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Bovi Dos Santos G, de Lima-Vasconcellos TH, Móvio MI, Birbrair A, Del Debbio CB, Kihara AH. New Perspectives in Stem Cell Transplantation and Associated Therapies to Treat Retinal Diseases: From Gene Editing to 3D Bioprinting. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:722-737. [PMID: 38319527 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-024-10689-4] [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] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Inherited and non-inherited retinopathies can affect distinct cell types, leading to progressive cell death and visual loss. In the last years, new approaches have indicated exciting opportunities to treat retinopathies. Cell therapy in retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular disease, and glaucoma have yielded encouraging results in rodents and humans. The first two diseases mainly impact the photoreceptors and the retinal pigmented epithelium, while glaucoma primarily affects the ganglion cell layer. Induced pluripotent stem cells and multipotent stem cells can be differentiated in vitro to obtain specific cell types for use in transplant as well as to assess the impact of candidate molecules aimed at treating retinal degeneration. Moreover, stem cell therapy is presented in combination with newly developed methods, such as gene editing, Müller cells dedifferentiation, sheet & drug delivery, virus-like particles, optogenetics, and 3D bioprinting. This review describes the recent advances in this field, by presenting an updated panel based on cell transplants and related therapies to treat retinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrieli Bovi Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Marília Inês Móvio
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexander Birbrair
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Sciences Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rm 4385, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Carolina Beltrame Del Debbio
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Hiroaki Kihara
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
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Lye J, Delaney DS, Leith FK, Sardesai VS, McLenachan S, Chen FK, Atlas MD, Wong EYM. Recent Therapeutic Progress and Future Perspectives for the Treatment of Hearing Loss. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3347. [PMID: 38137568 PMCID: PMC10741758 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123347] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from various forms of hearing loss, with an additional 1.1 billion people at risk from various insults such as increased consumption of recreational noise-emitting devices and ageing. The most common type of hearing impairment is sensorineural hearing loss caused by the degeneration or malfunction of cochlear hair cells or spiral ganglion nerves in the inner ear. There is currently no cure for hearing loss. However, emerging frontier technologies such as gene, drug or cell-based therapies offer hope for an effective cure. In this review, we discuss the current therapeutic progress for the treatment of hearing loss. We describe and evaluate the major therapeutic approaches being applied to hearing loss and summarize the key trials and studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joey Lye
- Hearing Therapeutics, Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.L.); (D.S.D.); (F.K.L.); (V.S.S.); (M.D.A.)
- Centre for Ear Sciences, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Derek S. Delaney
- Hearing Therapeutics, Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.L.); (D.S.D.); (F.K.L.); (V.S.S.); (M.D.A.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Fiona K. Leith
- Hearing Therapeutics, Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.L.); (D.S.D.); (F.K.L.); (V.S.S.); (M.D.A.)
- Centre for Ear Sciences, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Varda S. Sardesai
- Hearing Therapeutics, Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.L.); (D.S.D.); (F.K.L.); (V.S.S.); (M.D.A.)
| | - Samuel McLenachan
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (S.M.); (F.K.C.)
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Fred K. Chen
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (S.M.); (F.K.C.)
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Vitroretinal Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Marcus D. Atlas
- Hearing Therapeutics, Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.L.); (D.S.D.); (F.K.L.); (V.S.S.); (M.D.A.)
- Centre for Ear Sciences, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Elaine Y. M. Wong
- Hearing Therapeutics, Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; (J.L.); (D.S.D.); (F.K.L.); (V.S.S.); (M.D.A.)
- Centre for Ear Sciences, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
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Sanjurjo-Soriano C, Jimenez-Medina C, Erkilic N, Cappellino L, Lefevre A, Nagel-Wolfrum K, Wolfrum U, Van Wijk E, Roux AF, Meunier I, Kalatzis V. USH2A variants causing retinitis pigmentosa or Usher syndrome provoke differential retinal phenotypes in disease-specific organoids. HGG ADVANCES 2023; 4:100229. [PMID: 37654703 PMCID: PMC10465966 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100229] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an emblematic clinical and genetic heterogeneity associated with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). The most common form is retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a rod-cone dystrophy caused by pathogenic variants in over 80 different genes. Further complexifying diagnosis, different variants in individual RP genes can also alter the clinical phenotype. USH2A is the most prevalent gene for autosomal-recessive RP and one of the most challenging because of its large size and, hence, large number of variants. Moreover, USH2A variants give rise to non-syndromic and syndromic RP, known as Usher syndrome (USH) type 2, which is associated with vision and hearing loss. The lack of a clear genotype-phenotype correlation or prognostic models renders diagnosis highly challenging. We report here a long-awaited differential non-syndromic RP and USH phenotype in three human disease-specific models: fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and mature iPSC-derived retinal organoids. Moreover, we identified distinct retinal phenotypes in organoids from multiple RP and USH individuals, which were validated by isogenic-corrected controls. Non-syndromic RP organoids showed compromised photoreceptor differentiation, whereas USH organoids showed a striking and unexpected cone phenotype. Furthermore, complementary clinical investigations identified macular atrophy in a high proportion of USH compared with RP individuals, further validating our observations that USH2A variants differentially affect cones. Overall, identification of distinct non-syndromic RP and USH phenotypes in multiple models provides valuable and robust readouts for testing the pathogenicity of USH2A variants as well as the efficacy of therapeutic approaches in complementary cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Sanjurjo-Soriano
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Carla Jimenez-Medina
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Nejla Erkilic
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Luisina Cappellino
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Arnaud Lefevre
- National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, University of Montpellier, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Kerstin Nagel-Wolfrum
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Molecular Cell Biology, and Photoreceptor Cell Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Uwe Wolfrum
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Molecular Cell Biology, and Photoreceptor Cell Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Erwin Van Wijk
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hearing, & Genes, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anne-Françoise Roux
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, University of Montpellier, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Isabelle Meunier
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, University of Montpellier, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Vasiliki Kalatzis
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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Lapshin EV, Gershovich YG, Karabelsky AV. The Potential and Application of iPSCs in Gene and Cell Therapy for Retinopathies and Optic Neuropathies. Acta Naturae 2023; 15:56-64. [PMID: 38234607 PMCID: PMC10790360 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.25454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on in vitro modeling of diseases and the development of therapeutic strategies using iPSCs for the two most common types of optical pathologies: hereditary neuropathies and retinopathies. Degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and the subsequent optic nerve atrophy leads to various types of neuropathies. Damage to photoreceptor cells or retinal pigment epithelium cells causes various retinopathies. Human iPSCs can be used as a model for studying the pathological foundations of diseases and for developing therapies to restore visual function. In recent years, significant progress has also been made in creating ganglionic and retinal organoids from iPSCs. Different research groups have published data pertaining to the potential of using iPSCs for the modeling of optic neuropathies such as glaucoma, Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, etc., including in the development of therapeutic approaches using gene editing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. V. Lapshin
- Gene Therapy Department, Science Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Krasnodar Region, Sirius, 354340 Russian Federation
| | - Y. G. Gershovich
- Gene Therapy Department, Science Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Krasnodar Region, Sirius, 354340 Russian Federation
| | - A. V. Karabelsky
- Gene Therapy Department, Science Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Krasnodar Region, Sirius, 354340 Russian Federation
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Toms M, Toualbi L, Almeida PV, Harbottle R, Moosajee M. Successful large gene augmentation of USH2A with non-viral episomal vectors. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2755-2766. [PMID: 37337429 PMCID: PMC10491995 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.06.012] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
USH2A mutations are a common cause of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Usher syndrome, for which there are currently no approved treatments. Gene augmentation is a valuable therapeutic strategy for treating many inherited retinal diseases; however, conventional adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy cannot accommodate cDNAs exceeding 4.7 kb, such as the 15.6-kb-long USH2A coding sequence. In the present study, we adopted an alternative strategy to successfully generate scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) DNA plasmid vectors containing the full-length human USH2A coding sequence, a GFP reporter gene, and a ubiquitous promoter (CMV or CAG), reaching a size of approximately 23 kb. We assessed the vectors in transfected HEK293 cells and USH2A patient-derived dermal fibroblasts in addition to ush2au507 zebrafish microinjected with the vector at the one-cell stage. pS/MAR-USH2A vectors drove persistent transgene expression in patient fibroblasts with restoration of usherin. Twelve months of GFP expression was detected in the photoreceptor cells, with rescue of Usher 2 complex localization in the photoreceptors of ush2au507 zebrafish retinas injected with pS/MAR-USH2A. To our knowledge, this is the first reported vector that can be used to express full-length usherin with functional rescue. S/MAR DNA vectors have shown promise as a novel non-viral retinal gene therapy, warranting further translational development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Toms
- Development, Ageing, and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Lyes Toualbi
- Development, Ageing, and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Patrick V Almeida
- DNA Vector Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Harbottle
- DNA Vector Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Development, Ageing, and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK.
