1
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Ferla R, Dell’Aquila F, Doria M, Ferraiuolo M, Noto A, Grazioli F, Ammendola V, Testa F, Melillo P, Iodice C, Risca G, Tedesco N, le Brun PR, Surace EM, Simonelli F, Galimberti S, Valsecchi MG, Marteau JB, Veron P, Colloca S, Auricchio A. Efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety in the mouse and primate retina of dual AAV vectors for Usher syndrome type 1B. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 28:396-411. [PMID: 36910588 PMCID: PMC9996380 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy of Usher syndrome type 1B (USH1B) due to mutations in the large Myosin VIIA (MYO7A) gene is limited by the packaging capacity of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors. To overcome this, we have previously developed dual AAV8 vectors which encode human MYO7A (dual AAV8.MYO7A). Here we show that subretinal administration of 1.37E+9 to 1.37E+10 genome copies of a good-manufacturing-practice-like lot of dual AAV8.MYO7A improves the retinal defects of a mouse model of USH1B. The same lot was used in non-human primates at doses 1.6× and 4.3× the highest dose proposed for the clinical trial which was based on mouse efficacy data. Long-lasting alterations in retinal function and morphology were observed following subretinal administration of dual AAV8.MYO7A at the high dose. These findings were modest and improved over time in the low-dose group, as also observed in other studies involving the use of AAV8 in non-human primates and humans. Biodistribution and shedding studies confirmed the presence of vector DNA mainly in the visual pathway. Accordingly, we detected human MYO7A mRNA expression predominantly in the retina. Overall, these studies pave the way for the clinical translation of subretinal administration of dual AAV vectors in USH1B subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Ferla
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- AAVantgarde BIO Srl, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Corresponding author: Rita Ferla, Telethon institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; AAVantgarde BIO Srl, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Dell’Aquila
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Monica Doria
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Testa
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Melillo
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carolina Iodice
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Giulia Risca
- Center of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Novella Tedesco
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, University Evry 91000, INSERM, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Pierre Romain le Brun
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, University Evry 91000, INSERM, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Galimberti
- Center of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Valsecchi
- Center of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | | | - Philippe Veron
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, University Evry 91000, INSERM, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | | | - Alberto Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- AAVantgarde BIO Srl, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, “Federico II” University, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Corresponding author: Alberto Auricchio, Telethon institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; AAVantgarde BIO Srl, 20123 Milan, Italy.
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2
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Carrella S, Di Guida M, Brillante S, Piccolo D, Ciampi L, Guadagnino I, Garcia Piqueras J, Pizzo M, Marrocco E, Molinari M, Petrogiannakis G, Barbato S, Ezhova Y, Auricchio A, Franco B, De Leonibus E, Surace EM, Indrieri A, Banfi S. miR-181a/b downregulation: a mutation-independent therapeutic approach for inherited retinal diseases. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e15941. [PMID: 36194668 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202215941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a group of diseases whose common landmark is progressive photoreceptor loss. The development of gene-specific therapies for IRDs is hampered by their wide genetic heterogeneity. Mitochondrial dysfunction is proving to constitute one of the key pathogenic events in IRDs; hence, approaches that enhance mitochondrial activities have a promising therapeutic potential for these conditions. We previously reported that miR-181a/b downregulation boosts mitochondrial turnover in models of primary retinal mitochondrial diseases. Here, we show that miR-181a/b silencing has a beneficial effect also in IRDs. In particular, the injection in the subretinal space of an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) that harbors a miR-181a/b inhibitor (sponge) sequence (AAV2/8-GFP-Sponge-miR-181a/b) improves retinal morphology and visual function both in models of autosomal dominant (RHO-P347S) and of autosomal recessive (rd10) retinitis pigmentosa. Moreover, we demonstrate that miR-181a/b downregulation modulates the level of the mitochondrial fission-related protein Drp1 and rescues the mitochondrial fragmentation in RHO-P347S photoreceptors. Overall, these data support the potential use of miR-181a/b downregulation as an innovative mutation-independent therapeutic strategy for IRDs, which can be effective both to delay disease progression and to aid gene-specific therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Carrella
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Di Guida
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Brillante
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Davide Piccolo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Ludovica Ciampi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Irene Guadagnino
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Jorge Garcia Piqueras
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Pizzo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Marta Molinari
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Georgios Petrogiannakis
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Molecular Life Science, Department of Science and Environmental, Biological and Farmaceutical Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Barbato
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Yulia Ezhova
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Molecular Life Science, Department of Science and Environmental, Biological and Farmaceutical Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Advanced Biomedicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Brunella Franco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Scuola Superiore Meridionale, School of Advanced Studies, Naples, Italy
| | - Elvira De Leonibus
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Institute of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Indrieri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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3
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Tornabene P, Ferla R, Llado-Santaeularia M, Centrulo M, Dell'Anno M, Esposito F, Marrocco E, Pone E, Minopoli R, Iodice C, Nusco E, Rossi S, Lyubenova H, Manfredi A, Di Filippo L, Iuliano A, Torella A, Piluso G, Musacchia F, Surace EM, Cacchiarelli D, Nigro V, Auricchio A. Therapeutic homology-independent targeted integration in retina and liver. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1963. [PMID: 35414130 PMCID: PMC9005519 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29550-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Challenges to the widespread application of gene therapy with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors include dominant conditions due to gain-of-function mutations which require allele-specific knockout, as well as long-term transgene expression from proliferating tissues, which is hampered by AAV DNA episomal status. To overcome these challenges, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-independent targeted integration (HITI) in retina and liver as paradigmatic target tissues. We show that AAV-HITI targets photoreceptors of both mouse and pig retina, and this results in significant improvements to retinal morphology and function in mice with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. In addition, we show that neonatal systemic AAV-HITI delivery achieves stable liver transgene expression and phenotypic improvement in a mouse model of a severe lysosomal storage disease. We also show that HITI applications predominantly result in on-target editing. These results lay the groundwork for the application of AAV-HITI for the treatment of diseases affecting various organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Tornabene
