, Iolascon A, Russo R, Mucciolo DP, Caputo R, Bacci GM, Bargiacchi S, Turco S, Fortini S, Simonelli F. A multidisciplinary approach to inherited retinal dystrophies from diagnosis to initial care: a narrative review with inputs from clinical practice. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:223. [PMID: 37525225 PMCID: PMC10388566 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02798-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-syndromic inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) such as retinitis pigmentosa or Leber congenital amaurosis generally manifest between early childhood and late adolescence, imposing profound long-term impacts as a result of vision impairment or blindness. IRDs are highly heterogeneous, with often overlapping symptoms among different IRDs, and achieving a definite diagnosis is challenging. This narrative review provides a clinical overview of the non-syndromic generalized photoreceptor dystrophies, particularly retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. The clinical investigations and genetic testing needed to establish a diagnosis are outlined, and current management approaches are discussed, focusing on the importance of the involvement of an interdisciplinary team from diagnosis and initial care to long-term follow-up and support. RESULTS The effective management of IRDs requires a multidisciplinary, and ideally interdisciplinary, team of experts knowledgeable about IRDs, with experienced professionals from fields as diverse as ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry, psychology, neurology, genetics, orthoptics, developmental therapy, typhlology, occupational therapy, otolaryngology, and orientation and mobility specialties. Accurate clinical diagnosis encompasses a range of objective and subjective assessments as a prerequisite for the genetic testing essential in establishing an accurate diagnosis necessary for the effective management of IRDs, particularly in the era of gene therapies. Improvements in genome sequencing techniques, such as next-generation sequencing, have greatly facilitated the complex process of determining IRD-causing gene variants and establishing a molecular diagnosis. Genetic counseling is essential to help the individual and their family understand the condition, the potential risk for offspring, and the implications of a diagnosis on visual prognosis and treatment options. Psychological support for patients and caregivers is important at all stages of diagnosis, care, and rehabilitation and is an essential part of the multidisciplinary approach to managing IRDs. Effective communication throughout is essential, and the patient and caregivers' needs and expectations must be acknowledged and discussed. CONCLUSION As IRDs can present at an early age, clinicians need to be aware of the clinical signs suggesting visual impairment and follow up with multidisciplinary support for timely diagnoses to facilitate appropriate therapeutic or rehabilitation intervention to minimize vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Murro
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Eye Clinic, Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Testa
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giancarlo Iarossi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetto Falsini
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sodi
- Eye Clinic, Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Sabrina Signorini
- Center of Child Neuro-Ophthalmology, IRCCS, Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Achille Iolascon
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Russo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Pasquale Mucciolo
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Ophthalmology Unit, San Jacopo Hospital, Pistoia, Italy
| | - Roberto Caputo
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Maria Bacci
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, A. Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Bargiacchi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Ospedale Pediatrico Meyer, Florence, Italy
| | - Simona Turco
- National Centre of Services and Research for the Prevention of Blindness and Rehabilitation of the Visually Impaired, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness-IAPB Italy Onlus, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Fortini
- National Centre of Services and Research for the Prevention of Blindness and Rehabilitation of the Visually Impaired, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness-IAPB Italy Onlus, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
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20
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García-Llorca A, Ólafsson KH, Sigurdsson AT, Eysteinsson T. Progressive Cone-Rod Dystrophy and RPE Dysfunction in Mitfmi/+ Mice. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1458. [PMID: 37510362 PMCID: PMC10379086 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the mouse microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) gene affect retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) differentiation and development and can lead to hypopigmentation, microphthalmia, deafness, and blindness. For instance, an association has been established between loss-of-function mutations in the mouse Mitf gene and a variety of human retinal diseases, including Waardenburg type 2 and Tietz syndromes. Although there is evidence showing that mice with the homozygous Mitfmi mutation manifest microphthalmia and osteopetrosis, there are limited or no data on the effects of the heterozygous condition in the eye. Mitf mice can therefore be regarded as an important model system for the study of human disease. Thus, we characterized Mitfmi/+ mice at 1, 3, 12, and 18 months old in comparison with age-matched wild-type mice. The light- and dark-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) recordings showed progressive cone-rod dystrophy in Mitfmi/+ mice. The RPE response was reduced in the mutant in all age groups studied. Progressive loss of pigmentation was found in Mitfmi/+ mice. Histological retinal sections revealed evidence of retinal degeneration in Mitfmi/+ mice at older ages. For the first time, we report a mouse model of progressive cone-rod dystrophy and RPE dysfunction with a mutation in the Mitf gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea García-Llorca
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | | | - Arnór Thorri Sigurdsson
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Thor Eysteinsson
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Ophthalmology, Landspitali—National University Hospital, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
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21
