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Georgiou M, Robson AG, Fujinami K, de Guimarães TAC, Fujinami-Yokokawa Y, Daich Varela M, Pontikos N, Kalitzeos A, Mahroo OA, Webster AR, Michaelides M. Phenotyping and genotyping inherited retinal diseases: Molecular genetics, clinical and imaging features, and therapeutics of macular dystrophies, cone and cone-rod dystrophies, rod-cone dystrophies, Leber congenital amaurosis, and cone dysfunction syndromes. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101244. [PMID: 38278208 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a leading cause of blindness in the working age population and in children. The scope of this review is to familiarise clinicians and scientists with the current landscape of molecular genetics, clinical phenotype, retinal imaging and therapeutic prospects/completed trials in IRD. Herein we present in a comprehensive and concise manner: (i) macular dystrophies (Stargardt disease (ABCA4), X-linked retinoschisis (RS1), Best disease (BEST1), PRPH2-associated pattern dystrophy, Sorsby fundus dystrophy (TIMP3), and autosomal dominant drusen (EFEMP1)), (ii) cone and cone-rod dystrophies (GUCA1A, PRPH2, ABCA4, KCNV2 and RPGR), (iii) predominant rod or rod-cone dystrophies (retinitis pigmentosa, enhanced S-Cone syndrome (NR2E3), Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (CYP4V2)), (iv) Leber congenital amaurosis/early-onset severe retinal dystrophy (GUCY2D, CEP290, CRB1, RDH12, RPE65, TULP1, AIPL1 and NMNAT1), (v) cone dysfunction syndromes (achromatopsia (CNGA3, CNGB3, PDE6C, PDE6H, GNAT2, ATF6), X-linked cone dysfunction with myopia and dichromacy (Bornholm Eye disease; OPN1LW/OPN1MW array), oligocone trichromacy, and blue-cone monochromatism (OPN1LW/OPN1MW array)). Whilst we use the aforementioned classical phenotypic groupings, a key feature of IRD is that it is characterised by tremendous heterogeneity and variable expressivity, with several of the above genes associated with a range of phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Georgiou
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Anthony G Robson
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Kaoru Fujinami
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Thales A C de Guimarães
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Yu Fujinami-Yokokawa
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Health Policy and Management, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Malena Daich Varela
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Nikolas Pontikos
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Angelos Kalitzeos
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Omar A Mahroo
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Section of Ophthalmology, King s College London, St Thomas Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom; Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Department of Translational Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Andrew R Webster
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Kurzawa-Akanbi M, Tzoumas N, Corral-Serrano JC, Guarascio R, Steel DH, Cheetham ME, Armstrong L, Lako M. Pluripotent stem cell-derived models of retinal disease: Elucidating pathogenesis, evaluating novel treatments, and estimating toxicity. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101248. [PMID: 38369182 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Blindness poses a growing global challenge, with approximately 26% of cases attributed to degenerative retinal diseases. While gene therapy, optogenetic tools, photosensitive switches, and retinal prostheses offer hope for vision restoration, these high-cost therapies will benefit few patients. Understanding retinal diseases is therefore key to advance effective treatments, requiring in vitro models replicating pathology and allowing quantitative assessments for drug discovery. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) provide a unique solution given their limitless supply and ability to differentiate into light-responsive retinal tissues encompassing all cell types. This review focuses on the history and current state of photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell generation from PSCs. We explore the applications of this technology in disease modelling, experimental therapy testing, biomarker identification, and toxicity studies. We consider challenges in scalability, standardisation, and reproducibility, and stress the importance of incorporating vasculature and immune cells into retinal organoids. We advocate for high-throughput automation in data acquisition and analyses and underscore the value of advanced micro-physiological systems that fully capture the interactions between the neural retina, RPE, and choriocapillaris.
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Georgiou M, Robson AG, Uwaydat SH, Ji MH, Shakarchi AF, Pontikos N, Mahroo OA, Cheetham ME, Webster AR, Hardcastle AJ, Michaelides M. RP2-Associated X-linked Retinopathy: Clinical Findings, Molecular Genetics, and Natural History in a Large Cohort of Female Carriers. Am J Ophthalmol 2024; 261:112-120. [PMID: 37977507 PMCID: PMC11139645 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.11.005] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE RP2-associated retinopathy typically causes severe early onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in affected males. However, there is a scarcity of reports describing the clinical phenotype of female carriers. We tested the hypothesis that RP2 variants manifest in female carriers with a range of functional and anatomic characteristics. DESIGN Retrospective case series. METHODS Females with disease-causing variants in RP2 were identified from investigation of pedigrees affected by RP2 retinopathy. All case notes and results of molecular genetic testing, retinal imaging (fundus autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT)), and electrophysiology were reviewed. RESULTS Forty pedigrees were investigated. Twenty-nine pedigrees had obligate carriers or molecularly confirmed female members with recorded relevant history and/or examination. For 8 pedigrees, data were available only from history, with patients reporting affected female relatives with RP in 4 cases and unaffected female relatives in the other 4 cases. Twenty-seven females from 21 pedigrees were examined by a retinal genetics specialist. Twenty-three patients (85%) reported no complaints and had normal vision and 4 patients had RP-associated complaints (15%). Eight patients had normal fundus examination (30%), 10 had a tapetal-like reflex (TLR; 37%), 5 had scattered peripheral pigmentation (19%), and the 4 symptomatic patients had fundus findings compatible with RP (15%). All asymptomatic patients with normal fundus, TLR, or asymptomatic pigmentary changes had a continuous ellipsoid zone on OCT when available. The electroretinograms revealed mild to severe photoreceptor dysfunction in 9 of 11 subjects, often asymmetrical, including 5 with pattern electroretinogram evidence of symmetrical (n = 4) or unilateral (n = 1 subject) macular dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Most carriers were asymptomatic, exhibiting subclinical characteristics such as TLR and pigmentary changes. However, female carriers of RP2 variants can manifest RP. Family history of affected females with RP does not exclude X-linked disease. The phenotypic spectrum as described herein has prognostic and counselling implications for RP2 carriers and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Georgiou
- From the Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdeom; University College London Institute of Ophthalmology (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., M.E.C., A.R.W., A.J.H., M.M.), University College London, London, United Kingdom; Jones Eye Institute (M.G., S.H.U., M.H.J., A.F.S.), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Anthony G Robson
- From the Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdeom; University College London Institute of Ophthalmology (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., M.E.C., A.R.W., A.J.H., M.M.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sami H Uwaydat
- Jones Eye Institute (M.G., S.H.U., M.H.J., A.F.S.), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Marco H Ji
- Jones Eye Institute (M.G., S.H.U., M.H.J., A.F.S.), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Ahmed F Shakarchi
- Jones Eye Institute (M.G., S.H.U., M.H.J., A.F.S.), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Nikolas Pontikos
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., M.E.C., A.R.W., A.J.H., M.M.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Omar A Mahroo
- From the Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdeom; University College London Institute of Ophthalmology (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., M.E.C., A.R.W., A.J.H., M.M.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael E Cheetham
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., M.E.C., A.R.W., A.J.H., M.M.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R Webster
- From the Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdeom; University College London Institute of Ophthalmology (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., M.E.C., A.R.W., A.J.H., M.M.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison J Hardcastle
- From the Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdeom; University College London Institute of Ophthalmology (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., M.E.C., A.R.W., A.J.H., M.M.), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michel Michaelides
- From the Moorfields Eye Hospital (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., A.R.W., M.M.), London, United Kingdeom; University College London Institute of Ophthalmology (M.G., A.G.R., N.P., O.A.M., M.E.C., A.R.W., A.J.H., M.M.), University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Du X, Butler AG, Chen HY. Cell-cell interaction in the pathogenesis of inherited retinal diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1332944. [PMID: 38500685 PMCID: PMC10944940 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1332944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The retina is part of the central nervous system specialized for vision. Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a group of clinically and genetically heterogenous disorders that lead to progressive vision impairment or blindness. Although each disorder is rare, IRD accumulatively cause blindness in up to 5.5 million individuals worldwide. Currently, the pathophysiological mechanisms of IRD are not fully understood and there are limited treatment options available. Most IRD are caused by degeneration of light-sensitive photoreceptors. Genetic mutations that abrogate the structure and/or function of photoreceptors lead to visual impairment followed by blindness caused by loss of photoreceptors. In healthy retina, photoreceptors structurally and functionally interact with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller glia (MG) to maintain retinal homeostasis. Multiple IRD with photoreceptor degeneration as a major phenotype are caused by mutations of RPE- and/or MG-associated genes. Recent studies also reveal compromised MG and RPE caused by mutations in ubiquitously expressed ciliary genes. Therefore, photoreceptor degeneration could be a direct consequence of gene mutations and/or could be secondary to the dysfunction of their interaction partners in the retina. This review summarizes the mechanisms of photoreceptor-RPE/MG interaction in supporting retinal functions and discusses how the disruption of these processes could lead to photoreceptor degeneration, with an aim to provide a unique perspective of IRD pathogenesis and treatment paradigm. We will first describe the biology of retina and IRD and then discuss the interaction between photoreceptors and MG/RPE as well as their implications in disease pathogenesis. Finally, we will summarize the recent advances in IRD therapeutics targeting MG and/or RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Holly Y. Chen
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Chen JL, Leeder WM, Morais P, Adachi H, Yu YT. Pseudouridylation-mediated gene expression modulation. Biochem J 2024; 481:1-16. [PMID: 38174858 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
RNA-guided pseudouridylation, a widespread post-transcriptional RNA modification, has recently gained recognition for its role in cellular processes such as pre-mRNA splicing and the modulation of premature termination codon (PTC) readthrough. This review provides insights into its mechanisms, functions, and potential therapeutic applications. It examines the mechanisms governing RNA-guided pseudouridylation, emphasizing the roles of guide RNAs and pseudouridine synthases in catalyzing uridine-to-pseudouridine conversion. A key focus is the impact of RNA-guided pseudouridylation of U2 small nuclear RNA on pre-mRNA splicing, encompassing its influence on branch site recognition and spliceosome assembly. Additionally, the review discusses the emerging role of RNA-guided pseudouridylation in regulating PTC readthrough, impacting translation termination and genetic disorders. Finally, it explores the therapeutic potential of pseudouridine modifications, offering insights into potential treatments for genetic diseases and cancer and the development of mRNA vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan L Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, U.S.A