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Ferla
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Miriam Centrulo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Margherita Dell'Anno
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Esposito
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pone
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Renato Minopoli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Carolina Iodice
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Edoardo Nusco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Anna Manfredi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Next Generation Diagnostic Srl, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Iuliano
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Piluso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Cacchiarelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy. .,Medical Genetics, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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4
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Reynaud-Dulaurier R, Benegiamo G, Marrocco E, Al-Tannir R, Surace EM, Auwerx J, Decressac M. Gene replacement therapy provides benefit in an adult mouse model of Leigh syndrome. Brain 2020; 143:1686-1696. [DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Mutations in nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes are responsible for a broad spectrum of disorders among which Leigh syndrome is the most common in infancy. No effective therapies are available for this severe disease mainly because of the limited capabilities of the standard adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors to transduce both peripheral organs and the CNS when injected systemically in adults. Here, we used the brain-penetrating AAV-PHP.B vector to reinstate gene expression in the Ndufs4 knockout mouse model of Leigh syndrome. Intravenous delivery of an AAV.PHP.B-Ndufs4 vector in 1-month-old knockout mice restored mitochondrial complex I activity in several organs including the CNS. This gene replacement strategy extended lifespan, rescued metabolic parameters, provided behavioural improvement, and corrected the pathological phenotype in the brain, retina, and heart of Ndufs4 knockout mice. These results provide a robust proof that gene therapy strategies targeting multiple organs can rescue fatal neurometabolic disorders with CNS involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Reynaud-Dulaurier
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Giorgia Benegiamo
- Laboratory for Integrative and Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Racha Al-Tannir
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Johan Auwerx
- Laboratory for Integrative and Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Decressac
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
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5
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Naso F, Intartaglia D, Falanga D, Soldati C, Polishchuk E, Giamundo G, Tiberi P, Marrocco E, Scudieri P, Di Malta C, Trapani I, Nusco E, Salierno FG, Surace EM, Galietta LJ, Banfi S, Auricchio A, Ballabio A, Medina DL, Conte I. Light-responsive microRNA miR-211 targets Ezrin to modulate lysosomal biogenesis and retinal cell clearance. EMBO J 2020; 39:e102468. [PMID: 32154600 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019102468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate vision relies on the daily phagocytosis and lysosomal degradation of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) within the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). However, how these events are controlled by light is largely unknown. Here, we show that the light-responsive miR-211 controls lysosomal biogenesis at the beginning of light-dark transitions in the RPE by targeting Ezrin, a cytoskeleton-associated protein essential for the regulation of calcium homeostasis. miR-211-mediated down-regulation of Ezrin leads to Ca2+ influx resulting in the activation of calcineurin, which in turn activates TFEB, the master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis. Light-mediated induction of lysosomal biogenesis and function is impaired in the RPE from miR-211-/- mice that show severely compromised vision. Pharmacological restoration of lysosomal biogenesis through Ezrin inhibition rescued the miR-211-/- phenotype, pointing to a new therapeutic target to counteract retinal degeneration associated with lysosomal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Naso
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | | | - Danila Falanga
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Chiara Soldati
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Elena Polishchuk
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Giuliana Giamundo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Paola Tiberi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Paolo Scudieri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Chiara Di Malta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Ivana Trapani
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Edoardo Nusco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | | | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luis Jv Galietta
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballabio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Diego Luis Medina
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy
| | - Ivan Conte
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli (Naples), Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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6
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Karali M, Guadagnino I, Marrocco E, De Cegli R, Carissimo A, Pizzo M, Casarosa S, Conte I, Surace EM, Banfi S. AAV-miR-204 Protects from Retinal Degeneration by Attenuation of Microglia Activation and Photoreceptor Cell Death. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2019; 19:144-156. [PMID: 31837604 PMCID: PMC6920266 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) represent a frequent cause of genetic blindness. Their high genetic heterogeneity hinders the application of gene-specific therapies to the vast majority of patients. We recently demonstrated that the microRNA miR-204 is essential for retinal function, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of miR-204 in IRDs. We subretinally delivered an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector carrying the miR-204 precursor to two genetically different IRD mouse models. The administration of AAV-miR-204 preserved retinal function in a mouse model for a dominant form of retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-P347S). This was associated with a reduction of apoptotic photoreceptor cells and with a better preservation of photoreceptor marker expression. Transcriptome analysis showed that miR-204 shifts expression profiles of transgenic retinas toward those of healthy retinas by the downregulation of microglia activation and photoreceptor cell death. Delivery of miR-204 exerted neuroprotective effects also in a mouse model of Leber congenital amaurosis, due to mutations of the Aipl1 gene. Our study highlights the mutation-independent therapeutic potential of AAV-miR204 in slowing down retinal degeneration in IRDs and unveils the previously unreported role of this miRNA in attenuating microglia activation and photoreceptor cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianthi Karali
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli,' via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples (NA), Italy
| | - Irene Guadagnino
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Rossella De Cegli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Annamaria Carissimo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Mariateresa Pizzo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Simona Casarosa
- Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; CNR Neuroscience Institute, via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ivan Conte
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; Department of Translational Medicine, 'Federico II' University, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli,' via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples (NA), Italy.