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Areblom M, Kjellström S, Andréasson S, Öhberg A, Gränse L, Kjellström U. A Description of the Yield of Genetic Reinvestigation in Patients with Inherited Retinal Dystrophies and Previous Inconclusive Genetic Testing. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1413. [PMID: 37510321 PMCID: PMC10379620 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present era of evolving gene-based therapies for inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs), it has become increasingly important to verify the genotype in every case, to identify all subjects eligible for treatment. Moreover, combined insight concerning phenotypes and genotypes is crucial for improved understanding of thevisual impairment, prognosis, and inheritance. The objective of this study was to investigate to what extent renewed comprehensive genetic testing of patients diagnosed with IRD but with previously inconclusive DNA test results can verify the genotype, if confirmation of the genotype has an impact on the understanding of the clinical picture, and, to describe the genetic spectrum encountered in a Swedish IRD cohort. The study included 279 patients from the retinitis pigmentosa research registry (comprising diagnosis within the whole IRD spectrum), hosted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Skåne University hospital, Sweden. The phenotypes had already been evaluated with electrophysiology and other clinical tests, e.g., visual acuity, Goldmann perimetry, and fundus imaging at the first visit, sometime between 1988-2015 and the previous-in many cases, multiple-genetic testing, performed between 1995 and 2020 had been inconclusive. All patients were aged 0-25 years at the time of their first visit. Renewed genetic testing was performed using a next generation sequencing (NGS) IRD panel including 322 genes (Blueprint Genetics). Class 5 and 4 variants, according to ACMG guidelines, were considered pathogenic. Of the 279 samples tested, a confirmed genotype was determined in 182 (65%). The cohort was genetically heterogenous, including 65 different genes. The most prevailing were ABCA4 (16.5%), RPGR (6%), CEP290 (6%), and RS1 (5.5%). Other prevalent genes were CACNA1F (3%), PROM1 (3%), CHM (3%), and NYX (3%). In 7% of the patients there was a discrepancy between the diagnosis made based on phenotypical or genotypical findings alone. To conclude, repeated DNA-analysis was beneficial also in previously tested patients and improved our ability to verify the genotype-phenotype association increasing the understanding of how visual impairment manifests, prognosis, and the inheritance pattern. Moreover, repeated testing using a widely available method could identify additional patients eligible for future gene-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Areblom
- Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Sten Andréasson
- Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Lotta Gränse
- Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Kjellström
- Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
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22
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Raimondi R, D'Esposito F, Sorrentino T, Tsoutsanis P, De Rosa FP, Stradiotto E, Barone G, Rizzato A, Allegrini D, Costagliola C, Romano MR. How to Set Up Genetic Counselling for Inherited Macular Dystrophies: Focus on Genetic Characterization. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119722. [PMID: 37298674 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited macular dystrophies refer to a group of degenerative conditions that predominantly affect the macula in the spectrum of inherited retinal dystrophies. Recent trends indicate a clear need for genetic assessment services in tertiary referral hospitals. However, establishing such a service can be a complex task due to the diverse skills required and multiple professionals involved. This review aims to provide comprehensive guidelines to enhance the genetic characterization of patients and improve counselling efficacy by combining updated literature with our own experiences. Through this review, we hope to contribute to the establishment of state-of-the-art genetic counselling services for inherited macular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Raimondi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabiana D'Esposito
- Imperial College Ophthalmic Research Group (ICORG) Unit, Imperial College, 153-173 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5QH, UK
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Tania Sorrentino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
| | - Panos Tsoutsanis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo De Rosa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Stradiotto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Barone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Ciro Costagliola
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Mario R Romano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
- Eye Center, Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, 24125 Bergamo, Italy
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23
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Yu Y, Gao Y, He L, Fang B, Ge W, Yang P, Ju Y, Xie X, Lei L. Biomaterial-based gene therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e259. [PMID: 37284583 PMCID: PMC10239531 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy, a medical approach that involves the correction or replacement of defective and abnormal genes, plays an essential role in the treatment of complex and refractory diseases, such as hereditary diseases, cancer, and rheumatic immune diseases. Nucleic acids alone do not easily enter the target cells due to their easy degradation in vivo and the structure of the target cell membranes. The introduction of genes into biological cells is often dependent on gene delivery vectors, such as adenoviral vectors, which are commonly used in gene therapy. However, traditional viral vectors have strong immunogenicity while also presenting a potential infection risk. Recently, biomaterials have attracted attention for use as efficient gene delivery vehicles, because they can avoid the drawbacks associated with viral vectors. Biomaterials can improve the biological stability of nucleic acids and the efficiency of intracellular gene delivery. This review is focused on biomaterial-based delivery systems in gene therapy and disease treatment. Herein, we review the recent developments and modalities of gene therapy. Additionally, we discuss nucleic acid delivery strategies, with a focus on biomaterial-based gene delivery systems. Furthermore, the current applications of biomaterial-based gene therapy are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yu
- Department of StomatologyThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yijun Gao
- Department of StomatologyThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Liming He
- Department of StomatologyChangsha Stomatological HospitalChangshaChina
| | - Bairong Fang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) SurgeryThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Wenhui Ge
- Department of StomatologyThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Pu Yang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) SurgeryThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yikun Ju
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) SurgeryThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xiaoyan Xie
- Department of StomatologyThe Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Lanjie Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
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24
