Self-complementary AAV-mediated gene therapy restores cone function and prevents cone degeneration in two models of Rpe65 deficiency.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2010
Keywords
Carrier-Proteins, Dependovirus, Disease-Models-Animal, Eye-Proteins, Gene-Therapy, Genetic-Vectors, Mice, Optic-Atrophy-Hereditary-Leber, Retinal-Cone-Photoreceptor-Cells, Retinal-Degeneration
First Page
815
Last Page
826
JAX Location
see Reprint collection
JAX Source
Gene Ther 2010 Jul; 17(7):815-26.
Abstract
To test whether fast-acting, self-complimentary (sc), adeno-associated virus-mediated RPE65 expression prevents cone degeneration and/or restores cone function, we studied two mouse lines: the Rpe65-deficient rd12 mouse and the Rpe65-deficient, rhodopsin null ('that is, cone function-only') Rpe65(-/-)::Rho(-/-) mouse. scAAV5 expressing RPE65 was injected subretinally into one eye of rd12 and Rpe65(-/-)::Rho(-/-) mice at postnatal day 14 (P14). Contralateral rd12 eyes were injected later, at P35. Rd12 behavioral testing revealed that rod vision loss was prevented with either P14 or P35 treatment, whereas cone vision was only detected after P14 treatment. Consistent with this observation, P35 treatment only restored rod electroretinogram (ERG) signals, a result likely due to reduced cone densities at this time point. For Rpe65(-/-)::Rho(-/-) mice in which there is no confounding rod contribution to the ERG signal, cone cells and cone-mediated ERGs were also maintained with treatment at P14. This work establishes that a self-complimentary AAV5 vector can restore substantial visual function in two genetically distinct models of Rpe65 deficiency within 4 days of treatment. In addition, this therapy prevents cone degeneration but only if administered before extensive cone degeneration, thus supporting continuation of current Leber's congenital amaurosis-2 clinical trials with an added emphasis on cone subtype analysis and early intervention.
Recommended Citation
Pang J,
Boye SE,
Umino Y,
Alexander J,
Li J,
Dai X,
Li Q,
Chang B,
et a.
Self-complementary AAV-mediated gene therapy restores cone function and prevents cone degeneration in two models of Rpe65 deficiency. Gene Ther 2010 Jul; 17(7):815-26.