| | | | | | - Hironori Adachi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, U.S.A
| | - Yi-Tao Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, U.S.A
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Li S, Li J, Shi W, Nie Z, Zhang S, Ma F, Hu J, Chen J, Li P, Xie X. Pharmaceuticals Promoting Premature Termination Codon Readthrough: Progress in Development. Biomolecules 2023; 13:988. [PMID: 37371567 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060988] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Around 11% of all known gene lesions causing human genetic diseases are nonsense mutations that introduce a premature stop codon (PTC) into the protein-coding gene sequence. Drug-induced PTC readthrough is a promising therapeutic strategy for treating hereditary diseases caused by nonsense mutations. To date, it has been found that more than 50 small-molecular compounds can promote PTC readthrough, known as translational readthrough-inducing drugs (TRIDs), and can be divided into two major categories: aminoglycosides and non-aminoglycosides. This review summarizes the pharmacodynamics and clinical application potential of the main TRIDs discovered so far, especially some newly discovered TRIDs in the past decade. The discovery of these TRIDs brings hope for treating nonsense mutations in various genetic diseases. Further research is still needed to deeply understand the mechanism of eukaryotic cell termination and drug-induced PTC readthrough so that patients can achieve the greatest benefit from the various TRID treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Juan Li
- Central Laboratory, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Genetic Study of Hematopathy, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wenjing Shi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ziyan Nie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Shasha Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Fengdie Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jun Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Peiqiang Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiaodong Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Corral-Serrano JC, Sladen PE, Ottaviani D, Rezek OF, Athanasiou D, Jovanovic K, van der Spuy J, Mansfield BC, Cheetham ME. Eupatilin Improves Cilia Defects in Human CEP290 Ciliopathy Models. Cells 2023; 12:1575. [PMID: 37371046 PMCID: PMC10297203 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121575] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The photoreceptor outer segment is a highly specialized primary cilium that is essential for phototransduction and vision. Biallelic pathogenic variants in the cilia-associated gene CEP290 cause non-syndromic Leber congenital amaurosis 10 (LCA10) and syndromic diseases, where the retina is also affected. While RNA antisense oligonucleotides and gene editing are potential treatment options for the common deep intronic variant c.2991+1655A>G in CEP290, there is a need for variant-independent approaches that could be applied to a broader spectrum of ciliopathies. Here, we generated several distinct human models of CEP290-related retinal disease and investigated the effects of the flavonoid eupatilin as a potential treatment. Eupatilin improved cilium formation and length in CEP290 LCA10 patient-derived fibroblasts, in gene-edited CEP290 knockout (CEP290 KO) RPE1 cells, and in both CEP290 LCA10 and CEP290 KO iPSCs-derived retinal organoids. Furthermore, eupatilin reduced rhodopsin retention in the outer nuclear layer of CEP290 LCA10 retinal organoids. Eupatilin altered gene transcription in retinal organoids by modulating the expression of rhodopsin and by targeting cilia and synaptic plasticity pathways. This work sheds light on the mechanism of action of eupatilin and supports its potential as a variant-independent approach for CEP290-associated ciliopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul E. Sladen
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (P.E.S.); (D.O.)
| | - Daniele Ottaviani
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (P.E.S.); (D.O.)
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35122 Padova PD, Italy
| | - Olivia F. Rezek
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (P.E.S.); (D.O.)
| | - Dimitra Athanasiou
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (P.E.S.); (D.O.)
| | - Katarina Jovanovic
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (P.E.S.); (D.O.)
| | | | - Brian C. Mansfield
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6710B, Rockledge Drive, Montgomery County, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael E. Cheetham
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (P.E.S.); (D.O.)
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Corral-Serrano JC, Sladen PE, Ottaviani D, Rezek FO, Jovanovic K, Athanasiou D, van der Spuy J, Mansfield BC, Cheetham ME. Eupatilin improves cilia defects in human CEP290 ciliopathy models. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.12.536565. [PMID: 37205323 PMCID: PMC10187159 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The photoreceptor outer segment is a highly specialized primary cilium essential for phototransduction and vision. Biallelic pathogenic variants in the cilia-associated gene CEP290 cause non-syndromic Leber congenital amaurosis 10 (LCA10) and syndromic diseases, where the retina is also affected. While RNA antisense oligonucleotides and gene editing are potential treatment options for the common deep intronic variant c.2991+1655A>G in CEP290 , there is a need for variant-independent approaches that could be applied to a broader spectrum of ciliopathies. Here, we generated several distinct human models of CEP290 -related retinal disease and investigated the effects of the flavonoid eupatilin as a potential treatment. Eupatilin improved cilium formation and length in CEP290 LCA10 patient-derived fibroblasts, in gene-edited CEP290 knockout (CEP290 KO) RPE1 cells, and in both CEP290 LCA10 and CEP290 KO iPSCs-derived retinal organoids. Furthermore, eupatilin reduced rhodopsin retention in the outer nuclear layer of CEP290 LCA10 retinal organoids. Eupatilin altered gene transcription in retinal organoids, by modulating the expression of rhodopsin, and by targeting cilia and synaptic plasticity pathways. This work sheds light into the mechanism of action of eupatilin, and supports its potential as a variant-independent approach for CEP290 -associated ciliopathies. Abstract Figure
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Affiliation(s)
- JC Corral-Serrano
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL UK
| | - PE Sladen
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL UK
| | - D Ottaviani
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL UK
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - FO Rezek
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL UK
| | - K Jovanovic
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL UK
| | - D Athanasiou
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL UK
| | - J van der Spuy
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL UK
| | - BC Mansfield
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - ME Cheetham
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL UK
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Georgiou M, Robson AG, Jovanovic K, Guimarães TACD, Ali N, Pontikos N, Uwaydat SH, Mahroo OA, Cheetham ME, Webster AR, Hardcastle AJ, Michaelides M. RP2-Associated X-linked Retinopathy: Clinical Findings, Molecular Genetics, and Natural History. Ophthalmology 2023; 130:413-422. [PMID: 36423731 PMCID: PMC10567581 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.11.015] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To review and describe in detail the clinical course, functional and anatomic characteristics of RP2-associated retinal degeneration. DESIGN Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS Male participants with disease-causing variants in the RP2 gene. METHODS Review of all case notes and results of molecular genetic testing, retinal imaging (fundus autofluorescence [FAF] imaging, OCT), and electrophysiology assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Molecular genetic testing, clinical findings including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), qualitative and quantitative retinal imaging analysis, and electrophysiology parameters. RESULTS Fifty-four molecularly confirmed patients were identified from 38 pedigrees. Twenty-eight disease-causing variants were identified, with 20 not previously clinically characterized. Fifty-three patients (98.1%) presented with retinitis pigmentosa. The mean age of onset (range ± standard deviation [SD]) was 9.6 years (1-57 ± 9.2 years). Forty-four patients (91.7%) had childhood-onset disease, with mean age of onset of 7.6 years. The most common first symptom was night blindness (68.8%). Mean BCVA (range ± SD) was 0.91 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (0-2.7 ± 0.80) and 0.94 logMAR (0-2.7 ± 0.78) for right and left eyes, respectively. On the basis of the World Health Organization visual impairment criteria, 18 patients (34%) had low vision. The majority (17/22) showed electroretinogram (ERG) evidence of a rod-cone dystrophy. Pattern ERG P50 was undetectable in all but 2 patients. A range of FAF findings was observed, from normal to advanced atrophy. There were no statistically significant differences between right and left eyes for ellipsoid zone width (EZW) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness. The mean annual rate of EZW loss was 219 μm/year, and the mean annual decrease in ONL thickness was 4.93 μm/year. No patient with childhood-onset disease had an identifiable ellipsoid zone (EZ) after the age of 26 years at baseline or follow-up. Four patients had adulthood-onset disease and a less severe phenotype. CONCLUSIONS This study details the clinical phenotype of RP2 retinopathy in a large cohort. The majority presented with early-onset severe retinal degeneration, with early macular involvement and complete loss of the foveal photoreceptor layer by the third decade of life. Full-field ERGs revealed rod-cone dystrophy in the vast majority, but with generalized (peripheral) cone system involvement of widely varying severity in the first 2 decades of life. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Georgiou
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Anthony G Robson
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katarina Jovanovic
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thales A C de Guimarães
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Naser Ali
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolas Pontikos
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sami H Uwaydat
- Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Omar A Mahroo
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael E Cheetham
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R Webster
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison J Hardcastle
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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10
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Melluso A, Secondulfo F, Capolongo G, Capasso G, Zacchia M. Bardet-Biedl Syndrome: Current Perspectives and Clinical Outlook. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2023; 19:115-132. [PMID: 36741589 PMCID: PMC9896974 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s338653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bardet Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare inherited disorder considered a model of non-motile ciliopathy. It is in fact caused by mutations of genes encoding for proteins mainly localized to the base of the cilium. Clinical features of BBS patients are widely shared with patients suffering from other ciliopathies, especially autosomal recessive syndromic disorders; moreover, mutations in cilia-related genes can cause different clinical ciliopathy entities. Besides the best-known clinical features, as retinal degeneration, learning disabilities, polydactyly, obesity and renal defects, several additional clinical signs have been reported in BBS, expanding our understanding of the complexity of its clinical spectrum. The present review aims to describe the current knowledge of BBS i) pathophysiology, ii) clinical manifestations, highlighting both the most common and the less described features, iii) current and future perspective for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Melluso
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Floriana Secondulfo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Capolongo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovambattista Capasso