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Duan W, Urani E, Mattson MP. The potential of gene editing for Huntington's disease. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:365-376. [PMID: 36907678 PMCID: PMC10121915 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.02.005] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a trinucleotide repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene resulting in long stretches of polyglutamine repeats in the huntingtin protein. The disease involves progressive degeneration of neurons in the striatum and cerebral cortex resulting in loss of control of motor function, psychiatric problems, and cognitive deficits. There are as yet no treatments that can slow disease progression in HD. Recent advances in gene editing using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) systems and demonstrations of their ability to correct gene mutations in animal models of a range of diseases suggest that gene editing may prove effective in preventing or ameliorating HD. Here we describe (i) potential CRISPR-Cas designs and cellular delivery methods for the correction of mutant genes that cause inherited diseases, and (ii) recent preclinical findings demonstrating the efficacy of such gene-editing approaches in animal models, with a focus on HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhen Duan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Ece Urani
- Program in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mark P Mattson
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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25
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Nguyen XTA, Moekotte L, Plomp AS, Bergen AA, van Genderen MM, Boon CJF. Retinitis Pigmentosa: Current Clinical Management and Emerging Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087481. [PMID: 37108642 PMCID: PMC10139437 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) comprises a group of inherited retinal dystrophies characterized by the degeneration of rod photoreceptors, followed by the degeneration of cone photoreceptors. As a result of photoreceptor degeneration, affected individuals experience gradual loss of visual function, with primary symptoms of progressive nyctalopia, constricted visual fields and, ultimately, central vision loss. The onset, severity and clinical course of RP shows great variability and unpredictability, with most patients already experiencing some degree of visual disability in childhood. While RP is currently untreatable for the majority of patients, significant efforts have been made in the development of genetic therapies, which offer new hope for treatment for patients affected by inherited retinal dystrophies. In this exciting era of emerging gene therapies, it remains imperative to continue supporting patients with RP using all available options to manage their condition. Patients with RP experience a wide variety of physical, mental and social-emotional difficulties during their lifetime, of which some require timely intervention. This review aims to familiarize readers with clinical management options that are currently available for patients with RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan-Thanh-An Nguyen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lude Moekotte
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid S Plomp
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur A Bergen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria M van Genderen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Bartiméus, Diagnostic Center for Complex Visual Disorders, 3703 AJ Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel J F Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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26
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Aliaga Goltsman DS, Alexander LM, Lin JL, Fregoso Ocampo R, Freeman B, Lamothe RC, Perez Rivas A, Temoche-Diaz MM, Chadha S, Nordenfelt N, Janson OP, Barr I, Devoto AE, Cost GJ, Butterfield CN, Thomas BC, Brown CT. Compact Cas9d and HEARO enzymes for genome editing discovered from uncultivated microbes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7602. [PMID: 36522342 PMCID: PMC9755519 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35257-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmable, RNA-guided nucleases are diverse enzymes that have been repurposed for biotechnological applications. However, to further expand the therapeutic application of these tools there is a need for targetable systems that are small enough to be delivered efficiently. Here, we mined an extensive genome-resolved metagenomics database and identified families of uncharacterized RNA-guided, compact nucleases (between 450 and 1,050 aa). We report that Cas9d, a new CRISPR type II subtype, contains Zinc-finger motifs and high arginine content, features that we also found in nucleases related to HEARO effectors. These enzymes exhibit diverse biochemical characteristics and are broadly targetable. We show that natural Cas9d enzymes are capable of genome editing in mammalian cells with >90% efficiency, and further engineered nickase variants into the smallest base editors active in E. coli and human cells. Their small size, broad targeting potential, and translatability suggest that Cas9d and HEARO systems will enable a variety of genome editing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jyun-Liang Lin
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Owen P Janson
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Ian Barr
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Audra E Devoto
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | - Gregory J Cost
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
| | | | - Brian C Thomas
- Metagenomi Inc. 1545 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA
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27
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Mandal M, Banerjee I, Mandal M. Nanoparticle-mediated gene therapy as a novel strategy for the treatment of retinoblastoma. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 220:112899. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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28
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Yang YS, Kim JM, Xie J, Chaugule S, Lin C, Ma H, Hsiao E, Hong J, Chun H, Shore EM, Kaplan FS, Gao G, Shim JH. Suppression of heterotopic ossification in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva using AAV gene delivery. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6175. [PMID: 36258013 PMCID: PMC9579182 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33956-9] [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: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification is the most disabling feature of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, an ultra-rare genetic disorder for which there is currently no prevention or treatment. Most patients with this disease harbor a heterozygous activating mutation (c.617 G > A;p.R206H) in ACVR1. Here, we identify recombinant AAV9 as the most effective serotype for transduction of the major cells-of-origin of heterotopic ossification. We use AAV9 delivery for gene replacement by expression of codon-optimized human ACVR1, ACVR1R206H allele-specific silencing by AAV-compatible artificial miRNA and a combination of gene replacement and silencing. In mouse skeletal cells harboring a conditional knock-in allele of human mutant ACVR1 and in patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, AAV gene therapy ablated aberrant Activin A signaling and chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation. In Acvr1(R206H) knock-in mice treated locally in early adulthood or systemically at birth, trauma-induced endochondral bone formation was markedly reduced, while inflammation and fibroproliferative responses remained largely intact in the injured muscle. Remarkably, spontaneous heterotopic ossification also substantially decreased in in Acvr1(R206H) knock-in mice treated systemically at birth or in early adulthood. Collectively, we develop promising gene therapeutics that can prevent disabling heterotopic ossification in mice, supporting clinical translation to patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Suk Yang