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7
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Botta S, de Prisco N, Marrocco E, Renda M, Sofia M, Curion F, Bacci ML, Ventrella D, Wilson C, Gesualdo C, Rossi S, Simonelli F, Surace EM. Targeting and silencing of rhodopsin by ectopic expression of the transcription factor KLF15. JCI Insight 2017; 2:96560. [PMID: 29263295 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.96560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome-wide activity of transcription factors (TFs) on multiple regulatory elements precludes their use as gene-specific regulators. Here we show that ectopic expression of a TF in a cell-specific context can be used to silence the expression of a specific gene as a therapeutic approach to regulate gene expression in human disease. We selected the TF Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) based on its putative ability to recognize a specific DNA sequence motif present in the rhodopsin (RHO) promoter and its lack of expression in terminally differentiated rod photoreceptors (the RHO-expressing cells). Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated ectopic expression of KLF15 in rod photoreceptors of pigs enables Rho silencing with limited genome-wide transcriptional perturbations. Suppression of a RHO mutant allele by KLF15 corrects the phenotype of a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa with no observed toxicity. Cell-specific-context conditioning of TF activity may prove a novel mode for somatic gene-targeted manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mario Renda
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy
| | - Martina Sofia
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabiola Curion
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Domenico Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cathal Wilson
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy
| | - Carlo Gesualdo
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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8
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Barbato S, Marrocco E, Intartaglia D, Pizzo M, Asteriti S, Naso F, Falanga D, Bhat RS, Meola N, Carissimo A, Karali M, Prosser HM, Cangiano L, Surace EM, Banfi S, Conte I. MiR-211 is essential for adult cone photoreceptor maintenance and visual function. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17004. [PMID: 29209045 PMCID: PMC5717140 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17331-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that play an important role in the control of fundamental biological processes in both physiological and pathological conditions. Their function in retinal cells is just beginning to be elucidated, and a few have been found to play a role in photoreceptor maintenance and function. MiR-211 is one of the most abundant miRNAs in the developing and adult eye. However, its role in controlling vertebrate visual system development, maintenance and function so far remain incompletely unexplored. Here, by targeted inactivation in a mouse model, we identify a critical role of miR-211 in cone photoreceptor function and survival. MiR-211 knockout (-/-) mice exhibited a progressive cone dystrophy accompanied by significant alterations in visual function. Transcriptome analysis of the retina from miR-211-/- mice during cone degeneration revealed significant alteration of pathways related to cell metabolism. Collectively, this study highlights for the first time the impact of miR-211 function in the retina and significantly contributes to unravelling the role of specific miRNAs in cone photoreceptor function and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Barbato
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Daniela Intartaglia
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Pizzo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Sabrina Asteriti
- Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56123, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Naso
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Danila Falanga
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Rajeshwari S Bhat
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Nicola Meola
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
- Aarhus University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, C.F. Møllers Allé 3 building 1130, 422-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Annamaria Carissimo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
| | - Marianthi Karali
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, University "Luigi Vanvitelli", via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Haydn M Prosser
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Cangiano
- Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy.
- Medical Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, University "Luigi Vanvitelli", via Luigi De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Ivan Conte
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli (Naples), 80078, Italy.
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9
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Zito E, Buono M, Pepe S, Settembre C, Annunziata I, Surace EM, Dierks T, Monti M, Cozzolino M, Pucci P, Ballabio A, Cosma MP. Sulfatase modifying factor 1 trafficking through the cells: from endoplasmic reticulum to the endoplasmic reticulum. EMBO J 2016; 35:2614-2615. [PMID: 27908960 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201670020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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10
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Botta S, Marrocco E, de Prisco N, Curion F, Renda M, Sofia M, Lupo M, Bacci ML, Gesualdo C, Rossi S, Simonelli F, Surace EM. 320. Transcriptional Silencing via Synthetic DNA Binding Protein Lacking Canonical Repressor Domains as a Potent Tool to Generate Therapeutics. Mol Ther 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(16)33129-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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11
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Botta S, Marrocco E, de Prisco N, Curion F, Renda M, Sofia M, Lupo M, Carissimo A, Bacci ML, Gesualdo C, Rossi S, Simonelli F, Surace EM. Rhodopsin targeted transcriptional silencing by DNA-binding. eLife 2016; 5:e12242. [PMID: 26974343 PMCID: PMC4805542 DOI: 10.7554/elife.12242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) operate by the combined activity of their DNA-binding domains (DBDs) and effector domains (EDs) enabling the coordination of gene expression on a genomic scale. Here we show that in vivo delivery of an engineered DNA-binding protein uncoupled from the repressor domain can produce efficient and gene-specific transcriptional silencing. To interfere with RHODOPSIN (RHO) gain-of-function mutations we engineered the ZF6-DNA-binding protein (ZF6-DB) that targets 20 base pairs (bp) of a RHOcis-regulatory element (CRE) and demonstrate Rho specific transcriptional silencing upon adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated expression in photoreceptors. The data show that the 20 bp-long genomic DNA sequence is necessary for RHO expression and that photoreceptor delivery of the corresponding cognate synthetic trans-acting factor ZF6-DB without the intrinsic transcriptional repression properties of the canonical ED blocks Rho expression with negligible genome-wide transcript perturbations. The data support DNA-binding-mediated silencing as a novel mode to treat gain-of-function mutations. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.12242.001 Proteins called transcription factors bind to sections of DNA known as regulatory elements to activate or deactivate nearby genes. In animals, transcription factors typically have two sections: a “DNA-binding domain” that attaches to DNA, and an “effector domain” that is responsible for interacting with other proteins to regulate the gene’s expression. Rhodopsin is a gene that encodes the instructions needed to make a light-sensitive protein in the eyes of humans and other animals. Botta et al. have now used this gene as an example to investigate whether proteins that contain a DNA-binding domain – but not an effector domain – can repress gene expression. The experiments show that only a small section of the regulatory elements in the human Rhodopsin gene is actually required for the gene to be expressed. Botta et al. designed an artificial protein – referred to as ZF6-DB – that is able to bind to this section of DNA. The binding of ZF6-DB to this short DNA section was sufficient to switch off a Rhodopsin gene in living pig cells, and, unlike conventional transcription factors, seemed to have minimal impact other genes. Next, Botta et al. used a virus to insert both the gene that encodes ZF6-DB and a normal copy of Rhodopsin into pigs. In these animals, ZF6-DB switched off the existing copy of Rhodopsin, but not the inserted copy so the cells produced a working form of the light-sensitive protein. Further experiments were carried out in mice that have both a faulty version and a normal copy of the Rhodopsin gene. ZF6-DB switched off the faulty Rhodopsin gene, which allowed the normal Rhodopsin gene to work without any interference from the faulty copy. Mutations in Rhodopsin can cause an eye disease that leads to severe loss of vision in humans. These new findings could now guide future efforts to develop treatments for people with this condition. It will also be important to investigate how ZF6-DB binds to the regulatory elements in the Rhodopsin gene and whether a similar strategy could be used to alter the expression of other genes. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.12242.002
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Fabiola Curion
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mario Renda
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy
| | - Martina Sofia
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Gesualdo
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Settimio Rossi
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Napoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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12
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Sorrentino NC, Maffia V, Strollo S, Cacace V, Romagnoli N, Manfredi A, Ventrella D, Dondi F, Barone F, Giunti M, Graham AR, Huang Y, Kalled SL, Auricchio A, Bacci ML, Surace EM, Fraldi A. A Comprehensive Map of CNS Transduction by Eight Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Serotypes Upon Cerebrospinal Fluid Administration in Pigs. Mol Ther 2015; 24:276-286. [PMID: 26639405 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2015.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid administration of recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors has been demonstrated to be effective in delivering therapeutic genes to the central nervous system (CNS) in different disease animal models. However, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of transduction patterns of the most promising rAAV serotypes for brain targeting in large animal models is missing. Here, we characterize distribution, transduction efficiency, and cellular targeting of rAAV serotypes 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, rh.10, rh.39, and rh.43 delivered into the cisterna magna of wild-type pigs. rAAV9 showed the highest transduction efficiency and the widest distribution capability among the vectors tested. Moreover, rAAV9 robustly transduced both glia and neurons, including the motor neurons of the spinal cord. Relevant cell transduction specificity of the glia was observed after rAAV1 and rAAV7 delivery. rAAV7 also displayed a specific tropism to Purkinje cells. Evaluation of biochemical and hematological markers suggested that all rAAV serotypes tested were well tolerated. This study provides a comprehensive CNS transduction map in a useful preclinical large animal model enabling the selection of potentially clinically transferable rAAV serotypes based on disease specificity. Therefore, our data are instrumental for the clinical evaluation of these rAAV vectors in human neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Veronica Maffia
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Sandra Strollo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cacace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Noemi Romagnoli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Manfredi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Barone
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Giunti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anne-Renee Graham
- Shire, Discovery Biology and Translational Research, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yan Huang
- Shire, Discovery Biology and Translational Research, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan L Kalled
- Shire, Discovery Biology and Translational Research, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alberto Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy; Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, "FEDERICO II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Surace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy; Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, "FEDERICO II" University, Naples, Italy.
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13
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Lambertini C, Ventrella D, Barone F, Sorrentino NC, Dondi F, Fraldi A, Giunti M, Surace EM, Bacci ML, Romagnoli N. Transdermal spinal catheter placement in piglets: Description and validation of the technique. J Neurosci Methods 2015; 255:17-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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14
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Testa F, Rossi S, Sodi A, Passerini I, Di Iorio V, Della Corte M, Banfi S, Surace EM, Menchini U, Auricchio A, Simonelli F. Correlation between photoreceptor layer integrity and visual function in patients with Stargardt disease: implications for gene therapy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2012; 53:4409-15. [PMID: 22661472 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.11-8201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To perform a clinical characterization of Stargardt patients with ABCA4 gene mutation, and to investigate the correlation between the inner and outer segment (IS/OS) junction morphology and visual acuity, fundus lesions, electroretinogram abnormalities, and macular sensitivity. METHODS Sixty-one patients with Stargardt disease (STGD) were given a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. Inner-outer photoreceptor junction morphology evaluated by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was correlated with visual acuity, fundus lesions, fundus autofluorescence, full-field and multifocal electroretinography responses, and microperimetric macular sensitivities. We classified STGD patients into three groups: (1) IS/OS junction disorganization in the fovea, (2) IS/OS junction loss in the fovea, and (3) extensive loss of IS/OS junction. Mutation analysis of the ABCA4 gene was carried out by sequencing the complete coding region. RESULTS A significant difference in visual acuity was observed between IS/OS groups 1 and 2 and between IS/OS groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.0001). A significant difference in microperimetry sensitivity was observed between IS/OS groups 2 and 3, and between IS/OS groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.0001). There was also a statistically significant correlation between IS/OS abnormalities and the extent of fundus lesions (Spearman P ≤ 0.01), as well as with the type of ERG and multifocal ERG results (Spearman P ≤ 0.01). Finally, the degree of IS/OS junction preservation showed a statistically significant correlation with the extension of foveal abnormalities assessed by fundus autofluorescence imaging (Spearman P ≤ 0.01). The G1961E mutation was more frequent in the patients without extensive loss of IS/OS junction (P = 0.01) confirming its association with a milder STGD phenotype. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that a comprehensive approach in the examination of Stargardt patients has the potential to improve the understanding of vision loss and may provide a sensitive measure to evaluate the efficacy of future experimental therapies in patients with STGD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Testa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Department of General Pathology, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
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15
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Meola N, Pizzo M, Alfano G, Surace EM, Banfi S. The long noncoding RNA Vax2os1 controls the cell cycle progression of photoreceptor progenitors in the mouse retina. RNA 2012; 18:111-123. [PMID: 22128341 PMCID: PMC3261733 DOI: 10.1261/rna.029454.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as regulators of many basic cellular pathways. Several lncRNAs are selectively expressed in the developing retina, although little is known about their functional role in this tissue. Vax2os1 is a retina-specific lncRNA whose expression is restricted to the mouse ventral retina. Here we demonstrate that spatiotemporal misexpression of Vax2os1 determines cell cycle alterations in photoreceptor progenitor cells. In particular, the overexpression of Vax2os1 in the developing early postnatal mouse retina causes an impaired cell cycle progression of photoreceptor progenitors toward their final committed fate and a consequent delay of their differentiation processes. At later developmental stages, this perturbation is accompanied by an increase of apoptotic events in the photoreceptor cell layer, in comparison with control retinas, without affecting the proper cell layering in the adult retina. Similar results are observed in mouse photoreceptor-derived 661W cells in which Vax2os1 overexpression results in an impairment of the cell cycle progression rate and cell differentiation. Based on these results, we conclude that Vax2os1 is involved in the control of cell cycle progression of photoreceptor progenitor cells in the ventral retina. Therefore, we propose Vax2os1 as the first example of lncRNA that acts as a cell cycle regulator in the mammalian retina during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Meola
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80131 Naples, Italy
- The Open University, MK7 6BJ, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Mariateresa Pizzo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Alfano
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), 80131 Naples, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of General Pathology, Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
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16
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Testa F, Surace EM, Rossi S, Marrocco E, Gargiulo A, Di Iorio V, Ziviello C, Nesti A, Fecarotta S, Bacci ML, Giunti M, Della Corte M, Banfi S, Auricchio A, Simonelli F. Evaluation of Italian patients with leber congenital amaurosis due to AIPL1 mutations highlights the potential applicability of gene therapy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011; 52:5618-24. [PMID: 21474771 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.10-6543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the suitability of gene delivery-based approaches as potential treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis 4 (LCA4) due to AIPL1 mutations. METHODS Genomic DNA from patients was analyzed using a microarray chip and direct sequencing. A detailed clinical evaluation including fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed in patients with AIPL1 mutations. Aipl1 null mice and porcine eyes were subretinally injected with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors harboring the human AIPL1 coding sequence. RESULTS We identified 10 LCA4 patients with mutations in AIPL1. The p.W278X sequence variation was the one most frequently found. Clinical assessment revealed common features including diffuse retinal dystrophies and maculopathy. However, optical coherence tomography showed partially retained photoreceptors in extramacular regions at all ages. The fundus autofluorescence was elicitable at the posterior pole and absent in the fovea. AAV-mediated gene transfer in Aipl1 -/- mice was associated with restoration of AIPL1 and βPDE expression in photoreceptors and protection from degeneration. Administration of a clinically relevant dose of AAV2/8-AIPL1 to the preclinical large porcine retina resulted in high level of AIPL1 photoreceptor expression in the absence of toxicity. CONCLUSIONS Using advanced imaging diagnostics we showed that maculopathy is a main feature of LCA4. We identified retinal areas at the posterior pole with surviving photoreceptors present even in adult LCA4 patients, which could be the target of gene therapy. The possible use of gene therapy for LCA4 is additionally supported by the protection from photoreceptor degeneration observed in Aipl 1-/- mice and by the high levels of photoreceptor transduction in the absence of toxicity observed after AAV2/8 delivery to the large porcine retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Testa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy
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17
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Karali M, Manfredi A, Puppo A, Marrocco E, Gargiulo A, Allocca M, Corte MD, Rossi S, Giunti M, Bacci ML, Simonelli F, Surace EM, Banfi S, Auricchio A. MicroRNA-restricted transgene expression in the retina. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22166. [PMID: 21818300 PMCID: PMC3144214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gene transfer using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has been successfully applied in the retina for the treatment of inherited retinal dystrophies. Recently, microRNAs have been exploited to fine-tune transgene expression improving therapeutic outcomes. Here we evaluated the ability of retinal-expressed microRNAs to restrict AAV-mediated transgene expression to specific retinal cell types that represent the main targets of common inherited blinding conditions. Methodology/Principal Findings To this end, we generated AAV2/5 vectors expressing EGFP and containing four tandem copies of miR-124 or miR-204 complementary sequences in the 3′UTR of the transgene expression cassette. These vectors were administered subretinally to adult C57BL/6 mice and Large White pigs. Our results demonstrate that miR-124 and miR-204 target sequences can efficiently restrict AAV2/5-mediated transgene expression to retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors, respectively, in mice and pigs. Interestingly, transgene restriction was observed at low vector doses relevant to therapy. Conclusions We conclude that microRNA-mediated regulation of transgene expression can be applied in the retina to either restrict to a specific cell type the robust expression obtained using ubiquitous promoters or to provide an additional layer of gene expression regulation when using cell-specific promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianthi Karali