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy,Biogem Scarl, Ariano Irpino, AV, 83031, Italy
| | - Miriam Zacchia
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy,Correspondence: Miriam Zacchia, Via Pansini 5, Naples, 80131, Italy, Tel +39 081 566 6650, Fax +39 081 566 6671, Email
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11
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Leung A, Sacristan-Reviriego A, Perdigão PRL, Sai H, Georgiou M, Kalitzeos A, Carr AJF, Coffey PJ, Michaelides M, Bainbridge J, Cheetham ME, van der Spuy J. Investigation of PTC124-mediated translational readthrough in a retinal organoid model of AIPL1-associated Leber congenital amaurosis. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2187-2202. [PMID: 36084639 PMCID: PMC9561542 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Leber congenital amaurosis type 4 (LCA4), caused by AIPL1 mutations, is characterized by severe sight impairment in infancy and rapidly progressing degeneration of photoreceptor cells. We generated retinal organoids using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from renal epithelial cells obtained from four children with AIPL1 nonsense mutations. iPSC-derived photoreceptors exhibited the molecular hallmarks of LCA4, including undetectable AIPL1 and rod cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) phosphodiesterase (PDE6) compared with control or CRISPR-corrected organoids. Increased levels of cGMP were detected. The translational readthrough-inducing drug (TRID) PTC124 was investigated as a potential therapeutic agent. LCA4 retinal organoids exhibited low levels of rescue of full-length AIPL1. However, this was insufficient to fully restore PDE6 in photoreceptors and reduce cGMP. LCA4 retinal organoids are a valuable platform for in vitro investigation of novel therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Leung
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | | | - Hali Sai
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Michalis Georgiou
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Angelos Kalitzeos
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | | | | | - Michel Michaelides
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - James Bainbridge
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
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12
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Lombardi S, Testa MF, Pinotti M, Branchini A. Translation termination codons in protein synthesis and disease. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2022; 132:1-48. [PMID: 36088072 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Fidelity of protein synthesis, a process shaped by several mechanisms involving specialized ribosome regions and external factors, ensures the precise reading of sense as well as stop codons (UGA, UAG, UAA), which are usually localized at the 3' of mRNA and drive the release of the polypeptide chain. However, either natural (NTCs) or premature (PTCs) termination codons, the latter arising from nucleotide changes, can undergo a recoding process named ribosome or translational readthrough, which insert specific amino acids (NTCs) or subset(s) depending on the stop codon type (PTCs). This process is particularly relevant for nonsense mutations, a relatively frequent cause of genetic disorders, which impair gene expression at different levels by potentially leading to mRNA degradation and/or synthesis of truncated proteins. As a matter of fact, many efforts have been made to develop efficient and safe readthrough-inducing compounds, which have been challenged in several models of human disease to provide with a therapy. In this view, the dissection of the molecular determinants shaping the outcome of readthrough, namely nucleotide and protein contexts as well as their interplay and impact on protein structure/function, is crucial to identify responsive nonsense mutations resulting in functional full-length proteins. The interpretation of experimental and mechanistic findings is also important to define a possibly clear picture of potential readthrough-favorable features useful to achieve rescue profiles compatible with therapeutic thresholds typical of each targeted disorder, which is of primary importance for the potential translatability of readthrough into a personalized and mutation-specific, and thus patient-oriented, therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Lombardi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Testa
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mirko Pinotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessio Branchini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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13
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Ciliary Proteins Repurposed by the Synaptic Ribbon: Trafficking Myristoylated Proteins at Rod Photoreceptor Synapses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137135. [PMID: 35806143 PMCID: PMC9266639 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Unc119 protein mediates transport of myristoylated proteins to the photoreceptor outer segment, a specialized primary cilium. This transport activity is regulated by the GTPase Arl3 as well as by Arl13b and Rp2 that control Arl3 activation/inactivation. Interestingly, Unc119 is also enriched in photoreceptor synapses and can bind to RIBEYE, the main component of synaptic ribbons. In the present study, we analyzed whether the known regulatory proteins, that control the Unc119-dependent myristoylated protein transport at the primary cilium, are also present at the photoreceptor synaptic ribbon complex by using high-resolution immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy. We found Arl3 and Arl13b to be enriched at the synaptic ribbon whereas Rp2 was predominantly found on vesicles distributed within the entire terminal. These findings indicate that the synaptic ribbon could be involved in the discharge of Unc119-bound lipid-modified proteins. In agreement with this hypothesis, we found Nphp3 (Nephrocystin-3), a myristoylated, Unc119-dependent cargo protein enriched at the basal portion of the ribbon in close vicinity to the active zone. Mutations in Nphp3 are known to be associated with Senior–Løken Syndrome 3 (SLS3). Visual impairment and blindness in SLS3 might thus not only result from ciliary dysfunctions but also from malfunctions of the photoreceptor synapse.
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14
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Retinitis pigmentosa 2 pathogenic mutants degrade through BAG6/HUWE1 complex. Exp Eye Res 2022; 220:109110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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15
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Yamazawa K, Shimizu K, Ohashi H, Haruna H, Inoue S, Murakami H, Matsunaga T, Iwata T, Tsunoda K, Fujinami K. A Japanese boy with double diagnoses of 2p15p16.1 microdeletion syndrome and RP2-associated retinal disorder. Hum Genome Var 2021; 8:46. [PMID: 34921139 PMCID: PMC8683409 DOI: 10.1038/s41439-021-00178-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
2p15p16.1 microdeletion syndrome is a recently recognized congenital disorder characterized by developmental delay and dysmorphic features. RP2-associated retinal disorder (RP2-RD) is an X-linked inherited retinal disease with a childhood onset caused by a loss-of-function variant in the RP2 gene. Here, we describe a 14-year-old boy with double diagnoses of 2p15p16.1 microdeletion syndrome and RP2-RD. The recurrence risk of each condition and the indication for potential therapeutic options for RP2-RD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Yamazawa
- Medical Genetics Center, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan. .,Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kenji Shimizu
- Division of Medical Genetics, Saitama Children's Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.,Division of Medical Genetics and Cytogenetics, Shizuoka Children's Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Ohashi
- Division of Medical Genetics, Saitama Children's Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hidenori Haruna
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satomi Inoue
- Medical Genetics Center, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruka Murakami
- Medical Genetics Center, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Matsunaga
- Medical Genetics Center, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Hearing and Balance Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Iwata
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazushige Tsunoda
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaoru Fujinami
- Medical Genetics Center, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan. .,Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan. .,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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16
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Sladen PE, Perdigão PR, Salsbury G, Novoselova T, van der Spuy J, Chapple JP, Yu-Wai-Man P, Cheetham ME. CRISPR-Cas9 correction of OPA1 c.1334G>A: p.R445H restores mitochondrial homeostasis in dominant optic atrophy patient-derived iPSCs. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:432-443. [PMID: 34589289 PMCID: PMC8455316 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA) is the most common inherited optic neuropathy in the United Kingdom. DOA has an insidious onset in early childhood, typically presenting with bilateral, central visual loss caused by the preferential loss of retinal ganglion cells. 60%-70% of genetically confirmed DOA cases are associated with variants in OPA1, a ubiquitously expressed GTPase that regulates mitochondrial homeostasis through coordination of inner membrane fusion, maintenance of cristae structure, and regulation of bioenergetic output. Whether genetic correction of OPA1 pathogenic variants can alleviate disease-associated phenotypes remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate generation of patient-derived OPA1 c.1334G>A: p.R445H mutant induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), followed by correction of OPA1 through CRISPR-Cas9-guided homology-directed repair (HDR) and evaluate the effect of OPA1 correction on mitochondrial homeostasis. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing demonstrated an efficient method of OPA1 correction, with successful gene correction in 57% of isolated iPSCs. Correction of OPA1 restored mitochondrial homeostasis, re-establishing the mitochondrial network and basal respiration and ATP production levels. In addition, correction of OPA1 re-established the levels of wild-type (WT) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and reduced susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli. These data demonstrate that nuclear gene correction can restore mitochondrial homeostasis and improve mtDNA integrity in DOA patient-derived cells carrying an OPA1 variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E. Sladen
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | - Grace Salsbury
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Tatiana Novoselova
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | | | - J. Paul Chapple
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, ED Adrian Building, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
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17
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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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18
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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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19
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Ataluren-Promising Therapeutic Premature Termination Codon Readthrough Frontrunner. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080785. [PMID: 34451881 PMCID: PMC8398184 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Around 12% of hereditary disease-causing mutations are in-frame nonsense mutations. The expression of genes containing nonsense mutations potentially leads to the production of truncated proteins with residual or virtually no function. However, the translation of transcripts containing premature stop codons resulting in full-length protein expression can be achieved using readthrough agents. Among them, only ataluren was approved in several countries to treat nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. This review summarizes ataluren’s journey from its identification, via first in vitro activity experiments, to clinical trials in DMD, cystic fibrosis, and aniridia. Additionally, data on its pharmacokinetics and mechanism of action are presented. The range of diseases with underlying nonsense mutations is described for which ataluren therapy seems to be promising. What is more, experiments in which ataluren did not show its readthrough activity are also included, and reasons for their failures are discussed.