- Department of Medicine/Division of Rheumatology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jung-Min Kim
- Department of Medicine/Division of Rheumatology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Viral Vector Core, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Sachin Chaugule
- Department of Medicine/Division of Rheumatology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Chujiao Lin
- Department of Medicine/Division of Rheumatology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Hong Ma
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Viral Vector Core, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Edward Hsiao
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine; the Institute for Human Genetics; the Program in Craniofacial Biology; and the Eli and Edyth Broad Institute of Regeneration Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jaehyoung Hong
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyonho Chun
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eileen M Shore
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Frederick S Kaplan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Viral Vector Core, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Jae-Hyuck Shim
- Department of Medicine/Division of Rheumatology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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29
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Irigoyen C, Amenabar Alonso A, Sanchez-Molina J, Rodríguez-Hidalgo M, Lara-López A, Ruiz-Ederra J. Subretinal Injection Techniques for Retinal Disease: A Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11164717. [PMID: 36012955 PMCID: PMC9409835 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11164717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) affect an estimated 1 in every 2000 people, this corresponding to nearly 2 million cases worldwide. Currently, 270 genes have been associated with IRDs, most of them altering the function of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. Gene therapy has been proposed as a potential tool for improving visual function in these patients. Clinical trials in animal models and humans have been successful in various types of IRDs. Recently, voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna®) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene. The current state of the art in gene therapy involves the delivery of various types of viral vectors into the subretinal space to effectively transduce diseased photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. For this, subretinal injection is becoming increasingly popular among researchers and clinicians. To date, several approaches for subretinal injection have been described in the scientific literature, all of them effective in accessing the subretinal space. The growth and development of gene therapy give rise to the need for a standardized procedure for subretinal injection that ensures the efficacy and safety of this new approach to drug delivery. The goal of this review is to offer an insight into the current subretinal injection techniques and understand the key factors in the success of this procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Irigoyen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donostia University Hospital (HUD), 20014 Donostia San-Sebastián, Spain
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Asier Amenabar Alonso
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donostia University Hospital (HUD), 20014 Donostia San-Sebastián, Spain
| | - Jorge Sanchez-Molina
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donostia University Hospital (HUD), 20014 Donostia San-Sebastián, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-629950276
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30
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Eekhoff EM, de Ruiter RD, Smilde BJ, Schoenmaker T, de Vries TJ, Netelenbos C, Hsiao EC, Scott C, Haga N, Grunwald Z, De Cunto CL, di Rocco M, Delai PLR, Diecidue RJ, Madhuri V, Cho TJ, Morhart R, Friedman CS, Zasloff M, Pals G, Shim JH, Gao G, Kaplan F, Pignolo RJ, Micha D. Gene Therapy for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva: Feasibility and Obstacles. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:782-788. [PMID: 35502479 PMCID: PMC9419966 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare and devastating genetic disease, in which soft connective tissue is converted into heterotopic bone through an endochondral ossification process. Patients succumb early as they gradually become trapped in a second skeleton of heterotopic bone. Although the underlying genetic defect is long known, the inherent complexity of the disease has hindered the discovery of effective preventions and treatments. New developments in the gene therapy field have motivated its consideration as an attractive therapeutic option for FOP. However, the immune system's role in FOP activation and the as-yet unknown primary causative cell, are crucial issues which must be taken into account in the therapy design. While gene therapy offers a potential therapeutic solution, more knowledge about FOP is needed to enable its optimal and safe application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth M.W. Eekhoff
- Section Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Rare Bone Disease Center, Amsterdam Bone Center, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben D. de Ruiter
- Section Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Rare Bone Disease Center, Amsterdam Bone Center, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard J. Smilde
- Section Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Rare Bone Disease Center, Amsterdam Bone Center, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ton Schoenmaker
- Department of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Teun J. de Vries
- Department of Periodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Coen Netelenbos
- Section Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Rare Bone Disease Center, Amsterdam Bone Center, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Edward C. Hsiao
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Institute for Human Genetics, Program in Craniofacial Biology, the Institute for Regeneration Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christiaan Scott