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Balmas E, Sozza F, Bottini S, Ratto ML, Savorè G, Becca S, Snijders KE, Bertero A. Manipulating and studying gene function in human pluripotent stem cell models. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2250-2287. [PMID: 37519013 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14709] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are uniquely suited to study human development and disease and promise to revolutionize regenerative medicine. These applications rely on robust methods to manipulate gene function in hPSC models. This comprehensive review aims to both empower scientists approaching the field and update experienced stem cell biologists. We begin by highlighting challenges with manipulating gene expression in hPSCs and their differentiated derivatives, and relevant solutions (transfection, transduction, transposition, and genomic safe harbor editing). We then outline how to perform robust constitutive or inducible loss-, gain-, and change-of-function experiments in hPSCs models, both using historical methods (RNA interference, transgenesis, and homologous recombination) and modern programmable nucleases (particularly CRISPR/Cas9 and its derivatives, i.e., CRISPR interference, activation, base editing, and prime editing). We further describe extension of these approaches for arrayed or pooled functional studies, including emerging single-cell genomic methods, and the related design and analytical bioinformatic tools. Finally, we suggest some directions for future advancements in all of these areas. Mastering the combination of these transformative technologies will empower unprecedented advances in human biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Balmas
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Sozza
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Sveva Bottini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Ratto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Savorè
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Silvia Becca
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Kirsten Esmee Snijders
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertero
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
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Duncan JL, Cheng P, Maguire MG, Ayala AA, Birch DG, Cheetham JK, Durham TA, Fahim AT, Hoyng CB, Ishikawa H, Michaelides M, Pennesi ME, Sahel JA, Stingl K, Weng CY. Static Perimetry in the Rate of Progression in USH2A-related Retinal Degeneration (RUSH2A) Study: Assessment Through 2 Years. Am J Ophthalmol 2023; 250:103-110. [PMID: 36764426 PMCID: PMC10705000 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.02.002] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate disease progression using static perimetry (SP) in patients with USH2A-related retinal degeneration, including Usher syndrome type 2 (USH2) and nonsyndromic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. DESIGN Prospective, observational cohort study. METHODS A total of 102 patients with biallelic disease-causing sequence variants in USH2A with baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) letter score ≥54 were recruited from 16 clinical sites in Europe and North America. SP, BCVA, full-field stimulus thresholds, spectral domain optical coherence tomography macular scans, and fundus-guided mesopic microperimetry were performed at baseline and annually. The main outcome measures were total hill of vision (VTOT), hill of vision in the central 30° (V30), VTOT minus V30 (VPERIPH), and mean sensitivity. RESULTS The average decline (95% CI) was 2.05 (1.40, 2.70) decibel-steradian (dB-sr)/y for VTOT, 0.48 (0.32, 0.65) dB-sr/y for V30, 1.53 (0.97, 2.08) dB-sr/y for VPERIPH, and 0.55 (0.40, 0.71) dB/y for mean sensitivity. Average percentage decline per year was 8.3 (5.5, 11.1) for VTOT, 5.2 (3.0, 7.4) for V30, 16.0 (9.5, 22.0) for VPERIPH, and 5.1 (3.5, 6.7) for mean sensitivity. Changes from baseline to year 2 in all SP measures were highly correlated (r's ranging from 0.52 [V30 vs VPERIPH] to 0.98 [VTOT vs VPERIPH]). CONCLUSIONS Quantitative measures of SP declined significantly over 2 years in USH2A-related retinal degeneration. The annual percentage rate of change was greatest for VTOT and VPERIPH, whereas V30 and mean sensitivity changed least, reflecting earlier and more severe peripheral degeneration compared with central loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacque L Duncan
- From the University of California, San Francisco (J.L.D.), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Peiyao Cheng
- Jaeb Center for Health Research (P.C., M.G.M., A.A.A.), Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Maureen G Maguire
- Jaeb Center for Health Research (P.C., M.G.M., A.A.A.), Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Allison A Ayala
- Jaeb Center for Health Research (P.C., M.G.M., A.A.A.), Tampa, Florida, USA.
| | - David G Birch
- Retina Foundation of the Southwest (D.G.B.), Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Janet K Cheetham
- Foundation Fighting Blindness (J.K.C., T.A.D.), Columbia, Maryland, USA
| | - Todd A Durham
- Foundation Fighting Blindness (J.K.C., T.A.D.), Columbia, Maryland, USA
| | - Abigail T Fahim
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan (A.T.F.), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Carel B Hoyng
- Radboud University Medical Center (C.B.H.), Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hiroshi Ishikawa
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University (H.I., M.E.P.), Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (M.M.), London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark E Pennesi
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University (H.I., M.E.P.), Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS (J.A.-S.), Paris, France; Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, INSERM-DGOS CIC1423 (J.A.-S.), Paris, France; Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katarina Stingl
- University Eye Hospital, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen (K.S.), Tübingen, Germany; Center for Rare Eye Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen (K.S.), Germany
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Hu X, Zhang B, Li X, Li M, Wang Y, Dan H, Zhou J, Wei Y, Ge K, Li P, Song Z. The application and progression of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in ophthalmological diseases. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:607-617. [PMID: 35915232 PMCID: PMC9998618 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-022-02169-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease (Cas) system is an adaptive immune defence system that has gradually evolved in bacteria and archaea to combat invading viruses and exogenous DNA. Advances in technology have enabled researchers to enhance their understanding of the immune process in vivo and its potential for use in genome editing. Thus far, applications of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology in ophthalmology have included gene therapy for corneal dystrophy, glaucoma, congenital cataract, Leber's congenital amaurosis, retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, fundus neovascular disease, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinoblastoma and other eye diseases. Additionally, the combination of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology with adeno-associated virus vector and inducible pluripotent stem cells provides further therapeutic avenues for the treatment of eye diseases. Nonetheless, many challenges remain in the development of clinically feasible retinal genome editing therapy. This review discusses the development, as well as mechanism of CRISPR/Cas9 and its applications and challenges in gene therapy for eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xumeng Hu
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Xiaoli Li
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Miao Li
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Yange Wang
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Handong Dan
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Jiamu Zhou
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Yuanmeng Wei
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Keke Ge
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Pan Li
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Zongming Song
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institution, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.
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9
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Giallongo S, Lo Re O, Resnick I, Raffaele M, Vinciguerra M. Gene Editing and Human iPSCs in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1396:275-298. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-5642-3_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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10
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Benati D, Leung A, Perdigao P, Toulis V, van der Spuy J, Recchia A. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Genome-Editing Tools in Determining Gene Function and Therapy for Inherited Retinal Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315276. [PMID: 36499601 PMCID: PMC9735568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315276] [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: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal disorders (IRDs) affect millions of people worldwide and are a major cause of irreversible blindness. Therapies based on drugs, gene augmentation or transplantation approaches have been widely investigated and proposed. Among gene therapies for retinal degenerative diseases, the fast-evolving genome-editing CRISPR/Cas technology has emerged as a new potential treatment. The CRISPR/Cas system has been developed as a powerful genome-editing tool in ophthalmic studies and has been applied not only to gain proof of principle for gene therapies in vivo, but has also been extensively used in basic research to model diseases-in-a-dish. Indeed, the CRISPR/Cas technology has been exploited to genetically modify human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model retinal disorders in vitro, to test in vitro drugs and therapies and to provide a cell source for autologous transplantation. In this review, we will focus on the technological advances in iPSC-based cellular reprogramming and gene editing technologies to create human in vitro models that accurately recapitulate IRD mechanisms towards the development of treatments for retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Benati
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Amy Leung
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Pedro Perdigao
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | | | - Alessandra Recchia
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence: (J.v.d.S.); (A.R.)
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Bekaert B, Boel A, Cosemans G, De Witte L, Menten B, Heindryckx B. CRISPR/Cas gene editing in the human germline. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:93-107. [PMID: 35305903 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.012] [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: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The ease and efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9 germline gene editing in animal models paved the way to human germline gene editing (HGGE), by which permanent changes can be introduced into the embryo. Distinct genes can be knocked out to examine their function during embryonic development. Alternatively, specific sequences can be introduced which can be applied to correct disease-causing mutations. To date, it has been shown that the success of HGGE is dependent on various experimental parameters and that various hurdles (i.e. loss-of-heterozygosity and mosaicism) need to be overcome before clinical applications should be considered. Due to the shortage of human germline material and the ethical constraints concerning HGGE, alternative models such as stem cells have been evaluated as well, in terms of their predictive value on the genetic outcome for HGGE approaches. This review will give an overview of the state of the art of HGGE in oocytes and embryos, and its accompanying challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Bekaert
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - A Boel
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - G Cosemans
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - L De Witte
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - B Menten
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - B Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, a Stepping Stone to In Vitro Human Models of Hearing Loss. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203331. [PMID: 36291196 PMCID: PMC9600035 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hearing loss is the most prevalent sensorineural impairment in humans. Yet despite very active research, no effective therapy other than the cochlear implant has reached the clinic. Main reasons for this failure are the multifactorial nature of the disorder, its heterogeneity, and a late onset that hinders the identification of etiological factors. Another problem is the lack of human samples such that practically all the work has been conducted on animals. Although highly valuable data have been obtained from such models, there is the risk that inter-species differences exist that may compromise the relevance of the gathered data. Human-based models are therefore direly needed. The irruption of human induced pluripotent stem cell technologies in the field of hearing research offers the possibility to generate an array of otic cell models of human origin; these may enable the identification of guiding signalling cues during inner ear development and of the mechanisms that lead from genetic alterations to pathology. These models will also be extremely valuable when conducting ototoxicity analyses and when exploring new avenues towards regeneration in the inner ear. This review summarises some of the work that has already been conducted with these cells and contemplates future possibilities.
