Summary: Researchers use gene editing to reverse cell degeneration and restore vision in mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa.
Source: UCSD.
In mouse models, advanced gene editing tool reprogrammed photoreceptor rods to mutation-resistant cones.
Using the gene-editing tool CRISPR/Cas9, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego Health, with colleagues in China, have reprogrammed mutated rod photoreceptors to become functioning cone photoreceptors, reversing cellular degeneration and restoring visual function in two mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa.
The findings are published in the April 21 advance online issue of Cell Research.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited vision disorders caused by numerous mutations in more than 60 genes. The mutations affect the eyes’ photoreceptors, specialized cells in the retina that sense and convert light images into electrical signals sent to the brain. There are two types: rod cells that function for night vision and peripheral vision, and cone cells that provide central vision (visual acuity) and discern color. The human retina typically contains 120 million rod cells and 6 million cone cells.
In RP, which affects approximately 100,000 Americans and 1 in 4,000 persons worldwide, rod-specific genetic mutations cause rod photoreceptor cells to dysfunction and degenerate over time. Initial symptoms are loss of peripheral and night vision, followed by diminished visual acuity and color perception as cone cells also begin to fail and die. There is no treatment for RP. The eventual result may be legal blindness.
In their published research, a team led by senior author Kang Zhang, MD, PhD, chief of ophthalmic genetics, founding director of the Institute for Genomic Medicine and co-director of biomaterials and tissue engineering at the Institute of Engineering in Medicine, both at UC San Diego School of Medicine, used CRISPR/Cas9 to deactivate a master switch gene called Nrl and a downstream transcription factor called Nr2e3.
CRISPR, which stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, allows researchers to target specific stretches of genetic code and edit DNA at precise locations, modifying select gene functions. Deactivating either Nrl or Nr2e3 reprogrammed rod cells to become cone cells.
“Cone cells are less vulnerable to the genetic mutations that cause RP,” said Zhang. “Our strategy was to use gene therapy to make the underlying mutations irrelevant, resulting in the preservation of tissue and vision.”
The scientists tested their approach in two different mouse models of RP. In both cases, they found an abundance of reprogrammed cone cells and preserved cellular architecture in the retinas.
Electroretinography testing of rod and cone receptors in live mice show improved function.
Zhang said a recent independent study led by Zhijian Wu, PhD, at National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, also reached similar conclusions.
The researchers used adeno-associated virus (AAV) to perform the gene therapy, which they said should help advance their work to human clinical trials quicker. “AAV is a common cold virus and has been used in many successful gene therapy treatments with a relatively good safely profile,” said Zhang. “Human clinical trials could be planned soon after completion of preclinical study. There is no treatment for RP so the need is great and pressing. In addition, our approach of reprogramming mutation-sensitive cells to mutation-resistant cells may have broader application to other human diseases, including cancer.”
Co-authors include: Jie Zhu and Xin Fu, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center; Chang Ming, Duc Ahn Hoang and Wenjun Xiong, City University of Hong Kong; Yaou Duan, Jeffrey Rutgard, Runze Zhang, Wenqui Wang, Daniel Zhang, Edward Zhang and Charlotte Zhang, Shiley Eye Institute, Institute for Engineering in Medicine and Institute for Genomic Medicine, UC San Diego; Rui Hou, Guangzhou KangRui Biological Pharmaceutical Technology Company; Xiaoke Hao, Fourth Military Medical University; and the Eye Gene Therapy Consortium.
Funding: Funding for this research came, in part, from the Richard Annesser Fund, the Dick and Carol Hertzberg Fund, the National Basic Research Program of China, Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China, Hon Kong General Research Fund and Early Career Scheme and Shenzhen Science and Technology Fund.
Source: Scott LaFee – UCSD
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is credited to National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, UC San Diego.
Original Research: Full open access research for “Gene and mutation independent therapy via CRISPR-Cas9 mediated cellular reprogramming in rod photoreceptors” by Jie Zhu, Chang Ming, Xin Fu, Yaou Duan, Duc Anh Hoang, Jeffrey Rutgard, Runze Zhang, Wenqiu Wang, Rui Hou, Daniel Zhang, Edward Zhang, Charlotte Zhang, Xiaoke Hao, Wenjun Xiong & Kang Zhang in Cell Research. Published online April 21 2017 doi:10.1038/cr.2017.57
[cbtabs][cbtab title=”MLA”]UCSD “Using CRISPR to Reverse Retinitis Pigmentosa and Restore Visual Function.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 21 April 2017.
<https://neurosciencenews.com/crispr-retinitis-pigmentosa-6471/>.[/cbtab][cbtab title=”APA”]UCSD (2017, April 21). Using CRISPR to Reverse Retinitis Pigmentosa and Restore Visual Function. NeuroscienceNew. Retrieved April 21, 2017 from https://neurosciencenews.com/crispr-retinitis-pigmentosa-6471/[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Chicago”]UCSD “Using CRISPR to Reverse Retinitis Pigmentosa and Restore Visual Function.” https://neurosciencenews.com/crispr-retinitis-pigmentosa-6471/ (accessed April 21, 2017).[/cbtab][/cbtabs]
Abstract
Gene and mutation independent therapy via CRISPR-Cas9 mediated cellular reprogramming in rod photoreceptors
We report a gene therapy strategy using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated cellular reprogramming by switching a mutation-venerable/sensitive cell type to a mutation-insensitive/resistant cell type, therefore restoring tissue architecture and function. We applied this strategy to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a major cause of blindness characterized by retinal rod photoreceptor degeneration caused by numerous mutations in many genes. By reprogramming rod to cone-like photoreceptors in situ by inactivating Nrl or Nr2e3, we show an increase in cone-like cells with remarkable concomitant preservation of both cone and rod photoreceptors and retinal tissue, with restoration of visual function. Our approach demonstrates the feasibility of cellular reprogramming in preventing degeneration and preserving tissue and function, and points to a novel approach in treating human diseases in a gene and mutation independent manner.
“Gene and mutation independent therapy via CRISPR-Cas9 mediated cellular reprogramming in rod photoreceptors” by Jie Zhu, Chang Ming, Xin Fu, Yaou Duan, Duc Anh Hoang, Jeffrey Rutgard, Runze Zhang, Wenqiu Wang, Rui Hou, Daniel Zhang, Edward Zhang, Charlotte Zhang, Xiaoke Hao, Wenjun Xiong & Kang Zhang in Cell Research. Published online April 21 2017 doi:10.1038/cr.2017.57