- Division of Paediatric Rheumatology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Heath, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nobuhiko Haga
- Rehabilitation Services Bureau, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Zvi Grunwald
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Carmen L. De Cunto
- Department of Pediatrics, Section Pediatric Rheumatology, Hospital Italiano Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maja di Rocco
- Department of Pediatrics, Unit of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patricia L. R. Delai
- Teaching and Research Institute of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Robert J. Diecidue
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Vrisha Madhuri
- Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Center for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India
| | - Tae-Joon Cho
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Rolf Morhart
- Department of Pediatrics, Garmisch-Partenkichen Medical Center, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Clive S. Friedman
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Clinical Skills Building, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Zasloff
- Surgery and Pediatrics, MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Gerard Pals
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Rare Bone Disease Center, Amsterdam Bone Center, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jae-Hyuck Shim
- Department of Medicine/Rheumatology, Horae Gene Therapy Center, Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, Horae Gene Therapy Center, Viral Vector Core, Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Frederick Kaplan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Medicine, Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Dimitra Micha
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Rare Bone Disease Center, Amsterdam Bone Center, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Joachim SC. Towards an Understanding of Retinal Diseases and Novel Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147576. [PMID: 35886925 PMCID: PMC9317684 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Joachim
- Experimental Eye Research Institute, University Eye Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
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32
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Lange KI, Best S, Tsiropoulou S, Berry I, Johnson CA, Blacque OE. Interpreting ciliopathy-associated missense variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:1574-1587. [PMID: 34964473 PMCID: PMC9122650 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Better methods are required to interpret the pathogenicity of disease-associated variants of uncertain significance (VUS), which cannot be actioned clinically. In this study, we explore the use of an animal model (Caenorhabditis elegans) for in vivo interpretation of missense VUS alleles of TMEM67, a cilia gene associated with ciliopathies. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing was used to generate homozygous knock-in C. elegans worm strains carrying TMEM67 patient variants engineered into the orthologous gene (mks-3). Quantitative phenotypic assays of sensory cilia structure and function (neuronal dye filling, roaming and chemotaxis assays) measured how the variants impacted mks-3 gene function. Effects of the variants on mks-3 function were further investigated by looking at MKS-3::GFP localization and cilia ultrastructure. The quantitative assays in C. elegans accurately distinguished between known benign (Asp359Glu, Thr360Ala) and known pathogenic (Glu361Ter, Gln376Pro) variants. Analysis of eight missense VUS generated evidence that three are benign (Cys173Arg, Thr176Ile and Gly979Arg) and five are pathogenic (Cys170Tyr, His782Arg, Gly786Glu, His790Arg and Ser961Tyr). Results from worms were validated by a genetic complementation assay in a human TMEM67 knock-out hTERT-RPE1 cell line that tests a TMEM67 signalling function. We conclude that efficient genome editing and quantitative functional assays in C. elegans make it a tractable in vivo animal model for rapid, cost-effective interpretation of ciliopathy-associated missense VUS alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen I Lange
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sunayna Best
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Sofia Tsiropoulou
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Ian Berry
- Bristol Genetics Laboratory, Pathology Sciences, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Colin A Johnson
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Oliver E Blacque
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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33
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Retinitis pigmentosa 2 pathogenic mutants degrade through BAG6/HUWE1 complex. Exp Eye Res 2022; 220:109110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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34
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Seraly M, Madow B, Farkas MH. Clinical Considerations for RPE Cell Transplantation. CURRENT OPHTHALMOLOGY REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40135-022-00287-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Puig-Serra P, Casado-Rosas MC, Martinez-Lage M, Olalla-Sastre B, Alonso-Yanez A, Torres-Ruiz R, Rodriguez-Perales S. CRISPR Approaches for the Diagnosis of Human Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031757. [PMID: 35163678 PMCID: PMC8836363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas is a prokaryotic self-defense system, widely known for its use as a gene-editing tool. Because of their high specificity to detect DNA and RNA sequences, different CRISPR systems have been adapted for nucleic acid detection. CRISPR detection technologies differ highly among them, since they are based on four of the six major subtypes of CRISPR systems. In just 5 years, the CRISPR diagnostic field has rapidly expanded, growing from a set of specific molecular biology discoveries to multiple FDA-authorized COVID-19 tests and the establishment of several companies. CRISPR-based detection methods are coupled with pre-existing preamplification and readout technologies, achieving sensitivity and reproducibility comparable to the current gold standard nucleic acid detection methods. Moreover, they are very versatile, can be easily implemented to detect emerging pathogens and new clinically relevant mutations, and offer multiplexing capability. The advantages of the CRISPR-based diagnostic approaches are a short sample-to-answer time and no requirement of laboratory settings; they are also much more affordable than current nucleic acid detection procedures. In this review, we summarize the applications and development trends of the CRISPR/Cas13 system in the identification of particular pathogens and mutations and discuss the challenges and future prospects of CRISPR-based diagnostic platforms in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Puig-Serra
- Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), Molecular Cytogenetics & Genome Editing Unit, Melchor Fernandez Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.-S.); (M.C.C.-R.); (M.M.-L.); (B.O.-S.); (A.A.-Y.)