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Mustafi D, Bharathan SP, Calderon R, Nagiel A. HUMAN CELLULAR MODELS FOR RETINAL DISEASE: From Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Organoids. Retina 2022; 42:1829-1835. [PMID: 35858274 PMCID: PMC10119785 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000003571] [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: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To provide a concise review of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and retinal organoids as models for human retinal diseases and their role in gene discovery and treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). METHODS A PubMed literature review was performed for models of human retinal disease, including animal models and human pluripotent stem cell-derived models. RESULTS There is a growing body of research on retinal disease using human pluripotent stem cells. This is a significant change from just a decade ago when most research was performed on animal models. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cells has permitted not only the generation of two-dimensional human cell cultures such as RPE but also more recently the generation of three-dimensional retinal organoids that better reflect the multicellular laminar architecture of the human retina. CONCLUSION Modern stem cell techniques are improving our ability to model human retinal disease in vitro, especially with the use of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. In the future, a personalized approach may be used in which the individual's unique genotype can be modeled in two-dimensional culture or three-dimensional organoids and then rescued with an optimized therapy before treating the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debarshi Mustafi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Karalis Johnson Retina Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sumitha P Bharathan
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rosanna Calderon
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Development, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; and
| | - Aaron Nagiel
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Ophthalmology, Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Li W, Jiang XS, Han DM, Gao JY, Yang ZT, Jiang L, Zhang Q, Zhang SH, Gao Y, Wu JH, Li JK. Genetic Characteristics and Variation Spectrum of USH2A-Related Retinitis Pigmentosa and Usher Syndrome. Front Genet 2022; 13:900548. [PMID: 36110214 PMCID: PMC9468824 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.900548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purposes: We aimed to characterize the USH2A genotypic spectrum in a Chinese cohort and provide a detailed genetic profile for Chinese patients with USH2A-IRD.Methods: We designed a retrospective study wherein a total of 1,334 patients diagnosed with IRD were included as a study cohort, namely 1,278 RP and 56 USH patients, as well as other types of IEDs patients and healthy family members as a control cohort. The genotype-phenotype correlation of all participants with USH2A variant was evaluated.Results: Etiological mutations in USH2A, the most common cause of RP and USH, were found in 16.34% (n = 218) genetically solved IRD patients, with prevalences of 14.87% (190/1,278) and 50% (28/56). After bioinformatics and QC processing, 768 distinct USH2A variants were detected in all participants, including 136 disease-causing mutations present in 665 alleles, distributed in 5.81% of all participants. Of these 136 mutations, 43 were novel, nine were founder mutations, and two hot spot mutations with allele count ≥10. Furthermore, 38.5% (84/218) of genetically solved USH2A-IRD patients were caused by at least one of both c.2802T>G and c.8559–2 A>G mutations, and 36.9% and 69.6% of the alleles in the RP and USH groups were truncating, respectively.Conclusion: USH2A-related East Asian-specific founder and hot spot mutations were the major causes for Chinese RP and USH patients. Our study systematically delineated the genotype spectrum of USH2A-IRD, enabled accurate genetic diagnosis, and provided East Asian and other ethnicities with baseline data of a Chinese origin, which would better serve genetic counseling and therapeutic targets selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Li, ; Ya Gao, ; Ji-Hong Wu, ; Jian-Kang Li,
| | - Xiao-Sen Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dong-Ming Han
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jia-Yu Gao
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zheng-Tao Yang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Laizhou City People’s Hospital, Yantai, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sheng-Hai Zhang
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, College of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya Gao
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Li, ; Ya Gao, ; Ji-Hong Wu, ; Jian-Kang Li,
| | - Ji-Hong Wu
- Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, College of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Li, ; Ya Gao, ; Ji-Hong Wu, ; Jian-Kang Li,
| | - Jian-Kang Li
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Li, ; Ya Gao, ; Ji-Hong Wu, ; Jian-Kang Li,
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Rosa RH, Xie W, Zhao M, Tsai SH, Roddy GW, Su MG, Potts LB, Hein TW, Kuo L. Intravitreal Administration of Stanniocalcin-1 Rescues Photoreceptor Degeneration with Reduced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in a Porcine Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Am J Ophthalmol 2022; 239:230-243. [PMID: 35307380 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the effect of stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1), a secreted polypeptide exhibiting multiple functions in cell survival and death, on photoreceptor degeneration in a porcine model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS P23H transgenic pigs (TG P23H) and wild-type hybrid littermates were obtained from the National Swine Resource and Research Center. Human recombinant STC-1 was injected intravitreally every 2 weeks from postnatal day 15 (P15) to P75. The contralateral eye was injected with balanced salt solution as a control. Electroretinography (ERG) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were performed to evaluate retinal function and morphology in vivo at P90. Retinal tissue was collected for histologic analysis and molecular assays to evaluate the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms by which STC-1 may rescue photoreceptor degeneration. RESULTS Intravitreal injection of STC-1 improved retinal function in TG P23H pigs with increased photopic and flicker ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes. Greater integrity of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) band on SD-OCT and morphologic rescue with preservation of cone photoreceptors were observed in STC-1-treated TG P23H pigs. STC-1 altered gene expression in TG P23H pig retina on microarray analysis and increased photoreceptor specific gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. STC-1 significantly decreased oxidative stress and the expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome, cleaved caspase-1, and IL-1β in TG P23H pig retina. CONCLUSIONS Intravitreal administration of STC-1 enhances cone photoreceptor function, improves EZ integrity, and reduces retinal degeneration through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in a large animal (pig) model of the most common form of autosomal dominant RP in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Rosa
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, ST, LP, TH, LK); Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, MS, LP, TH, LK).