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20
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Eintracht J, Forsythe E, May-Simera H, Moosajee M. Translational readthrough of ciliopathy genes BBS2 and ALMS1 restores protein, ciliogenesis and function in patient fibroblasts. EBioMedicine 2021; 70:103515. [PMID: 34365092 PMCID: PMC8353411 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ciliary dysfunction underlies a range of genetic disorders collectively termed ciliopathies, for which there are no treatments available. Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is characterised by multisystemic involvement, including rod-cone dystrophy and renal abnormalities. Together with Alström syndrome (AS), they are known as the 'obesity ciliopathies' due to their common phenotype. Nonsense mutations are responsible for approximately 11% and 40% of BBS and AS cases, respectively. Translational readthrough inducing drugs (TRIDs) can restore full-length protein bypassing in-frame premature termination codons, and are a potential therapeutic approach for nonsense-mediated ciliopathies. METHODS Patient fibroblasts harbouring nonsense mutations from two different ciliopathies (Bardet-Biedl Syndrome and Alström Syndrome) were treated with PTC124 (ataluren) or amlexanox. Following treatment, gene expression, protein levels and ciliogenesis were evaluated. The expression of intraflagellar transport protein IFT88 and G-protein coupled receptor SSTR3 was investigated as a readout of ciliary function. FINDINGS mRNA expression was significantly increased in amlexanox-treated patient fibroblasts, and full-length BBS2 or ALMS1 protein expression was restored in PTC124- and amlexanox-treated fibroblasts. Treatment with TRIDs significantly improved ciliogenesis defects in BBS2Y24*/R275* fibroblasts. Treatment recovered IFT88 expression and corrected SSTR3 mislocalisation in BBS2Y24*/R275* and ALMS1S1645*/S1645* fibroblasts, suggesting rescue of ciliary function. INTERPRETATION The recovery of full-length BBS2 and ALMS1 expression and correction of anatomical and functional ciliary defects in BBS2Y24*/R275* and ALMS1S1645*/S1645* fibroblasts suggest TRIDs are a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of nonsense-mediated ciliopathies. FUNDING Wellcome Trust 205174/Z/16/Z, National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SPP2127 (DFG Grant MA 6139/3-1).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth Forsythe
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
| | - Helen May-Simera
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenburg University, Mainz
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom; The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom; Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
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21
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Schilff M, Sargsyan Y, Hofhuis J, Thoms S. Stop Codon Context-Specific Induction of Translational Readthrough. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11071006. [PMID: 34356630 PMCID: PMC8301745 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature termination codon (PTC) mutations account for approximately 10% of pathogenic variants in monogenic diseases. Stimulation of translational readthrough, also known as stop codon suppression, using translational readthrough-inducing drugs (TRIDs) may serve as a possible therapeutic strategy for the treatment of genetic PTC diseases. One important parameter governing readthrough is the stop codon context (SCC)-the stop codon itself and the nucleotides in the vicinity of the stop codon on the mRNA. However, the quantitative influence of the SCC on treatment outcome and on appropriate drug concentrations are largely unknown. Here, we analyze the readthrough-stimulatory effect of various readthrough-inducing drugs on the SCCs of five common premature termination codon mutations of PEX5 in a sensitive dual reporter system. Mutations in PEX5, encoding the peroxisomal targeting signal 1 receptor, can cause peroxisomal biogenesis disorders of the Zellweger spectrum. We show that the stop context has a strong influence on the levels of readthrough stimulation and impacts the choice of the most effective drug and its concentration. These results highlight potential advantages and the personalized medicine nature of an SCC-based strategy in the therapy of rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirco Schilff
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (J.H.)
| | - Yelena Sargsyan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (J.H.)
| | - Julia Hofhuis
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (J.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Sven Thoms
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (J.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-521-106-86502
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22
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Georgiou M, Fujinami K, Michaelides M. Inherited retinal diseases: Therapeutics, clinical trials and end points-A review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021; 49:270-288. [PMID: 33686777 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterised by photoreceptor degeneration or dysfunction. These disorders typically present with severe vision loss that can be progressive, with disease onset ranging from congenital to late adulthood. The advances in genetics, retinal imaging and molecular biology, have conspired to create the ideal environment for establishing treatments for IRDs, with the first approved gene therapy and the commencement of multiple clinical trials. The scope of this review is to familiarise clinicians and scientists with the current management and the prospects for novel therapies for: (1) macular dystrophies, (2) cone and cone-rod dystrophies, (3) cone dysfunction syndromes, (4) Leber congenital amaurosis, (5) rod-cone dystrophies, (6) rod dysfunction syndromes and (7) chorioretinal dystrophies. We also briefly summarise the investigated end points for the ongoing trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Georgiou
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Kaoru Fujinami
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michel Michaelides
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Translational Read-Through Therapy of RPGR Nonsense Mutations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228418. [PMID: 33182541 PMCID: PMC7697989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228418] [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: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
X-chromosomal retinitis pigmentosa (RP) frequently is caused by mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene. We evaluated the potential of PTC124 (Ataluren, TranslamaTM) treatment to promote ribosomal read-through of premature termination codons (PTC) in RPGR. Expression constructs in HEK293T cells showed that the efficacy of read-through reagents is higher for UGA than UAA PTCs. We identified the novel hemizygous nonsense mutation c.1154T > A, p.Leu385* (NM_000328.3) causing a UAA PTC in RPGR and generated patient-derived fibroblasts. Immunocytochemistry of serum-starved control fibroblasts showed the RPGR protein in a dot-like expression pattern along the primary cilium. In contrast, RPGR was no longer detectable at the primary cilium in patient-derived cells. Applying PTC124 restored RPGR at the cilium in approximately 8% of patient-derived cells. RT-PCR and Western blot assays verified the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the nonsense variant. Immunofluorescence stainings confirmed the successful PTC124 treatment. Our results showed for the first time that PTC124 induces read-through of PTCs in RPGR and restores the localization of the RPGR protein at the primary cilium in patient-derived cells. These results may provide a promising new treatment option for patients suffering from nonsense mutations in RPGR or other genetic diseases.