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Manfredi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Agostina Puppo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Settimio Rossi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Giunti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science (DSMVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science (DSMVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- * E-mail: (AA); (SB)
| | - Alberto Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- * E-mail: (AA); (SB)
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18
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Mussolino C, della Corte M, Rossi S, Viola F, Di Vicino U, Marrocco E, Neglia S, Doria M, Testa F, Giovannoni R, Crasta M, Giunti M, Villani E, Lavitrano M, Bacci ML, Ratiglia R, Simonelli F, Auricchio A, Surace EM. AAV-mediated photoreceptor transduction of the pig cone-enriched retina. Gene Ther 2011; 18:637-45. [PMID: 21412286 PMCID: PMC3131697 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent success in clinical trials supports the use of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for gene therapy of retinal diseases caused by defects in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In contrast, evidence of the efficacy of AAV-mediated gene transfer to retinal photoreceptors, the major site of inherited retinal diseases, is less robust. In addition, although AAV-mediated RPE transduction appears efficient, independently of the serotype used and species treated, AAV-mediated photoreceptor gene transfer has not been systematically investigated thus so far in large animal models, which also may allow identifying relevant species-specific differences in AAV-mediated retinal transduction. In the present study, we used the porcine retina, which has a high cone/rod ratio. This feature allows to properly evaluate both cone and rod photoreceptors transduction and compare the transduction characteristics of AAV2/5 and 2/8, the two most efficient AAV vector serotypes for photoreceptor targeting. Here we show that AAV2/5 and 2/8 transduces both RPE and photoreceptors. AAV2/8 infects and transduces photoreceptor more efficiently than AAV2/5, similarly to what we have observed in the murine retina. The use of the photoreceptor-specific rhodopsin promoter restricts transgene expression to porcine rods and cones, and results in photoreceptor transduction levels similar to those obtained with the ubiquitous promoters tested. Finally, immunological, toxicological and biodistribution studies support the safety of AAV subretinal administration to the large porcine retina. The data presented here on AAV-mediated transduction of the cone-enriched porcine retina may affect the development of gene-based therapies for rare and common severe photoreceptor diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mussolino
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
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Gargiulo A, Testa F, Rossi S, Di Iorio V, Fecarotta S, de Berardinis T, Iovine A, Magli A, Signorini S, Fazzi E, Galantuomo MS, Fossarello M, Montefusco S, Ciccodicola A, Neri A, Macaluso C, Simonelli F, Surace EM. Molecular and clinical characterization of albinism in a large cohort of Italian patients. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011; 52:1281-9. [PMID: 20861488 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.10-6091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify the molecular basis of albinism in a large cohort of Italian patients showing typical ocular landmarks of the disease and to provide a full characterization of the clinical ophthalmic manifestations. METHODS DNA samples from 45 patients with ocular manifestations of albinism were analyzed by direct sequencing analysis of five genes responsible for albinism: TYR, P, TYRP1, SLC45A2 (MATP), and OA1. All patients studied showed a variable degree of skin and hair hypopigmentation. Eighteen patients with distinct mutations in each gene associated with OCA were evaluated by detailed ophthalmic analysis, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus autofluorescence. RESULTS Disease-causing mutations were identified in more than 95% of analyzed patients with OCA (28/45 [62.2%] cases with two or more mutations; 15/45 [33.3%] cases with one mutation). Thirty-five different mutant alleles were identified of which 15 were novel. Mutations in TYR were the most frequent (73.3%), whereas mutations in P occurred more rarely (13.3%) than previously reported. Novel mutations were also identified in rare loci such as TYRP1 and MATP. Mutations in the OA1 gene were not detected. Clinical assessment revealed that patients with iris and macular pigmentation had significantly higher visual acuity than did severe hypopigmented phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS TYR gene mutations represent a relevant cause of oculocutaneous albinism in Italy, whereas mutations in P present a lower frequency than that found in other populations. Clinical analysis revealed that the severity of the ocular manifestations depends on the degree of retinal pigmentation.
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Mussolino C, Sanges D, Marrocco E, Bonetti C, Di Vicino U, Marigo V, Auricchio A, Meroni G, Surace EM. Zinc-finger-based transcriptional repression of rhodopsin in a model of dominant retinitis pigmentosa. EMBO Mol Med 2011; 3:118-28. [PMID: 21268285 PMCID: PMC3085076 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201000119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2010] [Revised: 12/19/2010] [Accepted: 12/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent success of gene-based complementation approaches for genetic recessive traits, the development of therapeutic strategies for gain-of-function mutations poses great challenges. General therapeutic principles to correct these genetic defects mostly rely on post-transcriptional gene regulation (RNA silencing). Engineered zinc-finger (ZF) protein-based repression of transcription may represent a novel approach for treating gain-of-function mutations, although proof-of-concept of this use is still lacking. Here, we generated a series of transcriptional repressors to silence human rhodopsin (hRHO), the gene most abundantly expressed in retinal photoreceptors. The strategy was designed to suppress both the mutated and the wild-type hRHO allele in a mutational-independent fashion, to overcome mutational heterogeneity of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa due to hRHO mutations. Here we demonstrate that ZF proteins promote a robust transcriptional repression of hRHO in a transgenic mouse model of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Furthermore, we show that specifically decreasing the mutated human RHO transcript in conjunction with unaltered expression of the endogenous murine Rho gene results in amelioration of disease progression, as demonstrated by significant improvements in retinal morphology and function. This zinc-finger-based mutation-independent approach paves the way towards a 'repression-replacement' strategy, which is expected to facilitate widespread applications in the development of novel therapeutics for a variety of disorders that are due to gain-of-function mutations.