| | - Wankun Xie
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, ST, LP, TH, LK); Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, MS, LP, TH, LK)
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, ST, LP, TH, LK); Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, MS, LP, TH, LK)
| | - Shu-Huai Tsai
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, ST, LP, TH, LK)
| | - Gavin W Roddy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (GR)
| | - Maxwell G Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, MS, LP, TH, LK)
| | - Luke B Potts
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, ST, LP, TH, LK); Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, MS, LP, TH, LK)
| | - Travis W Hein
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, ST, LP, TH, LK); Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, MS, LP, TH, LK)
| | - Lih Kuo
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, ST, LP, TH, LK); Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor Scott & White Eye Institute, Temple, TX, USA (RR, WX, MZ, MS, LP, TH, LK)
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Zaw K, Carvalho LS, Aung-Htut MT, Fletcher S, Wilton SD, Chen FK, McLenachan S. Pathogenesis and Treatment of Usher Syndrome Type IIA. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2022; 11:369-379. [PMID: 36041150 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH) is the most common form of deaf-blindness, with an estimated prevalence of 4.4 to 16.6 per 100,000 people worldwide. The most common form of USH is type IIA (USH2A), which is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the USH2A gene and accounts for around half of all USH cases. USH2A patients show moderate to severe hearing loss from birth, with diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa in the second decade of life and variable vestibular involvement. Although hearing aids or cochlear implants can provide some mitigation of hearing deficits, there are currently no treatments aimed at preventing or restoring vision loss in USH2A patients. In this review, we first provide an overview of the molecular biology of the USH2A gene and its protein isoforms, which include a transmembrane protein (TM usherin) and an extracellular protein (EC usherin). The role of these proteins in the inner ear and retina and their impact on the pathogenesis of USH2A is discussed. We review animal cell-derived and patient cell-derived models currently used in USH2A research and conclude with an overview of potential treatment strategies currently in preclinical development and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khine Zaw
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Livia S Carvalho
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - May T Aung-Htut
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sue Fletcher
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Steve D Wilton
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Fred K Chen
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samuel McLenachan
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
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Markova TG, Lalayants MR, Alekseeva NN, Ryzhkova OP, Shatokhina OL, Galeeva NM, Bliznetz EA, Weener ME, Belov OA, Chibisova SS, Polyakov AV, Tavartkiladze GA. Early audiological phenotype in patients with mutations in the USH2A gene. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2022; 157:111140. [PMID: 35452909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nowadays, due to universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) the number of children with mild-to-moderate hearing loss diagnosed in the first year of life has increased significantly. Aside from that, identification of the genetic cause improves the genetic counselling of the families and allows to reveal possible comorbidities which may need a special approach. OBJECTIVE To present the characteristics of the early audiologic phenotype in hearing impaired patients with biallelic mutations in the USH2A gene based on systematic analysis of the audiological data. PATIENTS AND METHODS 13 patients with mutations in the USH2A gene underwent audiological examination. Most of them were found among a large group of infants with bilateral nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) examined under 12 months. RESULTS Eight out of eleven children failed UNHS and were initially diagnosed as having bilateral nonsyndromic SNHL. Seven children underwent an audiological assessment before the age of 9 months. The earliest audiological examination was carried out at 1 and 3 months. The children with pathogenic variants in the USH2A gene in our examined group were identified in the first year of life via UNHS. The hearing threshold levels (HTL) for the USH2A group are compactly distributed between 51.25 dB and 66.25 dB, quartiles are 54 dB and 63.4 dB, with a median of 60 dB. The audiological profile of patients with biallelic USH2A mutations differs from audiograms of patients who had STRC-related hearing loss. We have not found any significant elevation in hearing thresholds in the first decade of life. We also estimated the prevalence of the USH2A and STRC mutations among GJB2-negative infants with bilateral nonsyndromic SNHL examined under 12 months, and it was 7.5% and 16.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION According to our results, the early hearing phenotype in pediatric patients with biallelic mutations in the USH2A- gene is characterized by nonsyndromic mild-to-moderate SNHL in the first decade of life. Our results indicate that the presence of mutations in the USH2A or STRC genes can be expected in a child with congenital mild-to-moderate nonsyndromic SNHL. This information is of practical importance for parents, as they have to know the prognosis of hearing loss for their child from the very beginning. Post-screening follow-up should include adequate clinical, genetic, and social support for children and their parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- T G Markova
- National Research Centre for Audiology and Hearing Rehabilitation, Moscow, 117513, Russia; Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, Moscow, 125993, Russia
| | - M R Lalayants
- National Research Centre for Audiology and Hearing Rehabilitation, Moscow, 117513, Russia; Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, Moscow, 125993, Russia
| | - N N Alekseeva
- National Research Centre for Audiology and Hearing Rehabilitation, Moscow, 117513, Russia; Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, Moscow, 125993, Russia
| | - O P Ryzhkova
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | - O L Shatokhina
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | - N M Galeeva
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | - E A Bliznetz
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | - M E Weener
- CRO LLC «Oftalmic», Moscow, 125167, Russia
| | - O A Belov
- National Research Centre for Audiology and Hearing Rehabilitation, Moscow, 117513, Russia
| | - S S Chibisova
- National Research Centre for Audiology and Hearing Rehabilitation, Moscow, 117513, Russia; Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, Moscow, 125993, Russia
| | - A V Polyakov
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | - G A Tavartkiladze
- National Research Centre for Audiology and Hearing Rehabilitation, Moscow, 117513, Russia; Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, Moscow, 125993, Russia.
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Torriano S, Baulier E, Garcia Diaz A, Corneo B, Farber DB. CRISPR-AsCas12a Efficiently Corrects a GPR143 Intronic Mutation in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from an Ocular Albinism Patient. CRISPR J 2022; 5:457-471. [PMID: 35686978 PMCID: PMC9233509 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the GPR143 gene cause X-linked ocular albinism type 1 (OA1), a disease that severely impairs vision. We recently generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from skin fibroblasts of an OA1 patient carrying a point mutation in intron 7 of GPR143. This mutation activates a new splice site causing the incorporation of a pseudoexon. In this study, we present a high-performance CRISPR-Cas ribonucleoprotein strategy to permanently correct the GPR143 mutation in these patient-derived iPSCs. Interestingly, the two single-guide RNAs available for SpCas9 did not allow the cleavage of the target region. In contrast, the cleavage achieved with the CRISPR-AsCas12a system promoted homology-directed repair at a high rate. The CRISPR-AsCas12a-mediated correction did not alter iPSC pluripotency or genetic stability, nor did it result in off-target events. Moreover, we highlight that the disruption of the pathological splice site caused by CRISPR-AsCas12a-mediated insertions/deletions also rescued the normal splicing of GPR143 and its expression level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Torriano
- Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA School of Medicine, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Edouard Baulier
- Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA School of Medicine, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alejandro Garcia Diaz
- Stem Cell Core, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Barbara Corneo
- Stem Cell Core, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Debora B Farber
- Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA School of Medicine, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute and UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Generation of a human iPSC line, INMi005-A, from a patient with non-syndromic USH2A-associated retinitis pigmentosa. Stem Cell Res 2022; 60:102738. [PMID: 35248879 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here the generation of the human iPSC line INMi005-A from a patient with non-syndromic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa caused by compound heterozygous mutations in the USH2A gene. The reprogramming of primary human dermal fibroblasts was performed using the non-integrative Sendai virus method and the OSKM transcription factor cocktail. The generated INMi005-A iPSC line is pluripotent and genetically stable, and will represent a valuable tool for understanding the pathophysiology associated with USH2A mutations.
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Harvey JP, Sladen PE, Yu-Wai-Man P, Cheetham ME. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Inherited Optic Neuropathies-Disease Modeling and Therapeutic Development. J Neuroophthalmol 2022; 42:35-44. [PMID: 34629400 DOI: 10.1097/wno.0000000000001375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inherited optic neuropathies (IONs) cause progressive irreversible visual loss in children and young adults. There are limited disease-modifying treatments, and most patients progress to become severely visually impaired, fulfilling the legal criteria for blind registration. The seminal discovery of the technique for reprogramming somatic nondividing cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has opened several exciting opportunities in the field of ION research and treatment. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A systematic review of the literature was conducted with PubMed using the following search terms: autosomal dominant optic atrophy, ADOA, dominant optic atrophy, DOA, Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, LHON, optic atrophy, induced pluripotent stem cell, iPSC, iPSC derived, iPS, stem cell, retinal ganglion cell, and RGC. Clinical trials were identified on the ClinicalTrials.gov website. RESULTS This review article is focused on disease modeling and the therapeutic strategies being explored with iPSC technologies for the 2 most common IONs, namely, dominant optic atrophy and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. The rationale and translational advances for cell-based and gene-based therapies are explored, as well as opportunities for neuroprotection and drug screening. CONCLUSIONS iPSCs offer an elegant, patient-focused solution to the investigation of the genetic defects and disease mechanisms underpinning IONs. Furthermore, this group of disorders is uniquely amenable to both the disease modeling capability and the therapeutic potential that iPSCs offer. This fast-moving area will remain at the forefront of both basic and translational ION research in the coming years, with the potential to accelerate the development of effective therapies for patients affected with these blinding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Paul Harvey
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (JPH, PES, PY-W-M, MC), London, United Kingdom; Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (JPH, PY-W-M), London, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Neurosciences (PY-W-M), Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; and Department of Clinical Neurosciences (PY-W-M), John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Lohia A, Sahel DK, Salman M, Singh V, Mariappan I, Mittal A, Chitkara D. Delivery Strategies for CRISPR/Cas Genome editing tool for Retinal Dystrophies: challenges and opportunities. Asian J Pharm Sci 2022; 17:153-176. [PMID: 36320315 PMCID: PMC9614410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas, an adaptive immune system in bacteria, has been adopted as an efficient and precise tool for site-specific gene editing with potential therapeutic opportunities. It has been explored for a variety of applications, including gene modulation, epigenome editing, diagnosis, mRNA editing, etc. It has found applications in retinal dystrophic conditions including progressive cone and cone-rod dystrophies, congenital stationary night blindness, X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, leber's congenital amaurosis, etc. Most of the therapies for retinal dystrophic conditions work by regressing symptoms instead of reversing the gene mutations. CRISPR/Cas9 through indel could impart beneficial effects in the reversal of gene mutations in dystrophic conditions. Recent research has also consolidated on the approaches of using CRISPR systems for retinal dystrophies but their delivery to the posterior part of the eye is a major concern due to high molecular weight, negative charge, and in vivo stability of CRISPR components. Recently, non-viral vectors have gained interest due to their potential in tissue-specific nucleic acid (miRNA/siRNA/CRISPR) delivery. This review highlights the opportunities of retinal dystrophies management using CRISPR/Cas nanomedicine.
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22
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Current Progress in Vascular Engineering and Its Clinical Applications. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030493. [PMID: 35159302 PMCID: PMC8834640 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is widely used for the treatment of severe CHD cases. Although autologous vessels are a preferred choice, healthy autologous vessels are not always available; hence there is a demand for tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) to be used as alternatives. However, producing clinical grade implantable TEVGs that could healthily survive in the host with long-term patency is still a great challenge. There are additional difficulties in producing small diameter (<6 mm) vascular conduits. As a result, there have not been TEVGs that are commercially available. Properties of vascular scaffolds such as tensile strength, thrombogenicity and immunogenicity are key factors that determine the biocompatibility of TEVGs. The source of vascular cells employed to produce TEVGs is a limiting factor for large-scale productions. Advanced technologies including the combined use of natural and biodegradable synthetic materials for scaffolds in conjunction with the use of mesenchyme stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide promising solutions for vascular tissue engineering. The aim of this review is to provide an update on various aspects in this field and the current status of TEVG clinical applications.