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24
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Eintracht J, Toms M, Moosajee M. The Use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Model for Developmental Eye Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:265. [PMID: 32973457 PMCID: PMC7468397 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00265] [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: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately one-third of childhood blindness is attributed to developmental eye disorders, of which 80% have a genetic cause. Eye morphogenesis is tightly regulated by a highly conserved network of transcription factors when disrupted by genetic mutations can result in severe ocular malformation. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are an attractive tool to study early eye development as they are more physiologically relevant than animal models, can be patient-specific and their use does not elicit the ethical concerns associated with human embryonic stem cells. The generation of self-organizing hiPSC-derived optic cups is a major advancement to understanding mechanisms of ocular development and disease. Their development in vitro has been found to mirror that of the human eye and these early organoids have been used to effectively model microphthalmia caused by a VSX2 variant. hiPSC-derived optic cups, retina, and cornea organoids are powerful tools for future modeling of disease phenotypes and will enable a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of many other developmental eye disorders. These models will also provide an effective platform for identifying molecular therapeutic targets and for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Toms
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Lane A, Jovanovic K, Shortall C, Ottaviani D, Panes AB, Schwarz N, Guarascio R, Hayes MJ, Palfi A, Chadderton N, Farrar GJ, Hardcastle AJ, Cheetham ME. Modeling and Rescue of RP2 Retinitis Pigmentosa Using iPSC-Derived Retinal Organoids. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:67-79. [PMID: 32531192 PMCID: PMC7363745 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RP2 mutations cause a severe form of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). The mechanism of RP2-associated retinal degeneration in humans is unclear, and animal models of RP2 XLRP do not recapitulate this severe phenotype. Here, we developed gene-edited isogenic RP2 knockout (RP2 KO) induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and RP2 patient-derived iPSC to produce 3D retinal organoids as a human retinal disease model. Strikingly, the RP2 KO and RP2 patient-derived organoids showed a peak in rod photoreceptor cell death at day 150 (D150) with subsequent thinning of the organoid outer nuclear layer (ONL) by D180 of culture. Adeno-associated virus-mediated gene augmentation with human RP2 rescued the degeneration phenotype of the RP2 KO organoids, to prevent ONL thinning and restore rhodopsin expression. Notably, these data show that 3D retinal organoids can be used to model photoreceptor degeneration and test potential therapies to prevent photoreceptor cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ciara Shortall
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Arpad Palfi
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Naomi Chadderton
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - G Jane Farrar
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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26
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Morizur L, Herardot E, Monville C, Ben M'Barek K. Human pluripotent stem cells: A toolbox to understand and treat retinal degeneration. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 107:103523. [PMID: 32634576 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) are retinal degenerative disorders that dramatically damage the retina. As there is no therapeutic option for the majority of patients, vision is progressively and irremediably lost. Owing to their unlimited renewal and potency to give rise to any cell type of the human adult body, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been extensively studied in recent years to develop more physiologically relevant in vitro cellular models. Such models open new perspectives to investigate the pathological molecular mechanisms of AMD and RP but also in drug screening. Moreover, proof-of-concept of hPSC-derived retinal cell therapy in animal models have led to first clinical trials. This review outlines the recent advances in the use of hPSCs in pathological modeling of retinal degeneration and their use in regenerative medicine. We also address the associated limitations and challenges that need to be overcome when using hPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Morizur
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université d'Evry, U861, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France; Centre d'Etude des Cellules Souches, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Elise Herardot
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université d'Evry, U861, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Christelle Monville
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université d'Evry, U861, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
| | - Karim Ben M'Barek
- INSERM U861, I-Stem, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Université d'Evry, U861, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France; Centre d'Etude des Cellules Souches, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France.
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27
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Way CM, Lima Cunha D, Moosajee M. Translational readthrough inducing drugs for the treatment of inherited retinal dystrophies. EXPERT REVIEW OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/17469899.2020.1762489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Way
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Dulce Lima Cunha
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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28
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Liu X, Zhang Y, Zhang B, Gao H, Qiu C. Nonsense suppression induced readthrough of a novel PAX6 mutation in patient-derived cells of congenital aniridia. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1198. [PMID: 32125788 PMCID: PMC7216799 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Congenital aniridia is a severe ocular abnormality characterized by incomplete formation of the iris and many other ocular complications. Most cases are caused by the paired box 6 (PAX6) gene mutations generating premature termination codons (PTCs). Methods Ophthalmic examination was performed on a Chinese pedigree with congenital aniridia. The mutation was identified by targeted next‐generation sequencing. Nonsense suppression therapy was applied on patient‐derived lymphocytes. The PAX6 expression was assayed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Results Complete aniridia was complicated with horizontal nystagmus, contract, foveal hypoplasia, and microphthalmia. A novel heterozygous c.702_703delinsAT (p.Tyr234*) mutation was found in exon 9 of PAX6, generating a PTC at the homeodomain. There were about 50% reductions of both full‐length PAX6 protein and PAX6 mRNA in patient‐derived lymphocytes, indicating haploinsufficiency due to nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay. Ataluren (PTC124) and geneticin (G418) could induce about 30%–40% translational readthrough. Nonsense suppression therapy restored PAX6 protein to about 65%–70% of unaffected family controls. Conclusion Our data expanded the genetic and phenotypic variations of congenital aniridia, and showed the therapeutic effect of nonsense suppression on this disease using patient‐derived cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Liu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bijun Zhang
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haiming Gao
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chuang Qiu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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29
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Barnea-Cramer AO, Singh M, Fischer D, De Silva S, McClements ME, Barnard AR, MacLaren RE. Repair of Retinal Degeneration following Ex Vivo Minicircle DNA Gene Therapy and Transplantation of Corrected Photoreceptor Progenitors. Mol Ther 2020; 28:830-844. [PMID: 32027843 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors describe retinal reconstruction and restoration of visual function in heritably blind mice missing the rhodopsin gene using a novel method of ex vivo gene therapy and cell transplantation. Photoreceptor precursors with the same chromosomal genetic mutation were treated ex vivo using minicircle DNA, a non-viral technique that does not present the packaging limitations of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Following transplantation, genetically modified cells reconstructed a functional retina and supported vision in blind mice harboring the same founder gene mutation. Gene delivery by minicircles showed comparable long-term efficiency to AAV in delivering the missing gene, representing the first non-viral system for robust treatment of photoreceptors. This important proof-of-concept finding provides an innovative convergence of cell and gene therapies for the treatment of hereditary neurodegenerative disease and may be applied in future studies toward ex vivo correction of patient-specific cells to provide an autologous source of tissue to replace lost photoreceptors in inherited retinal blindness. This is the first report using minicircles in photoreceptor progenitors and the first to transplant corrected photoreceptor precursors to restore vision in blind animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mandeep Singh
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Dominik Fischer
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; University Eye Hospital and Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Samantha De Silva
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Alun R Barnard
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK.
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30
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Tarrasó G, Real-Martinez A, Parés M, Romero-Cortadellas L, Puigros L, Moya L, de Luna N, Brull A, Martín MA, Arenas J, Lucia A, Andreu AL, Barquinero J, Vissing J, Krag TO, Pinós T. Absence of p.R50X Pygm read-through in McArdle disease cellular models. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm.043281. [PMID: 31848135 PMCID: PMC6994938 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.043281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
McArdle disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the absence of muscle glycogen phosphorylase, which leads to blocked muscle glycogen breakdown. We used three different cellular models to evaluate the efficiency of different read-through agents (including amlexanox, Ataluren, RTC13 and G418) in McArdle disease. The first model consisted of HeLa cells transfected with two different GFP-PYGM constructs presenting the Pygm p.R50X mutation (GFP-PYGM p.R50X and PYGM Ex1-GFP p.R50X). The second cellular model was based on the creation of HEK293T cell lines stably expressing the PYGM Ex1-GFP p.R50X construct. As these plasmids encode murine Pygm cDNA without any intron sequence, their transfection in cells would allow for analysis of the efficacy of read-through agents with no concomitant nonsense-mediated decay interference. The third model consisted of skeletal muscle cultures derived from the McArdle mouse model (knock-in for the p.R50X mutation in the Pygm gene). We found no evidence of read-through at detectable levels in any of the models evaluated. We performed a literature search and compared the premature termination codon context sequences with reported positive and negative read-through induction, identifying a potential role for nucleotide positions −9, −8, −3, −2, +13 and +14 (the first nucleotide of the stop codon is assigned as +1). The Pygm p.R50X mutation presents TGA as a stop codon, G nucleotides at positions −1 and −9, and a C nucleotide at −3, which potentially generate a good context for read-through induction, counteracted by the presence of C at −2 and its absence at +4. Summary: Here, we evaluated the efficiency of different read-through agents in McArdle disease cell culture models, revealing that read-through compounds do not restore full-length muscle glycogen phosphorylase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Tarrasó
- Mitochondrial and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Alberto Real-Martinez
- Mitochondrial and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Marta Parés
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Lídia Romero-Cortadellas
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Laura Puigros
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Laura Moya
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Noemí de Luna
- Laboratori de Malalties Neuromusculars, Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08041, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Astrid Brull
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMRS_974, Center of Research in Myology, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Miguel Angel Martín
- Mitochondrial and Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, 12 de Octubre Hospital Research Institute (i+12), Madrid 28041, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Joaquin Arenas
- Mitochondrial and Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, 12 de Octubre Hospital Research Institute (i+12), Madrid 28041, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Alejandro Lucia
- Mitochondrial and Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory, 12 de Octubre Hospital Research Institute (i+12), Madrid 28041, Spain.,Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University, Madrid 28670, Spain
| | - Antoni L Andreu
- Mitochondrial and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Jordi Barquinero
- Gene and Cell Therapy Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - John Vissing
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Thomas O Krag
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Tomàs Pinós
- Mitochondrial and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid 28029, Spain
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31
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Erkilic N, Gatinois V, Torriano S, Bouret P, Sanjurjo-Soriano C, Luca VD, Damodar K, Cereso N, Puechberty J, Sanchez-Alcudia R, Hamel CP, Ayuso C, Meunier I, Pellestor F, Kalatzis V. A Novel Chromosomal Translocation Identified due to Complex Genetic Instability in iPSC Generated for Choroideremia. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091068. [PMID: 31514470 PMCID: PMC6770680 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have revolutionized the study of human diseases as they can renew indefinitely, undergo multi-lineage differentiation, and generate disease-specific models. However, the difficulty of working with iPSCs is that they are prone to genetic instability. Furthermore, genetically unstable iPSCs are often discarded, as they can have unforeseen consequences on pathophysiological or therapeutic read-outs. We generated iPSCs from two brothers of a previously unstudied family affected with the inherited retinal dystrophy choroideremia. We detected complex rearrangements involving chromosomes 12, 20 and/or 5 in the generated iPSCs. Suspecting an underlying chromosomal aberration, we performed karyotype analysis of the original fibroblasts, and of blood cells from additional family members. We identified a novel chromosomal translocation t(12;20)(q24.3;q11.2) segregating in this family. We determined that the translocation was balanced and did not impact subsequent retinal differentiation. We show for the first time that an undetected genetic instability in somatic cells can breed further instability upon reprogramming. Therefore, the detection of chromosomal aberrations in iPSCs should not be disregarded, as they may reveal rearrangements segregating in families. Furthermore, as such rearrangements are often associated with reproductive failure or birth defects, this in turn has important consequences for genetic counseling of family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nejla Erkilic
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
- University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Gatinois
- Chromosomal Genetics Unit, Chromostem Platform, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Simona Torriano
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
- University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Pauline Bouret
- Chromosomal Genetics Unit, Chromostem Platform, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Carla Sanjurjo-Soriano
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
- University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Valerie De Luca
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
- University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Krishna Damodar
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
- University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Cereso
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
- University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Jacques Puechberty
- Service of Clinical Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Rare Diseases and Personalized Medicine, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Rocio Sanchez-Alcudia
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Sanitary Investigation, Foundation Jimenez Diaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian P Hamel
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
- University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
- National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, CHU, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Carmen Ayuso
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Sanitary Investigation, Foundation Jimenez Diaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabelle Meunier
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France
- University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
- National Reference Centre for Inherited Sensory Diseases, CHU, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Franck Pellestor
- Chromosomal Genetics Unit, Chromostem Platform, CHU, Montpellier, France
| | - Vasiliki Kalatzis
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France.