| | - Maria Cruz Casado-Rosas
- Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), Molecular Cytogenetics & Genome Editing Unit, Melchor Fernandez Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.-S.); (M.C.C.-R.); (M.M.-L.); (B.O.-S.); (A.A.-Y.)
| | - Marta Martinez-Lage
- Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), Molecular Cytogenetics & Genome Editing Unit, Melchor Fernandez Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.-S.); (M.C.C.-R.); (M.M.-L.); (B.O.-S.); (A.A.-Y.)
| | - Beatriz Olalla-Sastre
- Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), Molecular Cytogenetics & Genome Editing Unit, Melchor Fernandez Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.-S.); (M.C.C.-R.); (M.M.-L.); (B.O.-S.); (A.A.-Y.)
| | - Alejandro Alonso-Yanez
- Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), Molecular Cytogenetics & Genome Editing Unit, Melchor Fernandez Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.-S.); (M.C.C.-R.); (M.M.-L.); (B.O.-S.); (A.A.-Y.)
| | - Raul Torres-Ruiz
- Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), Molecular Cytogenetics & Genome Editing Unit, Melchor Fernandez Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.-S.); (M.C.C.-R.); (M.M.-L.); (B.O.-S.); (A.A.-Y.)
- Centro de Investigacion Energeticas Medioambientales y Tecnologicas (CIEMAT), Advanced Therapies Unit, Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies Division, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Fundacion Jimenez Diaz (IIS-FJD, UAM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.T.-R.); (S.R.-P.)
| | - Sandra Rodriguez-Perales
- Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), Molecular Cytogenetics & Genome Editing Unit, Melchor Fernandez Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.-S.); (M.C.C.-R.); (M.M.-L.); (B.O.-S.); (A.A.-Y.)
- Correspondence: (R.T.-R.); (S.R.-P.)
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Lachance A, Hébert M, Hébert M, Salesse C, Bourgault S, Dirani A. Analysis of Molecular Genetic Testing Referrals for Inherited Retinal Dystrophies in a Quebec Tertiary Care Center Over a Decade. Clin Ophthalmol 2022; 16:239-244. [PMID: 35140454 PMCID: PMC8820378 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s346103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Lachance
- Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie – chirurgie cervico-faciale, Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Mélanie Hébert
- Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie – chirurgie cervico-faciale, Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Marc Hébert
- Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie – chirurgie cervico-faciale, Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Christian Salesse
- Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie – chirurgie cervico-faciale, Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Serge Bourgault
- Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie – chirurgie cervico-faciale, Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Ali Dirani
- Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie – chirurgie cervico-faciale, Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Correspondence: Ali Dirani, Département d’ophtalmologie et d’oto-rhino-laryngologie – chirurgie cervico-faciale, Centre Universitaire d’Ophtalmologie, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy, Québec, G1S 4L8, QC, Canada, Email
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Li G, Li X, Zhuang S, Wang L, Zhu Y, Chen Y, Sun W, Wu Z, Zhou Z, Chen J, Huang X, Wang J, Li D, Li W, Wang H, Wei W. Gene editing and its applications in biomedicine. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2022; 65:660-700. [PMID: 35235150 PMCID: PMC8889061 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2057-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The steady progress in genome editing, especially genome editing based on the use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and programmable nucleases to make precise modifications to genetic material, has provided enormous opportunities to advance biomedical research and promote human health. The application of these technologies in basic biomedical research has yielded significant advances in identifying and studying key molecular targets relevant to human diseases and their treatment. The clinical translation of genome editing techniques offers unprecedented biomedical engineering capabilities in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease or disability. Here, we provide a general summary of emerging biomedical applications of genome editing, including open challenges. We also summarize the tools of genome editing and the insights derived from their applications, hoping to accelerate new discoveries and therapies in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanglei Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Xiangyang Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Songkuan Zhuang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518035, China
| | - Liren Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yifan Zhu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yangcan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Wen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zeguang Wu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhuo Zhou
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Gene Editing Center, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Xingxu Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518035, China.
| | - Dali Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
- HIT Center for Life Sciences, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China.
| | - Haoyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Wensheng Wei
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Girach A, Audo I, Birch DG, Huckfeldt RM, Lam BL, Leroy BP, Michaelides M, Russell SR, Sallum JM, Stingl K, Tsang SH, Yang P. RNA-based therapies in inherited retinal diseases. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2022; 14:25158414221134602. [PMID: 36388727 PMCID: PMC9643766 DOI: 10.1177/25158414221134602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of genetic eye disorders. There are more than 300 disease entities, and together this group of disorders affects millions of people globally and is a frequent cause of blindness or low-vision certification. However, each type is rare or ultra-rare. Characteristically, the impaired vision in IRDs is due to retinal photoreceptor dysfunction and loss resulting from mutation in a gene that codes for a retinal protein. Historically, IRDs have been considered incurable and individuals living with these blinding conditions could be offered only supportive care. However, the treatment landscape for IRDs is beginning to evolve. Progress is being made, driven by improvements in understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships, through advances in molecular genetic testing and retinal imaging. Alongside this expanding knowledge of IRDs, the current era of precision medicine is fueling a growth in targeted therapies. This has resulted in the first treatment for an IRD being approved. Several other therapies are currently in development in the IRD space, including RNA-based therapies, gene-based therapies (such as augmentation therapy and gene editing), cell therapy, visual prosthetics, and optogenetics. RNA-based therapies are a novel approach within precision medicine that have demonstrated success, particularly in rare diseases. Three antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) are currently in development for the treatment of specific IRD subtypes. These RNA-based therapies bring several key advantages in the setting of IRDs, and the potential to bring meaningful vision benefit to individuals living with inherited blinding disorders. This review will examine the increasing breadth and relevance of RNA-based therapies in clinical medicine, explore the key features that make AONs suitable for treating genetic eye diseases, and provide an overview of the three-leading investigational AONs in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniz Girach
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK
Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Isabelle Audo
- Centre Hospitalier National d’Ophtalmologie des
Quinze-Vingts, Centre de référence maladies rares REFERET and INSERM-DHOS
CIC 1423, CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, Paris, France
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College
London, London, UK
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de
la Vision, Paris, France
| | | | - Rachel M. Huckfeldt
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical
School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Byron L. Lam
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of
Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bart P. Leroy
- Department of Ophthalmology & Center for
Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital & Ghent University, Ghent,
Belgium
- Division of Ophthalmology & Center for
Cellular & Molecular Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michel Michaelides
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University
College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Stephen R. Russell
- The University of Iowa Institute for Vision
Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Juliana M.F. Sallum
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universidade
Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto de Genética Ocular, São Paulo,
Brazil
| | - Katarina Stingl
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye
Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Rare Eye Diseases, University of
Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephen H. Tsang
- Jonas Children’s Vision Care and Bernard and
Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Vagelos
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY,
USA
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New
York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Yang
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health &
Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Lowndes R, Molz B, Warriner L, Herbik A, de Best PB, Raz N, Gouws A, Ahmadi K, McLean RJ, Gottlob I, Kohl S, Choritz L, Maguire J, Kanowski M, Käsmann-Kellner B, Wieland I, Banin E, Levin N, Hoffmann MB, Morland AB, Baseler HA. Structural Differences Across Multiple Visual Cortical Regions in the Absence of Cone Function in Congenital Achromatopsia. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:718958. [PMID: 34720857 PMCID: PMC8551799 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.718958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most individuals with congenital achromatopsia (ACHM) carry mutations that affect the retinal phototransduction pathway of cone photoreceptors, fundamental to both high acuity vision and colour perception. As the central fovea is occupied solely by cones, achromats have an absence of retinal input to the visual cortex and a small central area of blindness. Additionally, those with complete ACHM have no colour perception, and colour processing regions of the ventral cortex also lack typical chromatic signals from the cones. This study examined the cortical morphology (grey matter volume, cortical thickness, and cortical surface area) of multiple visual cortical regions in ACHM (n = 15) compared to normally sighted controls (n = 42) to determine the cortical changes that are associated with the retinal characteristics of ACHM. Surface-based morphometry was applied to T1-weighted MRI in atlas-defined early, ventral and dorsal visual regions of interest. Reduced grey matter volume in V1, V2, V3, and V4 was found in ACHM compared to controls, driven by a reduction in cortical surface area as there was no significant reduction in cortical thickness. Cortical surface area (but not thickness) was reduced in a wide range of areas (V1, V2, V3, TO1, V4, and LO1). Reduction in early visual areas with large foveal representations (V1, V2, and V3) suggests that the lack of foveal input to the visual cortex was a major driving factor in morphological changes in ACHM. However, the significant reduction in ventral area V4 coupled with the lack of difference in dorsal areas V3a and V3b suggest that deprivation of chromatic signals to visual cortex in ACHM may also contribute to changes in cortical morphology. This research shows that the congenital lack of cone input to the visual cortex can lead to widespread structural changes across multiple visual areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Lowndes