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23
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Cerrizuela S, Vega-Lopez GA, Méndez-Maldonado K, Velasco I, Aybar MJ. The crucial role of model systems in understanding the complexity of cell signaling in human neurocristopathies. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1537. [PMID: 35023327 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1537] [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: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Animal models are useful to study the molecular, cellular, and morphogenetic mechanisms underlying normal and pathological development. Cell-based study models have emerged as an alternative approach to study many aspects of human embryonic development and disease. The neural crest (NC) is a transient, multipotent, and migratory embryonic cell population that generates a diverse group of cell types that arises during vertebrate development. The abnormal formation or development of the NC results in neurocristopathies (NCPs), which are characterized by a broad spectrum of functional and morphological alterations. The impaired molecular mechanisms that give rise to these multiphenotypic diseases are not entirely clear yet. This fact, added to the high incidence of these disorders in the newborn population, has led to the development of systematic approaches for their understanding. In this article, we have systematically reviewed the ways in which experimentation with different animal and cell model systems has improved our knowledge of NCPs, and how these advances might contribute to the development of better diagnostic and therapeutic tools for the treatment of these pathologies. This article is categorized under: Congenital Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Congenital Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Neurological Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Cerrizuela
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Guillermo A Vega-Lopez
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), Tucumán, Argentina.,Instituto de Biología "Dr. Francisco D. Barbieri", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Karla Méndez-Maldonado
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular - Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Iván Velasco
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular - Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular del Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM en el Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Manuel J Aybar
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), Tucumán, Argentina.,Instituto de Biología "Dr. Francisco D. Barbieri", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
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24
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Nash BM, Loi TH, Fernando M, Sabri A, Robinson J, Cheng A, Eamegdool SS, Farnsworth E, Bennetts B, Grigg JR, Chung SK, Gonzalez-Cordero A, Jamieson RV. Evaluation for Retinal Therapy for RPE65 Variation Assessed in hiPSC Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:4536382. [PMID: 34938339 PMCID: PMC8687838 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4536382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) generated from patients and the derivative retinal cells enable the investigation of pathological and novel variants in relevant cell populations. Biallelic pathogenic variants in RPE65 cause early-onset severe retinal dystrophy (EOSRD) or Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Increasingly, regulatory-approved in vivo RPE65 retinal gene replacement therapy is available for patients with these clinical features, but only if they have biallelic pathological variants and sufficient viable retinal cells. In our cohort of patients, we identified siblings with early-onset severe retinal degeneration where genomic studies revealed compound heterozygous variants in RPE65, one a known pathogenic missense variant and the other a novel synonymous variant of uncertain significance. The synonymous variant was suspected to affect RNA splicing. Since RPE65 is very poorly expressed in all tissues except the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), we generated hiPSC-derived RPE cells from the parental carrier of the synonymous variant. Sequencing of RNA obtained from hiPSC-RPE cells demonstrated heterozygous skipping of RPE65 exon 2 and the introduction of a premature stop codon in the mRNA. Minigene studies confirmed the splicing aberration. Results from this study led to reclassification of the synonymous variant to a pathogenic variant, providing the affected patients with access to RPE65 gene replacement therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Nash
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Specialty of Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Genome Diagnostics, Western Sydney Genetics Program, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - To Ha Loi
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Milan Fernando
- Stem Cell Medicine Group and Stem Cell and Organoid Facility, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | - Amin Sabri
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James Robinson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Specialty of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anson Cheng
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Steven S. Eamegdool
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Farnsworth
- Sydney Genome Diagnostics, Western Sydney Genetics Program, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bruce Bennetts
- Specialty of Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Genome Diagnostics, Western Sydney Genetics Program, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John R. Grigg
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Specialty of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Seo-Kyung Chung
- Translational Neurogenomics Group, Kids Research, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Sydney NSW, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | - Anai Gonzalez-Cordero
- Stem Cell Medicine Group and Stem Cell and Organoid Facility, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | - Robyn V. Jamieson
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Save Sight Institute, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Specialty of Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Western Sydney Genetics Program, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network-Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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25
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Schneider N, Sundaresan Y, Gopalakrishnan P, Beryozkin A, Hanany M, Levanon EY, Banin E, Ben-Aroya S, Sharon D. Inherited retinal diseases: Linking genes, disease-causing variants, and relevant therapeutic modalities. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 89:101029. [PMID: 34839010 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.101029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a clinically complex and heterogenous group of visual impairment phenotypes caused by pathogenic variants in at least 277 nuclear and mitochondrial genes, affecting different retinal regions, and depleting the vision of affected individuals. Genes that cause IRDs when mutated are unique by possessing differing genotype-phenotype correlations, varying inheritance patterns, hypomorphic alleles, and modifier genes thus complicating genetic interpretation. Next-generation sequencing has greatly advanced the identification of novel IRD-related genes and pathogenic variants in the last decade. For this review, we performed an in-depth literature search which allowed for compilation of the Global Retinal Inherited Disease (GRID) dataset containing 4,798 discrete variants and 17,299 alleles published in 31 papers, showing a wide range of frequencies and complexities among the 194 genes reported in GRID, with 65% of pathogenic variants being unique to a single individual. A better understanding of IRD-related gene distribution, gene complexity, and variant types allow for improved genetic testing and therapies. Current genetic therapeutic methods are also quite diverse and rely on variant identification, and range from whole gene replacement to single nucleotide editing at the DNA or RNA levels. IRDs and their suitable therapies thus require a range of effective disease modelling in human cells, granting insight into disease mechanisms and testing of possible treatments. This review summarizes genetic and therapeutic modalities of IRDs, provides new analyses of IRD-related genes (GRID and complexity scores), and provides information to match genetic-based therapies such as gene-specific and variant-specific therapies to the appropriate individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Schneider
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Yogapriya Sundaresan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Prakadeeswari Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Avigail Beryozkin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Mor Hanany
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Erez Y Levanon
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Eyal Banin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Shay Ben-Aroya
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Dror Sharon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
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26
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Botto C, Dalkara D, El-Amraoui A. Progress in Gene Editing Tools and Their Potential for Correcting Mutations Underlying Hearing and Vision Loss. Front Genome Ed 2021; 3:737632. [PMID: 34778871 PMCID: PMC8581640 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2021.737632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Blindness and deafness are the most frequent sensory disorders in humans. Whatever their cause - genetic, environmental, or due to toxic agents, or aging - the deterioration of these senses is often linked to irreversible damage to the light-sensing photoreceptor cells (blindness) and/or the mechanosensitive hair cells (deafness). Efforts are increasingly focused on preventing disease progression by correcting or replacing the blindness and deafness-causal pathogenic alleles. In recent years, gene replacement therapies for rare monogenic disorders of the retina have given positive results, leading to the marketing of the first gene therapy product for a form of childhood hereditary blindness. Promising results, with a partial restoration of auditory function, have also been reported in preclinical models of human deafness. Silencing approaches, including antisense oligonucleotides, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated microRNA delivery, and genome-editing approaches have also been applied to various genetic forms of blindness and deafness The discovery of new DNA- and RNA-based CRISPR/Cas nucleases, and the new generations of base, prime, and RNA editors offers new possibilities for directly repairing point mutations and therapeutically restoring gene function. Thanks to easy access and immune-privilege status of self-contained compartments, the eye and the ear continue to be at the forefront of developing therapies for genetic diseases. Here, we review the ongoing applications and achievements of this new class of emerging therapeutics in the sensory organs of vision and hearing, highlighting the challenges ahead and the solutions to be overcome for their successful therapeutic application in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Botto
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Aziz El-Amraoui
- Unit Progressive Sensory Disorders, Pathophysiology and Therapy, Institut Pasteur, Institut de l'Audition, Université de Paris, INSERM-UMRS1120, Paris, France
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27
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Dinculescu A, Link BA, Saperstein DA. Retinal Gene Therapy for Usher Syndrome: Current Developments, Challenges, and Perspectives. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2021; 61:109-124. [PMID: 34584048 PMCID: PMC8478317 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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28
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Shughoury A, Ciulla TA, Bakall B, Pennesi ME, Kiss S, Cunningham ET. Genes and Gene Therapy in Inherited Retinal Disease. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2021; 61:3-45. [PMID: 34584043 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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29
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Genetics, pathogenesis and therapeutic developments for Usher syndrome type 2. Hum Genet 2021; 141:737-758. [PMID: 34331125 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02324-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH) is a rare, autosomal recessively inherited disorder resulting in a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and a progressive loss of vision resulting from retinitis pigmentosa (RP), occasionally accompanied by an altered vestibular function. More and more evidence is building up indicating that also sleep deprivation, olfactory dysfunction, deficits in tactile perception and reduced sperm motility are part of the disease etiology. USH can be clinically classified into three different types, of which Usher syndrome type 2 (USH2) is the most prevalent. In this review, we, therefore, assess the genetic and clinical aspects, available models and therapeutic developments for USH2. Mutations in USH2A, ADGRV1 and WHRN have been described to be responsible for USH2, with USH2A being the most frequently mutated USH-associated gene, explaining 50% of all cases. The proteins encoded by the USH2 genes together function in a dynamic protein complex that, among others, is found at the photoreceptor periciliary membrane and at the base of the hair bundles of inner ear hair cells. To unravel the pathogenic mechanisms underlying USH2, patient-derived cellular models and animal models including mouse, zebrafish and drosophila, have been generated that all in part mimic the USH phenotype. Multiple cellular and genetic therapeutic approaches are currently under development for USH2, mainly focused on preserving or partially restoring the visual function of which one is already in the clinical phase. These developments are opening a new gate towards a possible treatment for USH2 patients.