- University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France.
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32
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Vázquez-Domínguez I, Garanto A, Collin RWJ. Molecular Therapies for Inherited Retinal Diseases-Current Standing, Opportunities and Challenges. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10090654. [PMID: 31466352 PMCID: PMC6770110 DOI: 10.3390/genes10090654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are both genetically and clinically highly heterogeneous and have long been considered incurable. Following the successful development of a gene augmentation therapy for biallelic RPE65-associated IRD, this view has changed. As a result, many different therapeutic approaches are currently being developed, in particular a large variety of molecular therapies. These are depending on the severity of the retinal degeneration, knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanism underlying each subtype of IRD, and the therapeutic target molecule. DNA therapies include approaches such as gene augmentation therapy, genome editing and optogenetics. For some genetic subtypes of IRD, RNA therapies and compound therapies have also shown considerable therapeutic potential. In this review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art of various therapeutic approaches, including the pros and cons of each strategy, and outline the future challenges that lie ahead in the combat against IRDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Vázquez-Domínguez
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Rob W J Collin
- Department of Human Genetics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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33
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Sarkar H, Mitsios A, Smart M, Skinner J, Welch AA, Kalatzis V, Coffey PJ, Dubis AM, Webster AR, Moosajee M. Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay efficiency varies in choroideremia providing a target to boost small molecule therapeutics. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:1865-1871. [PMID: 30689859 PMCID: PMC6522067 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Choroideremia (CHM) is an x-linked recessive chorioretinal dystrophy, with 30% caused by nonsense mutations in the CHM gene resulting in an in-frame premature termination codon (PTC). Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is the cell's natural surveillance mechanism that detects and destroys PTC-containing transcripts, with UPF1 being the central NMD modulator. NMD efficiency can be variable amongst individuals with some transcripts escaping destruction, leading to the production of a truncated non-functional or partially functional protein. Nonsense suppression drugs, such as ataluren, target these transcripts and read-through the PTC, leading to the production of a full length functional protein. Patients with higher transcript levels are considered to respond better to these drugs, as more substrate is available for read-through. Using Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR), we show that CHM mRNA expression in blood from nonsense mutation CHM patients is 2.8-fold lower than controls, and varies widely amongst patients, with 40% variation between those carrying the same UGA mutation [c.715 C>T; p.(R239*)]. These results indicate that although NMD machinery is at work, efficiency is highly variable and not wholly dependent on mutation position. No significant difference in CHM mRNA levels was seen between two patients' fibroblasts and their induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium. There was no correlation between CHM mRNA expression and genotype, phenotype or UPF1 transcript levels. NMD inhibition with caffeine was shown to restore CHM mRNA transcripts to near wild-type levels. Baseline mRNA levels may provide a prognostic indicator for response to nonsense suppression therapy, and caffeine may be a useful adjunct to enhance treatment efficacy where indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajrah Sarkar
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Andreas Mitsios
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Matthew Smart
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Jane Skinner
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Ailsa A Welch
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Vasiliki Kalatzis
- Inserm U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Peter J Coffey
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Adam M Dubis
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Andrew R Webster
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Department of Genetics, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Krall M, Htun S, Slavotinek A. Use of PTC124 for nonsense suppression therapy targeting BMP4 nonsense variants in vitro and the bmp4st72 allele in zebrafish. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212121. [PMID: 31017898 PMCID: PMC6481805 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonsense suppression therapy (NST) utilizes compounds such as PTC124 (Ataluren) to induce translational read-through of stop variants by promoting the insertion of near cognate, aminoacyl tRNAs that yield functional proteins. We used NST with PTC124 to determine if we could successfully rescue nonsense variants in human Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4) in vitro and in a zebrafish bmp4 allele with a stop variant in vivo. We transfected 293T/17 cells with wildtype or mutant human BMP4 cDNA containing p.Arg198* and p.Glu213* and exposed cells to 0–20 μM PTC124. Treatment with 20 μM PTC124 produced a small, non-significant increase in BMP4 when targeting the p.Arg198* allele, but not the p.Glu213* allele, as measured with an In-cell ELISA assay. We then examined the ability of PTC124 to rescue the ventral tail fin defects associated with homozygosity for the p.Glu209* allele of bmp4 (bmp4st72/st72) in Danio rerio. We in-crossed bmp4st72/+ heterozygous fish and found a statistically significant increase in homozygous larvae without tail fin and ventroposterior defects, consistent with phenotypic rescue, after treatment of dechorionated larvae with 0.5 μM PTC124. We conclude that treatment with PTC124 can rescue bmp4 nonsense variants, but that the degree of rescue may depend on sequence specific factors and the amount of RNA transcript available for rescue. Our work also confirms that zebrafish show promise as a useful animal model for assessing the efficacy of PTC124 treatment on nonsense variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Krall
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Htun
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Anne Slavotinek
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Shahi PK, Hermans D, Sinha D, Brar S, Moulton H, Stulo S, Borys KD, Capowski E, Pillers DAM, Gamm DM, Pattnaik BR. Gene Augmentation and Readthrough Rescue Channelopathy in an iPSC-RPE Model of Congenital Blindness. Am J Hum Genet 2019; 104:310-318. [PMID: 30686507 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants of the KCNJ13 gene are known to cause Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA16), an inherited pediatric blindness. KCNJ13 encodes the Kir7.1 subunit that acts as a tetrameric, inwardly rectifying potassium ion channel in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) to maintain ionic homeostasis and allow photoreceptors to encode visual information. We sought to determine whether genetic approaches might be effective in treating blindness arising from pathogenic variants in KCNJ13. We derived human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-RPE cells from an individual carrying a homozygous c.158G>A (p.Trp53∗) pathogenic variant of KCNJ13. We performed biochemical and electrophysiology assays to confirm Kir7.1 function. We tested both small-molecule readthrough drug and gene-therapy approaches for this "disease-in-a-dish" approach. We found that the LCA16 hiPSC-RPE cells had normal morphology but did not express a functional Kir7.1 channel and were unable to demonstrate normal physiology. After readthrough drug treatment, the LCA16 hiPSC cells were hyperpolarized by 30 mV, and the Kir7.1 current was restored. Similarly, we rescued Kir7.1 channel function after lentiviral gene delivery to the hiPSC-RPE cells. In both approaches, Kir7.1 was expressed normally, and there was restoration of membrane potential and the Kir7.1 current. Loss-of-function variants of Kir7.1 are one cause of LCA. Using either readthrough therapy or gene augmentation, we rescued Kir7.1 channel function in iPSC-RPE cells derived from an affected individual. This supports the development of precision-medicine approaches for the treatment of clinical LCA16.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan K Shahi
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; McPherson Eye Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Dalton Hermans
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Divya Sinha
- McPherson Eye Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Simran Brar
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Hannah Moulton
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Sabrina Stulo
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Katarzyna D Borys
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Elizabeth Capowski
- McPherson Eye Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - De-Ann M Pillers
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; McPherson Eye Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - David M Gamm
- McPherson Eye Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Bikash R Pattnaik
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; McPherson Eye Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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Prospects and modalities for the treatment of genetic ocular anomalies. Hum Genet 2019; 138:1019-1026. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-018-01968-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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A Mini Review: Moving iPSC-Derived Retinal Subtypes Forward for Clinical Applications for Retinal Degenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1185:557-561. [PMID: 31884670 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-27378-1_91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Patient-derived human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been critical in advancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of numerous retinal disorders. Many of these retinal disorders have no effective treatment and result in severe visual impairment and even blindness. Among the retinal degenerative diseases modeled by iPSCs are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). In addition to studying retinal disease ontogenesis and pathology, hiPSCs have clinical and pharmacological applications, such as developing drug screening and gene therapy approaches and new cell-based clinical treatments. Recent studies have primarily focused on three retinal cell fates - retinal pigmented epithelium cells (RPE), retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and photoreceptor cells - and have demonstrated that hiPSCs have great potential for increasing our knowledge of and developing treatments for retinal degenerative disorders.