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- York Neuroimaging Centre, Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Molz
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lucy Warriner
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Herbik
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Pieter B. de Best
- MRI Unit, Department of Neurology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Noa Raz
- MRI Unit, Department of Neurology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Andre Gouws
- York Neuroimaging Centre, Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Khazar Ahmadi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Rebecca J. McLean
- University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Gottlob
- University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Susanne Kohl
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University Clinics Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lars Choritz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - John Maguire
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Kanowski
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Käsmann-Kellner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ilse Wieland
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Human Genetics, University Hospital, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Eyal Banin
- Degenerative Diseases of the Retina Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Netta Levin
- MRI Unit, Department of Neurology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael B. Hoffmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Antony B. Morland
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Heidi A. Baseler
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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Arango D, Bittar A, Esmeral NP, Ocasión C, Muñoz-Camargo C, Cruz JC, Reyes LH, Bloch NI. Understanding the Potential of Genome Editing in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9241. [PMID: 34502143 PMCID: PMC8430539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR is a simple and cost-efficient gene-editing technique that has become increasingly popular over the last decades. Various CRISPR/Cas-based applications have been developed to introduce changes in the genome and alter gene expression in diverse systems and tissues. These novel gene-editing techniques are particularly promising for investigating and treating neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, for which we currently lack efficient disease-modifying treatment options. Gene therapy could thus provide treatment alternatives, revolutionizing our ability to treat this disease. Here, we review our current knowledge on the genetic basis of Parkinson's disease to highlight the main biological pathways that become disrupted in Parkinson's disease and their potential as gene therapy targets. Next, we perform a comprehensive review of novel delivery vehicles available for gene-editing applications, critical for their successful application in both innovative research and potential therapies. Finally, we review the latest developments in CRISPR-based applications and gene therapies to understand and treat Parkinson's disease. We carefully examine their advantages and shortcomings for diverse gene-editing applications in the brain, highlighting promising avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Arango
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (D.A.); (A.B.); (N.P.E.); (C.M.-C.); (J.C.C.)
| | - Amaury Bittar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (D.A.); (A.B.); (N.P.E.); (C.M.-C.); (J.C.C.)
| | - Natalia P. Esmeral
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (D.A.); (A.B.); (N.P.E.); (C.M.-C.); (J.C.C.)
| | - Camila Ocasión
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (C.O.); (L.H.R.)
| | - Carolina Muñoz-Camargo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (D.A.); (A.B.); (N.P.E.); (C.M.-C.); (J.C.C.)
| | - Juan C. Cruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (D.A.); (A.B.); (N.P.E.); (C.M.-C.); (J.C.C.)
| | - Luis H. Reyes
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (C.O.); (L.H.R.)
| | - Natasha I. Bloch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia; (D.A.); (A.B.); (N.P.E.); (C.M.-C.); (J.C.C.)
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Hasegawa T, Oishi A, Ikeda HO, Numa S, Miyata M, Otsuka Y, Oishi M, Tsujikawa A. Detection Sensitivity of Retinitis Pigmentosa Progression Using Static Perimetry and Optical Coherence Tomography. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:31. [PMID: 34323953 PMCID: PMC8322706 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.8.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To compare the detection sensitivities of the progression of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) by automated perimetry to obtain the mean deviation (MD) and total point score and by optical coherence tomography (OCT) to determine the residual ellipsoid zone (EZ) length and thickness of retinal layers. Methods Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients with RP who underwent annual automated perimetry (Humphrey Field Analyzer 10-2) and OCT examinations during the same period more than four times were included. Disease progression was evaluated using linear regression analysis with the least-squares method. The disease progression speed and interinspection fluctuations for the different examinations were compared using standardized values. The progression detection ability factor, defined as the average of the least squares divided by the square of annual change, was used to compare the sensitivities of the examinations for detecting the progression of RP. Results EZ length showed a high correlation with MD (R = 0.87; P = 1.12E-07) at baseline. Disease progression was detected more frequently using EZ length (12/22 eyes) than using MD (3/22 eyes; P = 0.004) or central retinal thickness (1/11 eyes; P = 0.012). Linear regression using standardized values showed that the EZ length had the fastest annual change, with the smallest least absolute values. EZ length was more sensitive for detecting RP progression than MD, total point score, visual acuity, or central retinal thickness. Conclusions EZ measurement was sensitive for detecting RP progression, and the results of this study indicate that EZ length is appropriate for end points in clinical trials. Translational Relevance The study provides a basis for conducting future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Hasegawa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akio Oishi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hanako Ohashi Ikeda
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shogo Numa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Manabu Miyata
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Otsuka
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Maho Oishi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akitaka Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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