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30
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Straume AH, Kjærner-Semb E, Skaftnesmo KO, Güralp H, Lillico S, Wargelius A, Edvardsen RB. Single nucleotide replacement in the Atlantic salmon genome using CRISPR/Cas9 and asymmetrical oligonucleotide donors. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:563. [PMID: 34294050 PMCID: PMC8296724 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07823-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background New breeding technologies (NBT) using CRISPR/Cas9-induced homology directed repair (HDR) has the potential to expedite genetic improvement in aquaculture. The long generation time in Atlantic salmon makes breeding an unattractive solution to obtain homozygous mutants and improving the rates of perfect HDR in founder (F0) fish is thus required. Genome editing can represent small DNA changes down to single nucleotide replacements (SNR). This enables edits such as premature stop codons or single amino acid changes and may be used to obtain fish with traits favorable to aquaculture, e.g. disease resistance. A method for SNR has not yet been demonstrated in salmon. Results Using CRISPR/Cas9 and asymmetrical ODNs, we were able to perform precise SNR and introduce a premature stop codon in dnd in F0 salmon. Deep sequencing demonstrated up to 59.2% efficiency in single embryos. In addition, using the same asymmetrical ODN design, we inserted a FLAG element into slc45a2 and dnd, showing high individual perfect HDR efficiencies (up to 36.7 and 32.7%, respectively). Conclusions In this work, we demonstrate that precise SNR and knock-in (KI) can be performed in F0 salmon embryos using asymmetrical oligonucleotide (ODN) donors. We suggest that HDR-induced SNR can be applied as a powerful NBT, allowing efficient introgression of favorable alleles and bypassing challenges associated with traditional selective breeding. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07823-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Hege Straume
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Erik Kjærner-Semb
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kai Ove Skaftnesmo
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hilal Güralp
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Simon Lillico
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Anna Wargelius
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
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31
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Generation and Genetic Correction of USH2A c.2299delG Mutation in Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060805. [PMID: 34070435 PMCID: PMC8227183 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH) is the leading cause of inherited combined hearing and vision loss. As an autosomal recessive trait, it affects 15,000 people in the United States alone and is responsible for ~21% of inherited blindness and 3 to 6% of early childhood deafness. Approximately 2/3 of the patients with Usher syndrome suffer from USH2, of whom 85% have mutations in the USH2A gene. Patients affected by USH2 suffer from congenital bilateral progressive sensorineural hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa which leads to progressive loss of vision. To study the molecular mechanisms of this disease and develop a gene therapy strategy, we generated human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from a patient carrying compound heterozygous variants of USH2A c.2299delG and c.1256G>T and the patient’s healthy sibling. The pluripotency and stability were confirmed by pluripotency cell specific marker expression and molecular karyotyping. Subsequent CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing using a homology repair template was used to successfully correct the USH2A c.2299delG mutation back to normal c.2299G in the generated patient iPSCs to create an isogenic pair of lines. Importantly, this manuscript describes the first use of the recombinant Cas9 and synthetic gRNA ribonucleoprotein complex approach to correct the USH2A c.2299delG without additional genetic effects in patient-derived iPSCs, an approach that is amenable for therapeutic genome editing. This work lays a solid foundation for future ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy investigations and these patient’s iPSCs also provide an unlimited resource for disease modeling and mechanistic studies.
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32
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Mamaeva D, Jazouli Z, DiFrancesco ML, Erkilic N, Dubois G, Hilaire C, Meunier I, Boukhaddaoui H, Kalatzis V. Novel roles for voltage-gated T-type Ca 2+ and ClC-2 channels in phagocytosis and angiogenic factor balance identified in human iPSC-derived RPE. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21406. [PMID: 33724552 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002754r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a powerful tool for pathophysiological studies and preclinical therapeutic screening, as well as a source for clinical cell transplantation. Thus, it must be validated for maturity and functionality to ensure correct data readouts and clinical safety. Previous studies have validated hiPSC-derived RPE as morphologically characteristic of the tissue in the human eye. However, information concerning the expression and functionality of ion channels is still limited. We screened hiPSC-derived RPE for the polarized expression of a panel of L-type (CaV 1.1, CaV 1.3) and T-type (CaV 3.1, CaV 3.3) Ca2+ channels, K+ channels (Maxi-K, Kir4.1, Kir7.1), and the Cl- channel ClC-2 known to be expressed in native RPE. We also tested the roles of these channels in key RPE functions using specific inhibitors. In addition to confirming the native expression profiles and function of certain channels, such as L-type Ca2+ channels, we show for the first time that T-type Ca2+ channels play a role in both phagocytosis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion. Moreover, we demonstrate that Maxi-K and Kir7.1 channels are involved in the polarized secretion of VEGF and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). Furthermore, we show a novel localization for ClC-2 channel on the apical side of hiPSC-derived RPE, with an overexpression at the level of fluid-filled domes, and demonstrate that it plays an important role in phagocytosis, as well as VEGF and PEDF secretion. Taken together, hiPSC-derived RPE is a powerful model for advancing fundamental knowledge of RPE functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Mamaeva
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Zhour Jazouli
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Mattia L DiFrancesco
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Nejla Erkilic
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, Montpellier University, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Gregor Dubois
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Cecile Hilaire
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Isabelle Meunier
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, Montpellier University, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Hassan Boukhaddaoui
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Vasiliki Kalatzis
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
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33
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Diakatou M, Dubois G, Erkilic N, Sanjurjo-Soriano C, Meunier I, Kalatzis V. Allele-Specific Knockout by CRISPR/Cas to Treat Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa Caused by the G56R Mutation in NR2E3. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052607. [PMID: 33807610 PMCID: PMC7961898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal dystrophy that causes progressive vision loss. The G56R mutation in NR2E3 is the second most common mutation causing autosomal dominant (ad) RP, a transcription factor that is essential for photoreceptor development and maintenance. The G56R variant is exclusively responsible for all cases of NR2E3-associated adRP. Currently, there is no treatment for NR2E3-related or, other, adRP, but genome editing holds promise. A pertinent approach would be to specifically knockout the dominant mutant allele, so that the wild type allele can perform unhindered. In this study, we developed a CRISPR/Cas strategy to specifically knockout the mutant G56R allele of NR2E3 and performed a proof-of-concept study in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of an adRP patient. We demonstrate allele-specific knockout of the mutant G56R allele in the absence of off-target events. Furthermore, we validated this knockout strategy in an exogenous overexpression system. Accordingly, the mutant G56R-CRISPR protein was truncated and mis-localized to the cytosol in contrast to the (peri)nuclear localizations of wild type or G56R NR2E3 proteins. Finally, we show, for the first time, that G56R iPSCs, as well as G56R-CRISPR iPSCs, can differentiate into NR2E3-expressing retinal organoids. Overall, we demonstrate that G56R allele-specific knockout by CRISPR/Cas could be a clinically relevant approach to treat NR2E3-associated adRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalitsa Diakatou
- INM, University of Montpellier, Inserm, 34091 Montpellier, France; (M.D.); (G.D.); (N.E.); (C.S.-S.); (I.M.)
| | - Gregor Dubois
- INM, University of Montpellier, Inserm, 34091 Montpellier, France; (M.D.); (G.D.); (N.E.); (C.S.-S.); (I.M.)
| | - Nejla Erkilic
- INM, University of Montpellier, Inserm, 34091 Montpellier, France; (M.D.); (G.D.); (N.E.); (C.S.-S.); (I.M.)
- National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, University of Montpellier, CHU, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Carla Sanjurjo-Soriano
- INM, University of Montpellier, Inserm, 34091 Montpellier, France; (M.D.); (G.D.); (N.E.); (C.S.-S.); (I.M.)
| | - Isabelle Meunier
- INM, University of Montpellier, Inserm, 34091 Montpellier, France; (M.D.); (G.D.); (N.E.); (C.S.-S.); (I.M.)