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Dalvi S, Galloway CA, Singh R. Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model Degenerative Retinal Diseases: The RPE Perspective. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1186:1-31. [PMID: 31654384 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-28471-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cell technology, including human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), has provided a suitable platform to investigate molecular and pathological alterations in an individual cell type using patient's own cells. Importantly, hiPSCs/hESCs are amenable to genome editing providing unique access to isogenic controls. Specifically, the ability to introduce disease-causing mutations in control (unaffected) and conversely correct disease-causing mutations in patient-derived hiPSCs has provided a powerful approach to clearly link the disease phenotype with a specific gene mutation. In fact, utilizing hiPSC/hESC and CRISPR technology has provided significant insight into the pathomechanism of several diseases. With regard to the eye, the use of hiPSCs/hESCs to study human retinal diseases is especially relevant to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-based disorders. This is because several studies have now consistently shown that hiPSC-RPE in culture displays key physical, gene expression and functional attributes of human RPE in vivo. In this book chapter, we will discuss the current utility, limitations, and plausible future approaches of pluripotent stem cell technology for the study of retinal degenerative diseases. Of note, although we will broadly summarize the significant advances made in modeling and studying several retinal diseases utilizing hiPSCs/hESCs, our specific focus will be on the utility of patient-derived hiPSCs for (1) establishment of human cell models and (2) molecular and pharmacological studies on patient-derived cell models of retinal degenerative diseases where RPE cellular defects play a major pathogenic role in disease development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Dalvi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Chad A Galloway
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ruchira Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. .,UR Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Rochester, NY, USA. .,Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
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Hardcastle AJ, Sieving PA, Sahel JA, Jacobson SG, Cideciyan AV, Flannery JG, Beltran WA, Aguirre GD. Translational Retinal Research and Therapies. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2018; 7:8. [PMID: 30225158 PMCID: PMC6138060 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.7.5.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The following review summarizes the state of the art in representative aspects of gene therapy/translational medicine and evolves from a symposium held at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania on November 16, 2017 honoring Dr. Gustavo Aguirre, recipient of ARVO's 2017 Proctor Medal. Focusing on the retina, speakers highlighted current work on moving therapies for inherited retinal degenerative diseases from the laboratory bench to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul A Sieving
- Director, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Director of the UPMC Eye Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA and Director, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université-Inserm-CNRS, Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Paris, France
| | - Samuel G Jacobson
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Artur V Cideciyan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John G Flannery
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - William A Beltran
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gustavo D Aguirre
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Foltz LP, Clegg DO. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells for modelling genetic retinal dystrophies. Prog Retin Eye Res 2018; 68:54-66. [PMID: 30217765 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The human retina is a highly complex tissue that makes up an integral part of our central nervous system. It is astonishing that our retina works seamlessly to provide one of our most critical senses, and it is equally devastating when a disease destroys a portion of the retina and robs people of their vision. After decades of research, scientists are beginning to understand retinal cells in a way that can benefit the millions of individuals suffering from inherited blindness. This understanding has come about in part with the ability to culture human embryonic stem cells and the innovation of induced pluripotent stem cells, which can be cultured from patients and used to model their disease. In this review, we highlight the successes of specific disease modelling studies and resulting molecular discoveries. The greatest strides in cellular modelling have come from mutations in genes with established and well-understood cellular functions in the context of the retina. We believe that the future of cellular modelling depends on emphasising reproducible production of retinal cell types, demonstrating functional rescue using site-specific programmable nucleases, and shifting towards unbiased screening using next generation sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah P Foltz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
| | - Dennis O Clegg
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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41
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Dulla K, Aguila M, Lane A, Jovanovic K, Parfitt DA, Schulkens I, Chan HL, Schmidt I, Beumer W, Vorthoren L, Collin RWJ, Garanto A, Duijkers L, Brugulat-Panes A, Semo M, Vugler AA, Biasutto P, Adamson P, Cheetham ME. Splice-Modulating Oligonucleotide QR-110 Restores CEP290 mRNA and Function in Human c.2991+1655A>G LCA10 Models. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 12:730-740. [PMID: 30114557 PMCID: PMC6092551 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leber congenital amaurosis type 10 (LCA10) is a severe inherited retinal dystrophy associated with mutations in CEP290. The deep intronic c.2991+1655A>G mutation in CEP290 is the most common mutation in LCA10 individuals and represents an ideal target for oligonucleotide therapeutics. Here, a panel of antisense oligonucleotides was designed to correct the splicing defect associated with the mutation and screened for efficacy and safety. This identified QR-110 as the best-performing molecule. QR-110 restored wild-type CEP290 mRNA and protein expression levels in CEP290 c.2991+1655A>G homozygous and compound heterozygous LCA10 primary fibroblasts. Furthermore, in homozygous three-dimensional iPSC-derived retinal organoids, QR-110 showed a dose-dependent restoration of mRNA and protein function, as measured by percentage and length of photoreceptor cilia, without off-target effects. Localization studies in wild-type mice and rabbits showed that QR-110 readily reached all retinal layers, with an estimated half-life of 58 days. It was well tolerated following intravitreal injection in monkeys. In conclusion, the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and safety properties make QR-110 a promising candidate for treating LCA10, and clinical development is currently ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rob W J Collin
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lonneke Duijkers
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Peter Adamson
- ProQR Therapeutics, Leiden, the Netherlands; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
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Patrício MI, Barnard AR, Xue K, MacLaren RE. Choroideremia: molecular mechanisms and development of AAV gene therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018; 18:807-820. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1484448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria I Patrício
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Alun R Barnard
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Kanmin Xue
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Oxford, UK
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Song JY, Aravand P, Nikonov S, Leo L, Lyubarsky A, Bennicelli JL, Pan J, Wei Z, Shpylchak I, Herrera P, Bennett DJ, Commins N, Maguire AM, Pham J, den Hollander AI, Cremers FPM, Koenekoop RK, Roepman R, Nishina P, Zhou S, Pan W, Ying GS, Aleman TS, de Melo J, McNamara I, Sun J, Mills J, Bennett J. Amelioration of Neurosensory Structure and Function in Animal and Cellular Models of a Congenital Blindness. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1581-1593. [PMID: 29673930 PMCID: PMC5986734 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Most genetically distinct inherited retinal degenerations are primary photoreceptor degenerations. We selected a severe early onset form of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), caused by mutations in the gene LCA5, in order to test the efficacy of gene augmentation therapy for a ciliopathy. The LCA5-encoded protein, Lebercilin, is essential for the trafficking of proteins and vesicles to the photoreceptor outer segment. Using the AAV serotype AAV7m8 to deliver a human LCA5 cDNA into an Lca5 null mouse model of LCA5, we show partial rescue of retinal structure and visual function. Specifically, we observed restoration of rod-and-cone-driven electroretinograms in about 25% of injected eyes, restoration of pupillary light responses in the majority of treated eyes, an ∼20-fold decrease in target luminance necessary for visually guided behavior, and improved retinal architecture following gene transfer. Using LCA5 patient-derived iPSC-RPEs, we show that delivery of the LCA5 cDNA restores lebercilin protein and rescues cilia quantity. The results presented in this study support a path forward aiming to develop safety and efficacy trials for gene augmentation therapy in human subjects with LCA5 mutations. They also provide the framework for measuring the effects of intervention in ciliopathies and other severe, early-onset blinding conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yun Song
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Puya Aravand
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sergei Nikonov
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Vision Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lanfranco Leo
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Arkady Lyubarsky
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Vision Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jeannette L Bennicelli
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jieyan Pan
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhangyong Wei
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ivan Shpylchak
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pamela Herrera
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel J Bennett
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicoletta Commins
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Albert M Maguire
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Pham
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anneke I den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Frans P M Cremers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert K Koenekoop
- McGill Ocular Genetics Center, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ronald Roepman
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Shangzhen Zhou
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wei Pan
- Penn Vision Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman, Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - Gui-Shuang Ying
- Penn Vision Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Preventive Ophthalmology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tomas S Aleman
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jimmy de Melo
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ilan McNamara
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Junwei Sun
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jason Mills
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jean Bennett
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Vision Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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The effect of PTC124 on choroideremia fibroblasts and iPSC-derived RPE raises considerations for therapy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8234. [PMID: 29844446 PMCID: PMC5974348 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26481-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are caused by mutations in over 200 genes, resulting in a range of therapeutic options. Translational read-through inducing drugs (TRIDs) offer the possibility of treating multiple IRDs regardless of the causative gene. TRIDs promote ribosomal misreading of premature stop codons, which results in the incorporation of a near-cognate amino acid to produce a full-length protein. The IRD choroideremia (CHM) is a pertinent candidate for TRID therapy, as nonsense variants cause 30% of cases. Recently, treatment of the UAA nonsense-carrying CHM zebrafish model with the TRID PTC124 corrected the underlying biochemical defect and improved retinal phenotype. To be clinically relevant, we studied PTC124 efficiency in UAA nonsense-carrying human fibroblasts and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium, as well as in a UAA-mutated CHM overexpression system. We showed that PTC124 treatment induces a non-significant trend for functional rescue, which could not be improved by nonsense-mediated decay inhibition. Furthermore, it does not produce a detectable CHM-encoded protein even when coupled with a proteasome inhibitor. We suggest that drug efficiency may depend upon on the target amino acid and its evolutionary conservation, and argue that patient cells should be screened in vitro prior to inclusion in a clinical trial.