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Abstract
The relative contribution of extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms to cortical development is an intensely debated issue and an outstanding question in neurobiology. Currently, the emerging view is that interplay between intrinsic genetic mechanisms and extrinsic information shape different stages of cortical development [1]. Yet, whereas the intrinsic program of early neocortical developmental events has been at least in part decoded [2], the exact nature and impact of extrinsic signaling are still elusive and controversial. We found that in the mouse developing visual system, acute pharmacological inhibition of spontaneous retinal activity (retinal waves-RWs) during embryonic stages increase the rate of corticogenesis (cell cycle withdrawal). Furthermore, early perturbation of retinal spontaneous activity leads to changes of cortical layer structure at a later time point. These data suggest that mouse embryonic retina delivers long-distance information capable of modulating cell genesis in the developing visual cortex and that spontaneous activity is the candidate long-distance acting extrinsic cue mediating this process. In addition, these data may support spontaneous activity to be a general signal coordinating neurogenesis in other developing sensory pathways or areas of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Bonetti
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
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Zito E, Buono M, Pepe S, Settembre C, Annunziata I, Surace EM, Dierks T, Monti M, Cozzolino M, Pucci P, Ballabio A, Cosma MP. Sulfatase modifying factor 1 trafficking through the cells: from endoplasmic reticulum to the endoplasmic reticulum. EMBO J 2007; 26:2443-53. [PMID: 17446859 PMCID: PMC1868907 DOI: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2007] [Accepted: 03/26/2007] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfatase modifying factor 1 (SUMF1) is the gene mutated in multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD) that encodes the formylglycine-generating enzyme, an essential activator of all the sulfatases. SUMF1 is a glycosylated enzyme that is resident in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), although it is also secreted. Here, we demonstrate that upon secretion, SUMF1 can be taken up from the medium by several cell lines. Furthermore, the in vivo engineering of mice liver to produce SUMF1 shows its secretion into the blood serum and its uptake into different tissues. Additionally, we show that non-glycosylated forms of SUMF1 can still be secreted, while only the glycosylated SUMF1 enters cells, via a receptor-mediated mechanism. Surprisingly, following its uptake, SUMF1 shuttles from the plasma membrane to the ER, a route that has to date only been well characterized for some of the toxins. Remarkably, once taken up and relocalized into the ER, SUMF1 is still active, enhancing the sulfatase activities in both cultured cells and mice tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Zito
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Buono
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Pepe
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | | | - Ida Annunziata
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | | | - Thomas Dierks
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry I, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Maria Monti
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnology and Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Federico II University, Napoli, Italy
| | - Marianna Cozzolino
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnology and Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Federico II University, Napoli, Italy
| | - Piero Pucci
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnology and Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Federico II University, Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballabio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Cosma
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), via P Castellino 111, Naples 80131, Italy. Tel.: +39 081 6132226; Fax: +39 081 5609877; E-mail:
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Surace EM, Domenici L, Cortese K, Cotugno G, Di Vicino U, Venturi C, Cellerino A, Marigo V, Tacchetti C, Ballabio A, Auricchio A. Amelioration of both functional and morphological abnormalities in the retina of a mouse model of ocular albinism following AAV-mediated gene transfer. Mol Ther 2006; 12:652-8. [PMID: 16023414 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2005.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2005] [Revised: 05/24/2005] [Accepted: 06/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
X-linked recessive ocular albinism type I (OA1) is due to mutations in the OA1 gene (approved gene symbol GPR143), which is expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The Oa1 (Gpr143) knockout mouse (Oa1(-/-)) model recapitulates many of the OA1 retinal morphological anomalies, including a lower number of melanosomes of increased size in the RPE. The Oa1(-/-) mouse also displays some of the retinal developmental abnormalities observed in albino patients such as misrouting of the optic tracts. Here, we show that these anomalies are associated with retinal electrophysiological abnormalities, including significant decrease in a- and b-wave amplitude and delayed recovery of b-wave amplitude from photoreceptor desensitization following bright light exposure. This suggests that lack of Oa1 in the RPE impacts on photoreceptor activity. More interestingly, adeno-associated viral vector-mediated Oa1 gene transfer to the retina of the Oa1(-/-) mouse model results in significant recovery of its retinal functional abnormalities. In addition, Oa1 retinal gene transfer increases the number of melanosomes in the Oa1(-/-) mouse RPE. Our data show that gene transfer to the adult retina unexpectedly rescues both functional and morphological abnormalities in a retinal developmental disorder, opening novel potential therapeutic perspectives for this and other forms of albinism.
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Behling KC, Surace EM, Bennett J. Pigment epithelium-derived factor expression in the developing mouse eye. Mol Vis 2002; 8:449-54. [PMID: 12447163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) is a 50 kDa secretable protein with neuroprotective, neurotrophic, and antiangiogenic properties. Expression patterns in the human eye suggest that modulation of this protein over time and place may play a role in development of normal ocular vasculature. Because of the potential importance of normal PEDF expression patterns in controlling ocular blood vessel growth in health and disease, we characterized these patterns over the period of retinal vascular development in the mouse. METHODS Eyes from CD1 mice (embryonic days E 14.5, 18.5, P0, P4, P7, P14, and Adult) were cryosectioned and examined. A polyclonal PEDF antibody was used to locate PEDF protein using immunohistochemical techniques while a PEDF RNA probe was used to localize PEDF mRNA by in situ hybridization. RESULTS Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization showed initial expression in the ciliary body and choroid during mid-gestation. Near term, relative protein levels increased in the ganglion cell layer and remained high through the first two weeks postnatal. Levels qualitatively decreased after this point but persisted through adulthood. Relative levels of expression in the inner retina were much higher at all timepoints than in the outer retina. CONCLUSIONS These expression patterns likely maintain the vitreous and aqueous humors as avascular spaces and may also control vascular development in the inner/outer retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Behling
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6069, USA