- National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, University of Montpellier, CHU, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Vasiliki Kalatzis
- INM, University of Montpellier, Inserm, 34091 Montpellier, France; (M.D.); (G.D.); (N.E.); (C.S.-S.); (I.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Wafa TT, Faridi R, King KA, Zalewski C, Yousaf R, Schultz JM, Morell RJ, Muskett J, Turriff A, Tsilou E, Griffith AJ, Friedman TB, Zein WM, Brewer CC. Vestibular phenotype-genotype correlation in a cohort of 90 patients with Usher syndrome. Clin Genet 2021; 99:226-235. [PMID: 33089500 PMCID: PMC7821283 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Usher syndrome has been historically categorized into one of three classical types based on the patient phenotype. However, the vestibular phenotype does not infallibly predict which Usher genes are mutated. Conversely, the Usher syndrome genotype is not sufficient to reliably predict vestibular function. Here we present a characterization of the vestibular phenotype of 90 patients with clinical presentation of Usher syndrome (59 females), aged 10.9 to 75.5 years, with genetic variants in eight Usher syndromic genes and expand the description of atypical Usher syndrome. We identified unexpected horizontal semicircular canal reactivity in response to caloric and rotational stimuli in 12.5% (3 of 24) and 41.7% (10 of 24), respectively, of our USH1 cohort. These findings are not consistent with the classical phenotypic definition of vestibular areflexia in USH1. Similarly, 17% (6 of 35) of our cohort with USH2A mutations had saccular dysfunction as evidenced by absent cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in contradiction to the classical assumption of normal vestibular function. The surprising lack of consistent genotypic to vestibular phenotypic findings as well as no clear vestibular phenotypic patterns among atypical USH cases, indicate that even rigorous vestibular phenotyping data will not reliably differentiate the three USH types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talah T. Wafa
- Otolaryngology BranchNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Rabia Faridi
- Laboratory of Molecular GeneticsNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Kelly A. King
- Otolaryngology BranchNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Christopher Zalewski
- Otolaryngology BranchNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Rizwan Yousaf
- Laboratory of Molecular GeneticsNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Julie M. Schultz
- Laboratory of Molecular GeneticsNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
- Review Analysis DepartmentGeneDxGaithersburgMarylandUSA
| | - Robert J. Morell
- Genomics and Computational Biology CoreNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Julie Muskett
- Otolaryngology BranchNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Amy Turriff
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function BranchNational Eye Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Ekaterini Tsilou
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function BranchNational Eye Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Andrew J. Griffith
- Otolaryngology BranchNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Thomas B. Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular GeneticsNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Wadih M. Zein
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function BranchNational Eye Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Carmen C. Brewer
- Otolaryngology BranchNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
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Falsini B, Placidi G, De Siena E, Savastano MC, Minnella AM, Maceroni M, Midena G, Ziccardi L, Parisi V, Bertelli M, Maltese PE, Chiurazzi P, Rizzo S. USH2A-Related Retinitis Pigmentosa: Staging of Disease Severity and Morpho-Functional Studies. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11020213. [PMID: 33535592 PMCID: PMC7912870 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11020213] [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: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome type 2A (USH2A) is a genetic disease characterized by bilateral neuro-sensory hypoacusia and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). While several methods, including electroretinogram (ERG), describe retinal function in USH2A patients, structural alterations can be assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). According to a recent collaborative study, RP can be staged considering visual acuity, visual field area and ellipsoid zone (EZ) width. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine RP stage in a cohort of patients with USH2A gene variants and to correlate the results with age, as well as additional functional and morphological parameters. In 26 patients with established USH2A genotype, RP was staged according to recent international standards. The cumulative staging score was correlated with patients' age, amplitude of full-field and focal flicker ERGs, and the OCT-measured area of sub-Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) illumination (SRI). RP cumulative score (CS) was positively correlated (r = 0.6) with age. CS was also negatively correlated (rho = -0.7) with log10 ERG amplitudes and positively correlated (r = 0.5) with SRI. In USH2A patients, RP severity score is correlated with age and additional morpho-functional parameters not included in the international staging system and can reliably predict their abnormality at different stages of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetto Falsini
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (B.F.); (G.P.); (E.D.S.); (M.C.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.M.); (P.C.); (S.R.)
- UOC Oftalmologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Placidi
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (B.F.); (G.P.); (E.D.S.); (M.C.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.M.); (P.C.); (S.R.)
- UOC Oftalmologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa De Siena
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (B.F.); (G.P.); (E.D.S.); (M.C.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.M.); (P.C.); (S.R.)
- UOC Oftalmologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Savastano
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (B.F.); (G.P.); (E.D.S.); (M.C.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.M.); (P.C.); (S.R.)
- UOC Oftalmologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Maria Minnella
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (B.F.); (G.P.); (E.D.S.); (M.C.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.M.); (P.C.); (S.R.)
- UOC Oftalmologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Maceroni
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (B.F.); (G.P.); (E.D.S.); (M.C.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.M.); (P.C.); (S.R.)
- UOC Oftalmologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0630-154-928
| | - Giulia Midena
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (B.F.); (G.P.); (E.D.S.); (M.C.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.M.); (P.C.); (S.R.)
- UOC Oftalmologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Ziccardi
- Fondazione GB Bietti per l’Oftalmologia, IRCCS, 00184 Rome, Italy; (L.Z.); (V.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Parisi
- Fondazione GB Bietti per l’Oftalmologia, IRCCS, 00184 Rome, Italy; (L.Z.); (V.P.)
| | - Matteo Bertelli
- MAGI’S LAB, 38068 Rovereto, Italy; (M.B.); (P.E.M.)
- MAGI EUREGIO, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Paolo Enrico Maltese
- MAGI’S LAB, 38068 Rovereto, Italy; (M.B.); (P.E.M.)
- MAGI EUREGIO, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Pietro Chiurazzi
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (B.F.); (G.P.); (E.D.S.); (M.C.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.M.); (P.C.); (S.R.)
- UOC Genetica Medica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stanislao Rizzo
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (B.F.); (G.P.); (E.D.S.); (M.C.S.); (A.M.M.); (G.M.); (P.C.); (S.R.)
- UOC Oftalmologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Kantor A, McClements ME, Peddle CF, Fry LE, Salman A, Cehajic-Kapetanovic J, Xue K, MacLaren RE. CRISPR genome engineering for retinal diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 182:29-79. [PMID: 34175046 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Novel gene therapy treatments for inherited retinal diseases have been at the forefront of translational medicine over the past couple of decades. Since the discovery of CRISPR mechanisms and their potential application for the treatment of inherited human conditions, it seemed inevitable that advances would soon be made using retinal models of disease. The development of CRISPR technology for gene therapy and its increasing potential to selectively target disease-causing nucleotide changes has been rapid. In this chapter, we discuss the currently available CRISPR toolkit and how it has been and can be applied in the future for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases. These blinding conditions have until now had limited opportunity for successful therapeutic intervention, but the discovery of CRISPR has created new hope of achieving such, as we discuss within this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Kantor
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Michelle E McClements
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline F Peddle
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lewis E Fry
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed Salman
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kanmin Xue
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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37
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Tran F, Klein C, Arlt A, Imm S, Knappe E, Simmons A, Rosenstiel P, Seibler P. Stem Cells and Organoid Technology in Precision Medicine in Inflammation: Are We There Yet? Front Immunol 2020; 11:573562. [PMID: 33408713 PMCID: PMC7779798 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.573562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Individualised cellular models of disease are a key tool for precision medicine to recapitulate chronic inflammatory processes. Organoid models can be derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or from primary stem cells ex vivo. These models have been emerging over the past decade and have been used to reconstruct the respective organ-specific physiology and pathology, at an unsurpassed depth. In cancer research, patient-derived cancer organoids opened new perspectives in predicting therapy response and provided novel insights into tumour biology. In precision medicine of chronic inflammatory disorders, stem-cell based organoid models are currently being evaluated in pre-clinical pharmacodynamic studies (clinical studies in a dish) and are employed in clinical studies, e.g., by re-transplanting autologous epithelial organoids to re-establish intestinal barrier integrity. A particularly exciting feature of iPSC systems is their ability to provide insights into organ systems and inflammatory disease processes, which cannot be monitored with clinical biopsies, such as immune reactions in neurodegenerative disorders. Refinement of differentiation protocols, and next-generation co-culturing methods, aimed at generating self-organised, complex tissues in vitro, will be the next logical steps. In this mini-review, we critically discuss the current state-of-the-art stem cell and organoid technologies, as well as their future impact, potential and promises in combating immune-mediated chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Tran
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Klinik für Innere Medizin I, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Alexander Arlt
- Klinik für Innere Medizin I, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany.,University Department for Gastroenterology, Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, European Medical School (EMS), Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Simon Imm
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Evelyn Knappe
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Alison Simmons
- MRC Human Immunology Unit (MRC), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Rosenstiel
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Philip Seibler
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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38
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Toualbi L, Toms M, Moosajee M. USH2A-retinopathy: From genetics to therapeutics. Exp Eye Res 2020; 201:108330. [PMID: 33121974 PMCID: PMC8417766 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Bilallelic variants in the USH2A gene can cause Usher syndrome type 2 and non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa. In both disorders, the retinal phenotype involves progressive rod photoreceptor loss resulting in nyctalopia and a constricted visual field, followed by subsequent cone degeneration, leading to the loss of central vision and severe visual impairment. The USH2A gene raises many challenges for researchers and clinicians due to a broad spectrum of mutations, a large gene size hampering gene therapy development and limited knowledge on its pathogenicity. Patients with Usher type 2 may benefit from hearing aids or cochlear implants to correct their hearing defects, but there are currently no approved treatments available for the USH2A-retinopathy. Several treatment strategies, including antisense oligonucleotides and translational readthrough inducing drugs, have shown therapeutic promise in preclinical studies. Further understanding of the pathogenesis and natural history of USH2A-related disorders is required to develop innovative treatments and design clinical trials based on reliable outcome measures. The present review will discuss the current knowledge about USH2A, the emerging therapeutics and existing challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyes Toualbi
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, EC1V 9EL, UK; Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Maria Toms
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, EC1V 9EL, UK; Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, EC1V 9EL, UK; Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK; Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, EC1V 2PD, UK; Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, WC1N 3JH, UK.