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Artero Castro A, Lukovic D, Jendelova P, Erceg S. Concise Review: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Stem Cells 2018; 36:474-481. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.2783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Artero Castro
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
- National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Biomolecular and Bioinformatics Resources Platform PRB2; ISCIII, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
| | - Dunja Lukovic
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
- National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Biomolecular and Bioinformatics Resources Platform PRB2; ISCIII, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Tissue Cultures and Stem Cells; Czech Academy of Sciences; Prague Czech Republic
| | - Slaven Erceg
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
- National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Biomolecular and Bioinformatics Resources Platform PRB2; ISCIII, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Tissue Cultures and Stem Cells; Czech Academy of Sciences; Prague Czech Republic
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Thompson JA, De Roach JN, McLaren TL, Lamey TM. A Mini-Review: Leber Congenital Amaurosis: Identification of Disease-Causing Variants and Personalised Therapies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1074:265-271. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75402-4_32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Forsythe E, Kenny J, Bacchelli C, Beales PL. Managing Bardet-Biedl Syndrome-Now and in the Future. Front Pediatr 2018; 6:23. [PMID: 29487844 PMCID: PMC5816783 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2018.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive multisystem disorder caused by defects in genes encoding for proteins that localize to the primary cilium/basal body complex. Twenty-one disease-causing genes have been identified to date. It is one of the most well-studied conditions in the family of diseases caused by defective cilia collectively known as ciliopathies. In this review, we provide an update on diagnostic developments, clinical features, and progress in the management of Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Advances in diagnostic technologies including exome and whole genome sequencing are expanding the spectrum of patients who are diagnosed with Bardet-Biedl syndrome and increasing the number of cases with diagnostic uncertainty. As a result of the diagnostic developments, a small number of patients with only one or two clinical features of Bardet-Biedl syndrome are being diagnosed. Our understanding of the syndrome-associated renal disease has evolved and is reviewed here. Novel interventions are developing at a rapid pace and are explored in this review including genetic therapeutics such as gene therapy, exon skipping therapy, nonsense suppression therapy, and gene editing. Other non-genetic therapies such as gene repurposing, targeted therapies, and non-pharmacological interventions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Forsythe
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Kenny
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Bacchelli
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip L Beales
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Scanga HL, Nischal KK. Overarching Concepts and Mechanisms Affecting Phenotypes of Ocular Genetic Conditions. CURRENT GENETIC MEDICINE REPORTS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40142-017-0128-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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El Shamieh S, Méjécase C, Bertelli M, Terray A, Michiels C, Condroyer C, Fouquet S, Sadoun M, Clérin E, Liu B, Léveillard T, Goureau O, Sahel JA, Audo I, Zeitz C. Further Insights into the Ciliary Gene and Protein KIZ and Its Murine Ortholog PLK1S1 Mutated in Rod-Cone Dystrophy. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8100277. [PMID: 29057815 PMCID: PMC5664127 DOI: 10.3390/genes8100277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified herein additional patients with rod-cone dystrophy (RCD) displaying mutations in KIZ, encoding the ciliary centrosomal protein kizuna and performed functional characterization of the respective protein in human fibroblasts and of its mouse ortholog PLK1S1 in the retina. Mutation screening was done by targeted next generation sequencing and subsequent Sanger sequencing validation. KIZ mRNA levels were assessed on blood and serum-deprived human fibroblasts from a control individual and a patient, compound heterozygous for the c.52G>T (p.Glu18*) and c.119_122del (p.Lys40Ilefs*14) mutations in KIZ. KIZ localization, documentation of cilium length and immunoblotting were performed in these two fibroblast cell lines. In addition, PLK1S1 immunolocalization was conducted in mouse retinal cryosections and isolated rod photoreceptors. Analyses of additional RCD patients enabled the identification of two homozygous mutations in KIZ, the known c.226C>T (p.Arg76*) mutation and a novel variant, the c.3G>A (p.Met1?) mutation. Albeit the expression levels of KIZ were three-times lower in the patient than controls in whole blood cells, further analyses in control- and mutant KIZ patient-derived fibroblasts unexpectedly revealed no significant difference between the two genotypes. Furthermore, the averaged monocilia length in the two fibroblast cell lines was similar, consistent with the preserved immunolocalization of KIZ at the basal body of the primary cilia. Analyses in mouse retina and isolated rod photoreceptors showed PLK1S1 localization at the base of the photoreceptor connecting cilium. In conclusion, two additional patients with mutations in KIZ were identified, further supporting that defects in KIZ/PLK1S1, detected at the basal body of the primary cilia in fibroblasts, and the photoreceptor connecting cilium in mouse, respectively, are involved in RCD. However, albeit the mutations were predicted to lead to nonsense mediated mRNA decay, we could not detect changes upon expression levels, protein localization or cilia length in KIZ-mutated fibroblast cells. Together, our findings unveil the limitations of fibroblasts as a cellular model for RCD and call for other models such as induced pluripotent stem cells to shed light on retinal pathogenic mechanisms of KIZ mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Said El Shamieh
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, 115020 Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Cécile Méjécase
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | | | - Angélique Terray
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Christelle Michiels
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Christel Condroyer
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Stéphane Fouquet
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Maxime Sadoun
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Emmanuelle Clérin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Binqian Liu
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Thierry Léveillard
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Olivier Goureau
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DHOS CIC 1423, 75012 Paris, France.
- Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France.
- Académie des Sciences-Institut de France, 75006 Paris, France.
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburg, PA 15213, USA.
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College of London, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.
| | - Isabelle Audo
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
- Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DHOS CIC 1423, 75012 Paris, France.
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College of London, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.
| | - Christina Zeitz
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM U968, CNRS UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France.
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Thompson JA, De Roach JN, McLaren TL, Montgomery HE, Hoffmann LH, Campbell IR, Chen FK, Mackey DA, Lamey TM. The genetic profile of Leber congenital amaurosis in an Australian cohort. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2017; 5:652-667. [PMID: 29178642 PMCID: PMC5702575 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a severe visual impairment responsible for infantile blindness, representing ~5% of all inherited retinal dystrophies. LCA encompasses a group of heterogeneous disorders, with 24 genes currently implicated in pathogenesis. Such clinical and genetic heterogeneity poses great challenges for treatment, with personalized therapies anticipated to be the best treatment candidates. Unraveling the individual genetic etiology of disease is a prerequisite for personalized therapies, and could identify potential treatment candidates, inform patient management, and discriminate syndromic forms of disease. Methods We have genetically analyzed 45 affected and 82 unaffected individuals from 34 unrelated LCA pedigrees using predominantly next‐generation sequencing and Array CGH technology. Results We present the molecular findings for an Australian LCA cohort, sourced from the Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry & DNA Bank. CEP290 and GUCY2D mutations, each represent 19% of unrelated LCA cases, followed by NMNAT1 (12%). Genetic subtypes were consistent with other reports, and were resolved in 90% of this cohort. Conclusion The high resolution rate achieved, equivalent to recent findings using whole exome/genome sequencing, reflects the progression from hypothesis (LCA Panel) to non‐hypothesis (RD Panel) testing and, coupled with Array CGH analysis, is a highly effective first‐tier test for LCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Thompson
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - John N De Roach
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Terri L McLaren
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Hannah E Montgomery
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ling H Hoffmann
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Isabella R Campbell
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Fred K Chen
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David A Mackey
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tina M Lamey
- Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Registry and DNA Bank, Department of Medical Technology and Physics, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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