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Karakousis PC, John SK, Behling KC, Surace EM, Smith JE, Hendrickson A, Tang WX, Bennett J, Milam AH. Localization of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) in developing and adult human ocular tissues. Mol Vis 2001; 7:154-63. [PMID: 11438800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To localize pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in developing and adult human ocular tissues. METHODS PEDF was localized in fetal and adult eyes by immunofluorescence with a polyclonal antibody (pAb) against amino acids 327-343 of PEDF, or a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the C-terminal 155 amino acids of PEDF. Specificity of the antibodies was documented by Western blotting. PEDF mRNA was localized in adult retina by in situ hybridization. RESULTS In developing retinas (7.4 to 21.5 fetal weeks, Fwks), pAb anti-PEDF labeled retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) granules, developing cones, some neuroblasts and many cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). In adult retinas, pAb anti-PEDF labeled rod and cone cytoplasm and nuclei of rods but not cones. Cells in the INL and GCL, choroid, corneal epithelium and endothelium, and ciliary body were also pAb PEDF-positive. Preadsorption of pAb anti-PEDF with the immunizing peptide blocked specific labeling in retina and other tissues, except for photoreceptor outer segments. In agreement with the immunolocalization with pAb anti-PEDF, in situ hybridization revealed PEDF mRNA in the RPE, photoreceptors, inner nuclear layer cells and ganglion cells in adult retina. In developing retinas 18 Fwks and older, and in adult retinas, mAb anti-PEDF labeled the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM). Western blots of retina, cornea, and ciliary body/iris with pAb anti-PEDF produced several bands at about 46 kDa. With mAb anti-PEDF, retina produced one band at about 46 kDa; cornea and ciliary body/iris had several bands at about 46 kDa. CONCLUSIONS PEDF, originally reported as a product of RPE cells, is present in photoreceptors and inner retinal cell types in developing and adult human eyes. Photoreceptors and RPE may secrete PEDF into the IPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Karakousis
- F. M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Surace EM, Angeletti B, Ballabio A, Marigo V. Expression pattern of the ocular albinism type 1 (Oa1) gene in the murine retinal pigment epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2000; 41:4333-7. [PMID: 11095635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Mutations in the OA1 gene cause ocular albinism type 1 (OA1), an X-linked form of albinism affecting only the eye, with skin pigmentation appearing normal. To better understand the pathogenesis of this disease the time of onset and the pattern of expression of the mouse homolog of the OA1 gene were monitored during eye development. The localization of Oa1 mRNA was studied and compared with the expression of other genes involved in melanosomal biogenesis. METHODS The Oa1 expression pattern during eye development and after birth was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. Localization of Oa1 mRNA was compared with TYROSINASE: (TYR:), pink-eyed dilution (p), and Pax2 expression patterns. RESULTS RT-PCR revealed that Oa1 expression began at embryonic day (E)10.5 and was maintained until adulthood. By in situ hybridization analysis Oa1 transcripts were detected in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) beginning at E10.5 in the dorsal part of the eyecup and in the same area where transcripts of other genes involved in pigmentation are found. Of note, the expression pattern of these genes was complementary to Pax2 expression, which was restricted to the ventral side of the optic cup. At later stages, expression of Oa1, TYR:, and p expanded to the entire RPE and ciliary body. CONCLUSIONS Oa1 expression can be detected at early stages of RPE development, together with other genes involved in pigmentation defects. Oa1 is likely to play an important function in melanosomal biogenesis in the RPE beginning during the earliest steps of melanosome formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Surace
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine and the. Universitá Vita e Salute, San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Incerti B, Cortese K, Pizzigoni A, Surace EM, Varani S, Coppola M, Jeffery G, Seeliger M, Jaissle G, Bennett DC, Marigo V, Schiaffino MV, Tacchetti C, Ballabio A. Oa1 knock-out: new insights on the pathogenesis of ocular albinism type 1. Hum Mol Genet 2000; 9:2781-8. [PMID: 11092754 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/9.19.2781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular albinism type I (OA1) is an X-linked disorder characterized by severe reduction of visual acuity, strabismus, photophobia and nystagmus. Ophthalmologic examination reveals hypopigmentation of the retina, foveal hypoplasia and iris translucency. Microscopic examination of both retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and skin melanocytes shows the presence of large pigment granules called giant melanosomes or macromelanosomes. In this study, we have generated and characterized Oa1-deficient mice by gene targeting (KO). The KO males are viable, fertile and phenotypically indistinguishable from the wild-type littermates. Ophthalmologic examination shows hypopigmentation of the ocular fundus in mutant animals compared with wild-type. Analysis of the retinofugal pathway reveals a reduction in the size of the uncrossed pathway, demonstrating a misrouting of the optic fibres at the chiasm, as observed in OA1 patients. Microscopic examination of the RPE shows the presence of giant melanosomes comparable with those described in OA1 patients. Ultrastructural analysis of the RPE cells, suggests that the giant melanosomes may form by abnormal growth of single melanosomes, rather than the fusion of several, shedding light on the pathogenesis of ocular albinism.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Incerti
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, San Raffaele Biomedical Science Park, Via Olgettina 58, I-20132 Milan, Italy.
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Bassi MT, Sperandeo MP, Incerti B, Bulfone A, Pepe A, Surace EM, Gattuso C, De Grandi A, Buoninconti A, Riboni M, Manzoni M, Andria G, Ballabio A, Borsani G, Sebastio G. SLC7A8, a gene mapping within the lysinuric protein intolerance critical region, encodes a new member of the glycoprotein-associated amino acid transporter family. Genomics 1999; 62:297-303. [PMID: 10610726 DOI: 10.1006/geno.1999.5978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Using a bioinformatic approach, we have identified a new transcript, SLC7A8, mapping to 14q11.2, within the lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) critical region. This gene is highly expressed in skeletal muscle, intestine, kidney, and placenta and encodes a predicted protein of 535 amino acids, homologous to the amino acid permease CD98 light chain and cationic amino acid transporters. RNA in situ hybridization data on mouse embryos confirm the expression in kidney and intestine and, interestingly, reveal that SLC7A8 is also highly expressed in eye, in retinal pigmented epithelium, and in tooth buds at day 16.5 of gestation. Mutational analysis excluded any direct involvement of the SLC7A8 gene product in LPI disease. The homology data and the expression pattern are in agreement with the hypothesis that SLC7A8 represents a novel light chain interacting with the 4F2 heavy chain in the multimeric complex mediating neutral and/or cationic amino acid transport and cystine/glutamate exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Bassi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), San Raffaele Biomedical Science Park, Milan, Italy
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