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Whatley M, Francis A, Ng ZY, Khoh XE, Atlas MD, Dilley RJ, Wong EYM. Usher Syndrome: Genetics and Molecular Links of Hearing Loss and Directions for Therapy. Front Genet 2020; 11:565216. [PMID: 33193648 PMCID: PMC7642844 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.565216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH) is an autosomal recessive (AR) disorder that permanently and severely affects the senses of hearing, vision, and balance. Three clinically distinct types of USH have been identified, decreasing in severity from Type 1 to 3, with symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and vestibular dysfunction. There are currently nine confirmed and two suspected USH-causative genes, and a further three candidate loci have been mapped. The proteins encoded by these genes form complexes that play critical roles in the development and maintenance of cellular structures within the inner ear and retina, which have minimal capacity for repair or regeneration. In the cochlea, stereocilia are located on the apical surface of inner ear hair cells (HC) and are responsible for transducing mechanical stimuli from sound pressure waves into chemical signals. These signals are then detected by the auditory nerve fibers, transmitted to the brain and interpreted as sound. Disease-causing mutations in USH genes can destabilize the tip links that bind the stereocilia to each other, and cause defects in protein trafficking and stereocilia bundle morphology, thereby inhibiting mechanosensory transduction. This review summarizes the current knowledge on Usher syndrome with a particular emphasis on mutations in USH genes, USH protein structures, and functional analyses in animal models. Currently, there is no cure for USH. However, the genetic therapies that are rapidly developing will benefit from this compilation of detailed genetic information to identify the most effective strategies for restoring functional USH proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meg Whatley
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Abbie Francis
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Emergency Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Zi Ying Ng
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Xin Ee Khoh
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Marcus D. Atlas
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Ear Sciences Centre, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Rodney J. Dilley
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Ear Sciences Centre, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Elaine Y. M. Wong
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Ear Sciences Centre, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
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40
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Toms M, Pagarkar W, Moosajee M. Usher syndrome: clinical features, molecular genetics and advancing therapeutics. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2020; 12:2515841420952194. [PMID: 32995707 PMCID: PMC7502997 DOI: 10.1177/2515841420952194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome has three subtypes, each being clinically and genetically heterogeneous characterised by sensorineural hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), with or without vestibular dysfunction. It is the most common cause of deaf–blindness worldwide with a prevalence of between 4 and 17 in 100 000. To date, 10 causative genes have been identified for Usher syndrome, with MYO7A accounting for >50% of type 1 and USH2A contributing to approximately 80% of type 2 Usher syndrome. Variants in these genes can also cause non-syndromic RP and deafness. Genotype–phenotype correlations have been described for several of the Usher genes. Hearing loss is managed with hearing aids and cochlear implants, which has made a significant improvement in quality of life for patients. While there is currently no available approved treatment for the RP, various therapeutic strategies are in development or in clinical trials for Usher syndrome, including gene replacement, gene editing, antisense oligonucleotides and small molecule drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Toms
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK; The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Waheeda Pagarkar
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
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41
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Gallego C, Gonçalves MAFV, Wijnholds J. Novel Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Retinal Degenerative Diseases: Focus on CRISPR/Cas-Based Gene Editing. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:838. [PMID: 32973430 PMCID: PMC7468381 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases encompass a highly heterogenous group of disorders caused by a wide range of genetic variants and with diverse clinical symptoms that converge in the common trait of retinal degeneration. Indeed, mutations in over 270 genes have been associated with some form of retinal degenerative phenotype. Given the immune privileged status of the eye, cell replacement and gene augmentation therapies have been envisioned. While some of these approaches, such as delivery of genes through recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors, have been successfully tested in clinical trials, not all patients will benefit from current advancements due to their underlying genotype or phenotypic traits. Gene editing arises as an alternative therapeutic strategy seeking to correct mutations at the endogenous locus and rescue normal gene expression. Hence, gene editing technologies can in principle be tailored for treating retinal degeneration. Here we provide an overview of the different gene editing strategies that are being developed to overcome the challenges imposed by the post-mitotic nature of retinal cell types. We further discuss their advantages and drawbacks as well as the hurdles for their implementation in treating retinal diseases, which include the broad range of mutations and, in some instances, the size of the affected genes. Although therapeutic gene editing is at an early stage of development, it has the potential of enriching the portfolio of personalized molecular medicines directed at treating genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Gallego
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Manuel A F V Gonçalves
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Zhou P, Zhou J. The Primary Cilium as a Therapeutic Target in Ocular Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:977. [PMID: 32676032 PMCID: PMC7333185 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are microtubule-based cellular structures located on the surfaces of most mammalian cells and play important roles in detecting external stimuli, signal transduction, and cell cycle regulation. Primary cilia are also present in several structures of the eye, and their abnormal development or dysfunction can cause various ocular diseases. The rapid development of proteomics and metabolomics technologies have helped in the identification of many ocular disease-related proteins, some of which are dysregulated in primary cilia. This review focuses on ciliary dysregulation in a number of ocular diseases and discusses the potential of targeting primary cilia in gene and stem cell therapy for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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Fu J, Shen S, Cheng J, Lv H, Fu J. A case of Usher syndrome type IIA caused by a rare USH2A homozygous frameshift variant with maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) in a Chinese family. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:7743-7750. [PMID: 32449591 PMCID: PMC7348175 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome encompasses a group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous autosomal recessive disorders with hearing deficiencies and retinitis pigmentosa. The mechanisms underlying the Usher syndrome are highly variable. In the present study, a Chinese family with Usher syndrome was recruited. Whole exome sequencing (WES), Sanger sequencing, homozygosity mapping, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis and segregation analysis were performed. Functional domains of the pathogenic variant for USH2A were analysed. We identified a homozygous frameshift variant c.99_100insT (p.Arg34Serfs*41) in the USH2A gene in the proband that showed discordant segregation in the father. Further homozygosity mapping and STR analysis identified an unusual homozygous variant of proband that originated from maternal uniparental disomy (UPD). The p.Arg34Serfs*41 variant produced a predicted truncated protein that removes all functional domains of USH2A. The variant was not included in the 1000 Human Genomes Project database, ExAC database, HGMD or gnomAD database, but was included in the ClinVar databases as pathogenic. Although USH2A is an autosomal recessive disease, the effects of UPD should be informed in genetic counselling since the recurrence risk of an affected child is greatly reduced when the disease is due to the UPD mechanism. To test potential patients, WES, combined with STR analysis and homozygosity mapping, provides an accurate and useful strategy for genetic diagnosis. In summary, our discoveries can help further the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of Usher syndrome type IIA to advance the prevention, diagnosis and therapy for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiewen Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Shiyi Shen
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hongbin Lv
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Application of CRISPR Tools for Variant Interpretation and Disease Modeling in Inherited Retinal Dystrophies. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11050473. [PMID: 32349249 PMCID: PMC7290804 DOI: 10.3390/genes11050473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies are an assorted group of rare diseases that collectively account for the major cause of visual impairment of genetic origin worldwide. Besides clinically, these vision loss disorders present a high genetic and allelic heterogeneity. To date, over 250 genes have been associated to retinal dystrophies with reported causative variants of every nature (nonsense, missense, frameshift, splice-site, large rearrangements, and so forth). Except for a fistful of mutations, most of them are private and affect one or few families, making it a challenge to ratify the newly identified candidate genes or the pathogenicity of dubious variants in disease-associated loci. A recurrent option involves altering the gene in in vitro or in vivo systems to contrast the resulting phenotype and molecular imprint. To validate specific mutations, the process must rely on simulating the precise genetic change, which, until recently, proved to be a difficult endeavor. The rise of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology and its adaptation for genetic engineering now offers a resourceful suite of tools to alleviate the process of functional studies. Here we review the implementation of these RNA-programmable Cas9 nucleases in culture-based and animal models to elucidate the role of novel genes and variants in retinal dystrophies.
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